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MOTORING F


or those who remember Toyota’s Yaris as a small economical hatchback it may come as somewhat of a shock at the number of variants now bearing


the Yaris name. However, it certainly hasn’t lost its appeal as an economical hatchback of choice. It has just got significantly trendier, and in the case of Yaris GR considerably more sporting. In addition to the standard, lead-in Yaris model with


5-doors, 1.5-litre petrol engine and prices starting from £20,820, there’s the Yaris Cross which offers a crossover style from £23,280 and then the barnstorming 257bhp GR Yaris from £31,120. However, it’s the Yaris Cross that’s the focus of our attention in this review. One friend described the Yaris Cross as looking like


a friendly chipmunk from the front! Whatever your particular view, styling is very subjective, the Yaris Cross looks sharp and modern and more distinctive than many of its competitors. Power in all models is via a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine mated to an automatic transmission. It also benefits from a 59kwh electric motor to boost power and reduce emissions. You have an all-wheel-drive option on one trim level and, although not for true mud-plugging, snowy roads and the local village fete should prove no problem thanks to high ground clearance and that all-wheel- drive. Standard fare across the line-up includes keyless


entry and start, adaptive cruise control, reversing camera, automatic air conditioning and a multi-media system with Apple Car Play and Android Auto with


ROAD TESTS BY MARK SLACK


SHARP, MODERN AND DISTINCTIVE TOYOTA YARIS CROSS


Bluetooth. There’s a good range of paint choices available as options, various optional packs as well as individual items like a rather splendid panoramic roof at a not unreasonable £330. Inside, the Yaris Cross has a smart and functional look with what seems to be a very good build quality throughout. There are also still physical knobs for the climate control and buttons for major controls. Hurrah! A decent on road ride allows for pretty good handling and while the CVT gearbox does occasionally get gruff, it’s a lot better than many I have tried and is, for the most part, quite refined. The performance isn’t anything like hot hatch territory but the Yaris manages to be fun and you’ll have no problem keeping up on the motorway and nipping past slower traffic on A roads. If you’re looking for something a little funky, but with mainstream reliability and practicality, then the Yaris Cross is a perfect choice!


RENAULT ARKANA I


A DASH OF STYLE WITH THIS NEW COUPE CROSSOVER


ts looks are more coupé crossover - think slimmed down BMW X6 - but Renault’s new Arkana certainly adds a dash of style with my test model looking


particularly stylish thanks to its splendid Zanzibar Blue paint finish. Prices start at £26,290 for the lead-in Iconic model,


with two further trim levels and two engines, offering mild hybrid and full hybrid powertrains. The 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol unit develops 138hp and has a 7-speed dual clutch automatic, while the more


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