Toyota SUVs Discover the Toyota SUV range and compare new and leasing deals

You don’t become one of the world’s largest carmakers by starving buyers of choice, and so it’s no surprise that Toyota, one of the biggest manufacturers in the business, offers an extensive range of SUV models. Whether you’re after something small and compact for shopping trips and the school run, or you need a hardcore off-roader to traverse the wilderness, Toyota has you covered. Here’s our guide to the Japanese company’s range of SUV choices.

Toyota SUV models: current range

Toyota’s SUV line-up is made up of mainly hybrids, with a couple of exceptions.

Toyota Yaris Cross

Rather than just being a regular Yaris hatchback with a jacked up suspension and some chunkier bumpers, the Toyota Yaris Cross has a look and character all of its own. That look is a smart one, too, which is important given the style-conscious nature of this type of car. Inside, you’ll find competitive space for passengers and luggage, plus solid build quality and an infotainment system that looks good, although it can be a bit clunky to use. All versions come with a 116hp hybrid system that is punchy and efficient, but the noisy petrol engine and firm ride might not be to all tastes.

Toyota C-HR

The next rung on Toyota’s SUV ladder is the C-HR - which stands for Coupe High-Rider - and this mid-size family SUV is a stylish alternative to popular cars such as the Nissan Qashqai, SEAT Ateca and Skoda Karoq. It’s available with a choice of two self-charging hybrid powertrains, both of which are impressively efficient, and elsewhere on the road, you might be surprised by the way the C-HR manages to combine sharp handling with a reasonably comfortable ride. It’s not the most practical car of its type, but it is smartly trimmed and well equipped.

Toyota bZ4X

As one of the earliest mainstream pioneers of petrol-electric hybrid technology, it’s taken Toyota a little while to get on board with the fully electric movement, but the bZ4X marks the firm’s entry into that space. Dusting it with the likes of the Nissan Ariya and Volkswagen ID4, it boasts impressive interior quality, lots of standard technology, masses of rear space (although the boot is on the small side) and an impressively comfortable ride. In terms of range, official tests put it at between 286 and 317 miles.

Toyota RAV4

Very similar to the bZ4X in size, the Toyota RAV4 is rather more conventional in its offering, and has been a mainstay of the SUV class for several years. It’s available only as a petrol-electric hybrid, in both self-charging and plug-in forms, and both do a great job on efficiency while providing very decent performance. The interior is well equipped and very solidly built, if not quite as plush as some other family SUV contenders, and there’s lots of space for passengers and luggage. It’s comfortable on the road, but it could be more exciting.

Toyota Highlander

You’re forgiven if you don’t know much about the Toyota Highlander as it’s a fairly rare sight on UK roads, but in the US, it’s bloomin’ everywhere. It’s a big seven-seat SUV, putting it in competition with cars like the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe. There’s generous space in all of the seven seats, and a big boot, too, while the cabin is sturdily built and stuffed with standard equipment. The driving experience is comfortable and capable, and the standard hybrid system gives you four-wheel drive for better traction in slippery conditions.

Toyota Land Cruiser

In a market where most SUVs are racing to be the most cutting-edge on offer, there’s something refreshingly old-school about the Toyota Land Cruiser. This enormous off-roader is available with three or five doors (who does that any more?) and five or seven seats, and it’s powered by a 2.8-litre diesel engine that’s not terribly efficient. Granted, it’s noisy and not very comfortable on the road, but if you spend a decent chunk of time off-road, there’s not much that’ll keep up with it.