New Toyota compact SUV all but confirmed for Oz
Budget-priced, Yaris-based baby SUV could be a top-seller Down UnderIt may have been due to make its global debut at the cancelled Geneva motor show earlier this month, but it seems Toyota is still fine-tuning its all-new small SUV based on the latest Yaris.
As you can see from these fresh spy shots, Toyota’s as-yet-unnamed compact SUV continues to undergo final testing in the arctic circle, where a raised ride height lurks beneath this jacked-up prototype wearing a Yaris hatch body.
And the good news is the new city-SUV is almost certain to come to Australia – either late this year or in early 2021 – following its official reveal in the next couple of months.
"It's a model we know was going to be launched at Geneva and we're figuring out our launch plans," a Toyota Australia spokesperson told carsales.
As we understand it, Toyota’s new B-segment SUV will be shown as a 'production concept' that will be very close to the production vehicle, albeit with a few additions such as chunkier wheels and tyres.
Several official teasers released previously – including this sketch and a shot of its rear-end – confirm the model will wear unique sheet metal that blends design elements of the larger C-HR and RAV4.
Like rivals such as the Hyundai Venue and the upcoming Kia Stonic, which is also due here late this year, Australian pricing for the new model could slip in at under $20,000.
That could make it one of Toyota's top-selling vehicles – both in Australia and globally – given the Corolla starts from $23,335 and the C-HR from $29,540.
However, the Japanese brand’s cheapest model will remain the new Yaris hatch, which was due on sale here in May but might not be launched here until August.
The new SUV model is based on the same TNGA-B platform as the Yaris, which means it will share most of its hardware including 1.5-litre petrol and hybrid engines, paired with an automatic (CVT) transmission and both front and all-wheel drive layouts.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be standard and a fancy new 10-inch touch-screen infotainment system will be offered, but whether this is standard on all models is not known.
Australian versions of the new SUV are expected to be built in Japan.
Stay tuned for the full reveal of Toyota's important new compact SUV.
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