What's the difference?
If you’ve clicked on this thinking, “What’s a Farizon?” you're probably not alone.
Farizon is yet another sub-brand of Chinese giant Geely which owns brands like Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Smart and Zeekr, among others.
This new brand is an electric commercial vehicle specialist that arrived in Australia earlier this year thanks to Saudi Arabia-based distributor, Jameel Motors. Sales are currently only offered in Queensland through Farizon’s website, though a dealer network is being developed with a priority of the eastern seaboard.
The Farizon SuperVan is the company’s first offering in Australia, alongside an electric light truck called the H9E. This electric mid-size van is a rival to the likes of the LDV eDeliver 7, Peugeot E-Expert and Volkswagen ID. Buzz, as well as the forthcoming Ford E-Transit Custom.
How does it stack up? Read along to find out.
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.
You’d think Farizon would be onto a winner given it has created a van with cool looks and the packaging benefits that come with a dedicated EV architecture. However, the SuperVan left a sour taste in my mouth.
There are good bones here, but Farizon has a long way to go with fixing the electric motor whine and safety systems.
It’s great the company is aware of the SuperVan’s shortcomings and is currently working on software updates, but it begs the question, why wasn’t it good in the first place?
Going from dorky to dishy thanks to some clever detail changes, the GR Sport Hybrid certainly earns its place in the high-flying Yaris Cross range. For many buyers, that it also offers enough athleticism to match its newfound style seals the deal.
But not all the changes are welcome, especially as they upset the fine balance that the GX and GXL grades in particular possess in spades. The firmer suspension and bigger wheels have a harder time soaking up the rough stuff. Yet Toyota hasn't gone far enough, by failing to provide the extra go to match the extra show.
If none of these matter, then choose the GR Sport Hybrid and enjoy its many virtues, for the Yaris Cross' time is now and you won't really lose regardless.
This electric van makes a fantastic first impression with its design. It’s futuristic and stands out on the road.
I haven’t driven a car that gets this much attention in a fair while, which is wild given this is a delivery van and traditionally they’re some of the dullest vehicles out there in terms of design.
What makes the SuperVan stand out the most is the variety of colours it comes in. Sure, you can get standard white if you want, but there’s also grey, green and blue. Our tester is finished in the latter which looks cool and modern.
The front continues the futuristic theme with a bright LED lighting signature for the headlights. They’re connected by an LED light strip, as well as an illuminated Farizon badge.
Given this van is electric, it doesn’t need a large, traditional grille to keep an engine cool. Instead there’s a small slotted opening at the bottom of the front bumper to cool the electric motor and high-voltage battery. It’s cool Farizon has made this van obviously look electric with this cue.
Beyond the stylish aero covers for the 16-inch steel wheels, there really isn’t much to talk about in terms of side profile design. It’s very slab-sided which is a classic van look.
It also leans into the trope that vans are essentially boxes on wheels. This is no bad thing because at the end of the day, a van is a work vehicle that’s meant to maximise hauling potential.
At the rear, this version of the SuperVan with the ‘Low Roof’ body style is perfectly square. It looks a little funny, but again this is a work-oriented vehicle that’s the opposite of a mullet - business at the back, party at the front.
Inside, Farizon has made a big attempt to make this electric van look luxurious and contemporary. Having synthetic leather seats is a luxury that many vans don’t have, along with the big digital instrument cluster and touchscreen multimedia system.
I’m a fan of the orange highlights around the cabin as they break up the monotonous black finishes.
Once you sit in the cabin, however, the commercial roots do begin to show. Virtually every surface is rock-hard plastic, which in a way is good because it means it’ll be hard-wearing in the long run.
Back in October 2020 when the Yaris Cross landed in Australia, Toyota put interesting stats in the press kit showing how the original RAV4 5-door of 1995 compared with the newcomer.
Height-aside (by a substantial 70mm), the Yaris Cross is longer (by 55mm) and wider (+70mm), while its wheelbase and tracks are a whopping 150mm and 60mm more generous.
It's the last point that has us puzzled, because the Yaris Cross still seems a little tippy-toed in proportion, though the GR Sport does at least look better resolved with its larger alloys and lowered chassis.
And the smoked headlights and sad blacked-out grille still seem a bit dead-eyed and gormless. Not Toyota's prettiest styling effort, then.
That all said, the chunky shape and box-ticking crossover styling accoutrements seem to keep bringing people to showrooms in droves.
Finally, how Yaris is this, anyway? To refresh, compared to its supermini sibling namesake that uses the same GA-B 'Toyota New Global Architecture', the Yaris Cross sits higher off the ground and is longer and wider, as well as taller.
All in the name of a roomier body.
While good looks can get you so far, cabin practicality is where things are a little mixed for the SuperVan.
