The Yaris Cross is a chunky Yaris SUV

Toyota is promising an authentic SUV and a first-in-class hybrid drivetrain for its long-awaited compact crossover. And first look says the newcomer delivers the tough looks and robust nature that characterise the breed while being clearly Yaris related, as its name suggests.

Designed and developed for Europe and to be made alongside the hatchbacks in the Yaris factory in France, it shares a lot including a new platform with its namesake, while having ambitions to be more than just jumped-up supermini.

A 1.5-litre, three-cylinder hybridised drivetrain with 114bhp, a fourth-generation version of that used in the Yaris Hybrid on sale since 2012, is the engine of choice here. It powers the front wheels via a CVT automatic transmission but optionally will be available in intelligent all-wheel-drive form. Toyota says this “self-charging” mild hybrid will help make the Yaris Cross achieve better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions than any of its all-wheel-drive competitors.

The body rides 30mm higher than the Yaris, for more ground clearance as well as a more elevated driving position. There’s more cabin room (the body is 240mm longer than the hatch), larger wheels (up to 18 inches) and SUV-like touches of practicality include power tailgate and adjustable boot. With the AWD model, torque is delivered to the rear wheels via an electric system only when traction is lost. “Authentic SUV” then is a relative term that, while unlikely to impress Land Cruiser owners, is par for the baby SUV class.

As Toyota admits and as Nissan has proven with its Juke, the burgeoning models that compete here are far more about SUV style than substance. And with its black roof, sculpted body, chunky black sills and squared-off wheelarch extensions, the Yaris Cross should look the part.

It might arrive 26 years after Toyota pioneered the compact crossover segment with the original RAV4, but the Japanese giant is clearly out to make up for lost time, with plans to crank it out at a rate of 150,000 a year. But while the world debut is in 2020 the car won’t arrive in showrooms until 2021. There’s no price indication yet but this class of car starts around £17,000 while the Yaris Hybrid costs £20,000.

Let us all keep our fingers crossed that a GR version won’t be too far behind…