The new Toyota Yaris Cross is already a reality, but who does it go up against?

Toyota promised some time ago that we would soon meet a new city SUV based on the Yaris, one that would arrive ready to revolutionise the segment. A few months later and despite the circumstances we are living through, the Japanese firm delivered with the Yaris Cross, a small SUV that promises to become a real bestseller thanks to the combination of a striking design with an economical, low-emission hybrid setup. However, the segment in which Toyota’s new offering sits is very crowded, so who does the Yaris Cross really compete with?

And while this new offspring of Toyota arrives with considerable force, rival brands have made good use of the time during the Japanese brand’s lull. With this in mind, it is easy to have serious doubts when choosing one of the B-SUVs, a segment that aims to bring together many positive qualities in a single vehicle.

SEAT Arona

SEAT was one of the pioneers in this segment, and with the Arona it set out to achieve success among city SUVs. Thanks to a fresh, contemporary design, the Spanish model becomes one of the most interesting options in the sector, something that is also boosted by cutting-edge technology and a value for money that is hard to beat.

Only an interior design and somewhat cheap-feeling materials make the Arona lose ground to some rivals, but these details are quickly offset by a generous engine range. Although the home-grown SUV has no conventional hybrid variants in its powertrain line-up, it does offer a TGI version that combines CNG with petrol, a very interesting option that will allow its owners to save a significant amount of money.

Kia Stonic

Kia has been holding its ground for several years thanks to a renewed range of models that has managed to win over a broad public. The Korean firm has kept its attractive prices intact despite improving technology, design and quality, a formula that allows it to reach the highest rungs of the market.

The Stonic is a clear example of this, a model that positions itself as one of the best-selling B-SUVs. A fresh, contemporary design, the latest technology and an engine range capable of meeting the needs of almost any type of customer; although, it must be said, a hybrid version would be needed to seriously challenge the new Yaris Cross.

Hyundai Kona

Hyundai has applied a very similar recipe to its compatriots, only topping it off with hybrid, electric and PHEV versions. In this way, the Korean firm finds itself in one of the best positions to try to curb the success already being predicted for the Yaris Cross.

It will attempt to do so with the Kona, a model that offers almost the same qualities as the Japanese car and allows it to compete head to head on a fairer footing. The Koreans offer several powertrains for their city SUV, among which the hybrid and the electric stand out, the latter being an unknown within the Yaris Cross range.