The driver’s seat is generally comfortable, offering a decent amount of support and a centre armrest, but the driving position is heavily compromised.
The worst offender are the pedals as they’re mounted so high that I need to take my foot off the floor to press them. Then the steering wheel only offers tilt adjustment and not reach.
As a result I need to have the seat pushed further back than I’d like to make sure I can press the pedals without making my right ankle hurt in stop-start traffic. Then even with the backrest virtually upright I still need to have arms extended almost fully to reach the wheel.
It’s not the kind of place I’d like to spend a considerable amount of time, which is disappointing because many people who drive this van will likely spend hours behind the wheel at a time.
Thankfully both seats offer both heating and ventilation, which is rather luxurious.
Ahead of the driver, the steering wheel is wrapped in buttery soft synthetic leather, like the seats, and is nice to hold. I appreciate the amount of physical buttons on it. They’re all clearly marked and easy to click.
The steering wheel is also heated and gets hot super quickly. There’s only one setting – on or off.
The digital instrument cluster looks flashy and has a range of informative pages you can cycle through. One even displays a vehicle weight page which is great if you’re unsure if you’re close to the gross vehicle mass (GVM).
Moving across, the touchscreen infotainment system looks glossy and high-definition, but there’s not much to do on it. This also means it’s hard to get lost and even if you do there are shortcut buttons on the right-hand side of the screen.
As standard there’s wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity which is great if you’ve got an iPhone, but terrible if you have an Android phone. This car has no Android Auto support whatsoever.
It’s great to see a continued use of physical switchgear around the cabin for things like the drive modes, regenerative braking settings and most notably the climate control settings. The latter are big and chunky, meaning they’re hard to miss.
In terms of storage up front, it’s fairly mediocre beyond big door pockets. There’s a slide out drawer with two cupholders and another small storage section, as well as another small storage drawer and a glovebox.
Around the side you'll find one of this van's most unique features. When you open up the passenger side front door and slide open the side cargo door, you’ll see this van doesn’t have a B-pillar. There’s only a plastic partition between the passenger and cargo areas.
As a result, the seatbelt for the passenger is mounted on the door. This feels a bit weird in the passenger seat because the seatbelt cuts across more than usual and doesn’t rest on your shoulder.
The SuperVan only comes with a single sliding door. You can’t opt for one on the driver’s side in Australia which is a little disappointing from an ease-of-use standpoint.
At the back there are rear barn doors that have stops at 90 degrees and 180 degrees, before opening all the way up to 270 degrees. This is great because you’ll be able to put whatever is on a forklift into the cargo area.
Speaking of the cargo area, it’s massive. This SWB Low Roof version measures in at 2690mm long, 1795mm wide and 1440mm tall. This equals 6.95 cubic metres, which is considerably more than any similarly sized van, whether that be diesel or electric.
It’s another major benefit of this van being built on a dedicated electric vehicle architecture, rather than a combustion platform that needs to take drivetrain and exhaust components into account.
Payload is 1300kg which is fairly standard for mid-size electric vans.
I like how low the load lip is at the back. This means you don’t have to lift things too high in order to get them in the cargo area.
In terms of amenities there are some lights, tie-down points, as well as three powerpoints for vehicle-to-load (V2L) support at up to 3.3kW. Disappointingly the latter didn’t work in our tester no matter how hard I tried…
Surprisingly under the cargo area is a full-size spare wheel. This is incredibly rare for an EV, especially one that’s all about maximising cargo capacity. It’s great peace of mind if you do long-distance travelling.
Very. As with all Yaris Cross models, the GR Sport Hybrid is designed to be easy to live with, with ample roof height, large doors and hip-level seating to aid entry/egress. No kneeling down to sit inside or hauling yourself up exiting this small SUV.
Comfy and embracing, the sporty front bucket seats seem to offer better support and location than the regular seats, and – as with the rest of the cabin's finish and ambience – are great to behold. It's smart and sassy in there.
Once settled in, the Japanese giant's smallest SUV continues to impress with its sense of space and pleasing all-round vision, making this seem larger than its city-slicker badge implies.
Nothing cramped or tight to report here – unless you're a basketballer perched high on the front passenger seat. Please, Toyota, provide the option of a lowering lever.
Aided by an amenable driving position, simplicity remains the name of the game, as demonstrated the tactile three-spoke wheel, wide adjustability of seating and steering column, unobstructed views of the attractive dash and effortless access to switchgear. If you run a driving school then here's a great lesson in elementary vehicle operation.
That said, the big digital speedo is not up high in the driver's direct sightline; you'll need to do a switcheroo with an Urban grade and its head-up display to remedy that, while the centre screen's layout can be a bit fiddly at first to figure out, though all necessary info is present.
