Toyota Corolla Cross 1,8 Hybrid XS CVT

With the fuel price skyrocketing, a compact, hybrid SUV couldn't come at a better time for Toyota. But that's not the only reason it deserves your attention

- By Ray Leathern, Nikesh Kooverjee, Damian Adams

When it comes to the new-car market, Toyota South Africa seems to be telepathic. If there is a customer want and a segment that needs exploring, you can bet your bottom ZAR that it knows about it and will explore the opportunity to the maximum.

This is the case with the all-new Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid, manufactured in Prospecton, Durban - thanks to billions of investment in the factory - and it is the first dual-energy Toyota has built in South Africa. In one clean swoop, it targets three key areas.

Firstly, it capitalizes on the ever-growing SUV craze. We can all agree to the yardstick for what defines an SUV has shifted and prerequisites like ample ground clearance and four-wheel drive no longer apply. Instead, consumers are after a slightly taller driving position and extra practicality.

Secondly, with the fuel price showing volatility like never before, consumers are looking for something that won't break the bank at every fill-up, and, in theory at least, a hybrid promises maximum mileage per tank.

Thirdly, people are buying cars less often and, as a result, they're holding onto them for longer, so reliability and resale value are top of mind, too. With the Corolla nameplate, you've got 50+ years of heritage and proven mechanicals that have been doing the rounds for years.