Comparison of compact SUVs with a touch of hybrid

Compact SUVs are taking the new car market by storm as they tick lots of boxes in terms of styling, driving position and ease of use. Toyota’s Yaris Cross is the current best-seller in the market, and Ireland’s fifth best-selling car so far in 2024.

The Yaris Cross is also a self-charging hybrid car. There are a few other options around this engine type that deliver good fuel economy without the need for regular plug-in charging.

For this article, we compare that best-selling Yaris Cross with its related and more expensive Lexus LBX and the newly arrived Jeep Avenger Hybrid.

To start with, all three are self-charging hybrids. In all cases, a neat three-cylinder petrol engine drives the car some of the time, while also charging a large battery pack for full electric driving at slower speeds when in towns and cities.

Toyota Yaris Cross

The Toyota Yaris Cross has been a best-seller in the market for at least two years and the latest generation has delivered improved economy.

The car that I have used in this comparison is the one in our own family and it has consistently lived up to my expectations. This car is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine matched to a hybrid drive.

The car has delivered a regular 750km range from the 35-litre fuel tank, which is impressive after 60,000km on the road.

This engine is matched on a continuously variable transmission type (CVT) gearbox that’s easy to use but can be a little noisy at times. You’ll notice the engine rev up as you accelerate fast. Once the car is warmed up and on the road, it quickly and seamlessly evens out and the drive is very relaxing.

Newer versions of the Yaris Cross come with an upgraded dashboard that includes improved infotainment screen, while tactile buttons are retained for some of the controls, including the heating system. Toyota also claims better economy in the 2024 versions.

The Yaris Cross is a little tight in terms of rear legroom, but has good and deep boot space that also includes a spare wheel. Driving position is good and the controls are functional and easy to manage with Apple CarPlay delivered only through a USB cable. Entry prices start at €31,005 or £25,500 in Northern Ireland.

Lexus LBX

The Lexus LBX offers a more luxurious option in a compact SUV. The car uses basically the same engine and drive system as the Toyota Yaris Cross, with an extra touch of luxury in terms of seating and some controls.

My test drive with the Lexus LBX required a different driving style to what has become normal for me (rarely crossing the 100km/hr mark on the speedometer). This delivered a poorer fuel economy result that I would have expected, but I’ll take most of the blame for that as the car’s theoretical economy figure should compare well with the Yaris Cross.

The Lexus LBX has a smoother and quieter power delivery than the Yaris Cross even though it uses the same engine and transmission system.

The Lexus LBX shares tight rear legroom with the Yaris Cross, while the boot space is smaller. There’s a novel door opening system that you need to be told about, or else you’ll get cranky with the entry and exit from the car.

The interior of the car is very stylish with an abundance of leather-like finishes. The controls are more digital than those of the Yaris Cross and Apple CarPlay is an easy setup Bluetooth option on a larger central infotainment screen that is predominantly a touchscreen unit.

Entry prices start at €36,675 or £29,995 in Northern Ireland, so it’s more expensive than the Yaris Cross without any obvious performance benefits, while having less boot space.

Jeep Avenger

The new Jeep Avenger is a small SUV that has few traces of its American off-road heritage other than the badge. One of few hints to that heritage is the optional Selec-Terrain transmission that offers some additional traction for either mud or snow driving conditions.

While it uses similar on-the-move charging from its petrol engine to deliver on its hybrid promise, it is there the similarities end. The only hint of this hybrid is in terms of almost silent low-speed electric power and some fuel economy benefits but they are not particularly outstanding.

Over a variety of testing conditions, my performance delivered almost 710km from a full 35-litre petrol tank.

The 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine is quiet and able to provide reasonable and smooth acceleration that gets an electric power boost, if needed.

Jeep as an off-road brand has excelled when the going gets tough. This small SUV is not for those heavy-duty conditions; it needs more than a badge to do that.

For some who yearn to drive a true Jeep as against an SUV and where that name badge means something, this new e-Avenger might provide some satisfaction and entitlement to be called a true Jeep driver. Entry prices start midway between the Toyota Yaris and the Lexus LBX at €33,995 or £25,995 in Northern Ireland.

The Toyota Yaris Cross still comes out on top for economy, ease of driving due to good visibility and it has the edge when it comes to boot space and entry price.

Close rival

The Jeep Avenger is a close rival; it has a good driving feel with slightly lower fuel economy levels and a larger boot, without a spare wheel included.

The Lexus LBX offers the luxury that goes with the higher price, even though the Yaris Cross can deliver lower ownership costs. That Yaris Cross success is partly due to its popularity; the car is much sought after in the secondhand market.