With no shortage of storage, including 1.5-litre bottle-ready door bins and lots of areas to leave stuff in or on securely, effective ventilation and a sense of hardy quality, it's easy to imagine the Yaris Cross appealing to a broad array of buyers, whether singles, families or Empty Nesters.
It's that sort of do-it-all for less packaging that makes you question spending more for a larger SUV.
Downsides? As well as denying us front passenger seat height adjustment, Toyota seems to see no reason to provide its up-spec crossover with a front centre armrest, driver's seat lumbar support and wireless smartphone charger.
Maybe that's why the centre screen's graphics are so Nokia-esque. Plus, rear vision is hindered by fixed tombstone-style headrests out back. Remember when carmakers used to hollow them out to avoid such blind spots?
The Yaris Cross' rear-seat area benefits from lofty seating, a high ceiling to clear scalps, reasonable kneeroom and space beneath the front seats for big boots to tuck in under. But we'd think twice about squeezing three larger people abreast as shoulders and thighs would likely rub.
Still, outboard-sited passengers should rate the well-angled backrests and shapely cushion offering sufficient thigh support. Note that nothing slides or reclines back there.
Other observations? The 40/20/40 backrest's middle portion folds to reveal a pair of cupholders, like in a BMW. Useful, too, are more bottle-friendly door storage (up to 600ml), reading lights, a single map pocket, two coat hooks and auto up/down electric windows.
Some might miss the lack of face-level air vents, though nobody complained about it being stuffy back there.
Moving to the luggage compartment, a flimsy, fiddly, foldable fabric mesh cover is your only defence from prying eyes, and this is a poor substitute for a parcel shelf; Toyota, if you must, please check out how Honda's Civic does it.
Otherwise, the news is positive, due to a sizeable loading cavity, long flat floor and VDA-rated luggage capacity of up to 390L with rear seatbacks up in situ.
Check out the novel 60/40-split false floor, which provides some degree of extra out-of-sight security as well as loading versatility.
As with all Yaris Cross 2WDs, there's a space-saver spare below that. Going AWD means you'll have to put up with a tyre-repair kit – something we'd not inflict on anybody - as well as a substantially smaller cargo capacity (down to just 314L VDA).
Overall, with its subtle yet effective sporty accents and tasteful trim choices, the GR Sport Hybrid enhances an already generally thoughtfully presented and executed Yaris Cross interior.
The Farizon SuperVan is being offered in Australia in three trim levels. On test here is the entry-level short-wheelbase (SWB) Low Roof option.
Pricing for this variant starts at $71,490 before on-road costs. It’s worth noting that this is for private buyers. If you’re an ABN holder or are buying a fleet of SuperVans, pricing will likely be different.
This is more affordable than the Ford E-Transit Custom, Peugeot E-Expert and Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo, but the LDV eDeliver 7 is cheaper again. However, that rival Chinese electric van isn’t built on a dedicated electric platform and doesn’t offer as much range.
As standard the SuperVan comes with a plastic cargo partition, a single sliding side door, as well as rear barn doors that swing up to 270 degrees. You can’t option any other configuration, currently, beyond different wheelbase lengths and heights.
Standard equipment across the line-up includes LED headlights, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay, a heated steering wheel, as well as heated and ventilated synthetic leather seats.
This is generous for a commercial vehicle that’s going to be a workhorse and will need to stand the test of time.
Good question. It totally depends on how 'crossover' you like your Yaris Cross to be.
Starting from $35,840, before on-road costs, the GR Sport Hybrid lives at the pointy end of the range, alongside the Urban Hybrid flagship.
And that's fine, as it does feature a few extras not found in the base GX and mid-range GXL (why does Toyota insist on '70s Datsun and Ford grade names?).
Whether we'd call the dynamic and visual upgrades "thrilling" is debatable.
Outside, the GR Sport gains black mirror caps, mesh for the grille and bumper insert, a different rear diffuser and red brake calipers on unique 18-inch wheels. It also sits 10mm closer to the ground, thanks to lowered suspension that also boasts a revised tune.
Inside, you'll find redesigned front seats with suede-like material and vinyl bolsters, an extra USB-C port, an air-purifying filter for the climate control system, aluminium pedal covers and a smattering of GR logos, colours and trim finishes to round things out, while extra underbody bracing is there, "... to control body roll and improve ride comfort". We'll go into more detail later on.
But there are no changes to the hybrid powertrain.
As with all Yaris Crosses, the GR Sport has a long list of standard safety equipment, bringing eight airbags, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control. See the Safety section for more.
Since it's based on the GXL hybrid 2WD (front-wheel drive) grade, you'll also find LED headlights, keyless entry/push-button start, a leather-wrapped wheel with paddle shifters, voice recognition, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, digital radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, satellite navigation, 'Toyota Connected Services', auto-folding mirrors, rear privacy glass, and a temporary spare wheel.
