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Toyota Yaris Cross vs Ssangyong Tivoli

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Toyota Yaris Cross
Toyota Yaris Cross

$26,989 - $49,990

2023 price

Ssangyong Tivoli
Ssangyong Tivoli

2019 price

Summary

2023 Toyota Yaris Cross
2019 Ssangyong Tivoli
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 3, 1.5L

Diesel Turbo 4, 1.6L
Fuel Type
Unleaded Petrol/Electric

Diesel
Fuel Efficiency
3.8L/100km (combined)

5.5L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Firm ride
  • Could use more power
  • Flimsy mesh luggage compartment cover

  • Boot could be more useful
  • Divisive rear styling
  • Still some naff interior bits
2023 Toyota Yaris Cross Summary

The Yaris Cross is a good example of great timing.

Jacking up a small/supermini-sized wagon is hardly original, as the 2000s Peugeot 207 Outdoor proved. It bombed locally, and there were others too, probably, that never even reached our ears, let alone our shores. The point is, this seemed like a niche too far.

Not to Toyota, though. Sure, its Yaris has long included tallish wagon offshoots elsewhere, with names like Verso and Ractis. But it took a redesign that included a Subaru Outback-esque makeover, the telling 'Cross' badge and hybrid with available all-wheel drive (AWD) options to get buyers interested.

As wait times stretch to a year and beyond, now there's a "thrilling" (according to the press release) GR (for Gazoo Racing) Sport Hybrid addition, for those who seek their compact crossovers in racy eco tracksuit couture.

Can the Yaris Cross pull it off? Let's find out.

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2019 Ssangyong Tivoli Summary

Did you know SsangYong translates to ‘Double Dragon’?

How friggin’ cool is that? Far cooler, at least, than the Korean brand’s history, which the word ‘tumultuous’ barely begins to cover.

After years of ownership woes and a near-bankruptcy, the brand came out the other side with enough stability to field a range of new vehicles, courtesy of its ambitious new owners - Indian giant Mahindra & Mahindra.

The Tivoli small SUV is the first car to launch under the new, cashed-up leadership and when it landed in Korea in 2015 it was solely responsible for the ‘Double Dragon’ brand turning its first profit in nine years.

Fast forward a few years, and a re-booted SsangYong is again confident enough to enter the Australian market, with a four-pronged, all-new SUV assault.

So, does the Tivoli have what it takes to break into our highly competitive small-SUV scene and help SsangYong pull a miraculous Korean turn-around, a-la-Hyundai?

I spent a week in the mid-spec Tivoli ELX diesel to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Toyota Yaris Cross 2019 Ssangyong Tivoli

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