For handy luxuries like a powered driver's seat, heated front seats, a head-up display and powered tailgate, you'll need the identically-priced Urban Hybrid 2WD. Hmm.
Or... for exactly the same money (from $35,840 plus ORC, remember), there's the GXL AWD, which drops two inches in wheel size but picks up 10mm more suspension height and an extra electric motor on the rear axle for extra traction. Gripping.
Rivals? Compared to the scores of non-hybrid small SUV alternatives, there are few that directly align with the GR Sport Hybrid.
The very mild-hybrid Mazda MX-30 G20 probably comes closest in price, or – from about 10 per cent more – there's the new Subaru Crosstrek AWD.
Or, in-house competitors like the ageing but still-impressive Toyota C-HR Koba Hybrid and larger Corolla Cross Hybrid. Others, like the uneven Haval Jolion Hybrid and Honda's fine HR-V e:HEV are more expensive again.
In summary, then, we reckon the GR Sport Hybrid's biggest value challengers come from within Toyota generally, and the Yaris Cross range specifically. It's hard to go past the GX or GXL Hybrid AWDs.
All versions of the Farizon SuperVan in Australia are powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 170kW and 336Nm.
This is fed by an 83kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery which is sourced from Chinese battery producer CATL.
Farizon doesn’t quote an official 0-100km/h time, though it claims the top speed is 135km/h.
Just as with the regular Yaris Cross as well as all Toyota hybrids sold in Australia since 2001, the GR Sport Hybrid is a series-parallel set-up.
It features a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder, naturally-aspirated petrol engine dubbed 'M15A-FXE', making 67kW of power at 5500rpm and 120Nm of torque between 3800rpm and 4800rpm.
That's backed up by an 85kW permanent magnet synchronous motor, producing 59kW of power and 141Nm of torque, with electricity stored in a 4.3Ah lithium-ion battery pack.
Charging is via the petrol engine and recuperated energy from braking. There's no plug-in facility, while pure-electric drive is only offered during low-speed light-throttle driving for short bursts, or during off-throttle coasting where conditions are right.
Drive is sent to the front wheels via an electronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) offering a 10-speed manual sequential mode as well as a mechanical first gear for a more natural torque-converter automatic gearbox experience. Less prone to engine droning that way.
Weighing in at around 1235kg (kerb), the GR Sport Hybrid has a power-to-weight ratio of 68.8kW per tonne, which is okay.
Supporting this Yaris Cross' sporty aspirations, the MacPherson-style strut-front and torsion beam rear suspension tune sees a 10mm drop, resulting in a ride height of 160mm and a lower centre of gravity.
This, along with revised suspension components and additional underfloor bracing for increased stiffness and rigidity, are claimed to benefit steering, handling, body control and ride comfort capabilities.
But we're unsure whether the benefits are felt in equal measures – or at all, in some cases.
Claimed range for the SuperVan depends on the body configuration, but it’s up to 376km according to WLTP testing for the SWB Low Roof body style.
The battery pack can be DC fast-charged at rates up to 140kW, which would see the battery charge from 20 to 80 per cent in 36 minutes.
The battery pack can also be AC charged at rates up to 11kW, which would see the battery charge from 15 to 100 per cent in seven hours.
The SuperVan also offers vehicle-to-load through Australian domestic household plugs at up to 3.3kW of continuous power. This allows you to use the van’s battery pack to power appliances, tools, or other emergency backup systems.
Farizon doesn’t quote an official energy consumption figure for the SuperVan, but during my unladen testing I saw an average of 23.5kWh/100km, which would give a theoretical range of 350km. This would likely drop with a heavier load onboard.
Like all Yaris Cross hybrids, the GR Sport officially averages just 3.8 litres per 100km on the combined cycle. That translates to 86 grams per kilometre of carbon-dioxide emissions. There's another reason why this Toyota is such a smash hit.
We didn't quite manage that, predictably, but the 4.7L/100km we did achieve beat the in-car trip computer. That's a rarity. And unlike some larger Toyota hybrids, this one can run on standard 91 RON unleaded as well as 94 RON E10 ethanol-mix petrol.
Using the official fuel consumption average, expect to achieve nearly 950km of range between refills of the 36L fuel tank. Note there is practically no pure-EV range available in this system of hybrid.
Whichever way you look at it, the Yaris Cross is about as economical as petrol-powered small SUVs get.
Driving this van is punishing. It’s quite unlike any other modern van I’ve experienced as they can be fun to drive. This SuperVan, however, leaves me feeling like a lot of the elements need finessing.
First up there’s the electric motor. It makes a decent amount of power and easily gets this big box on wheels moving. In Sport mode the front wheels can get overwhelmed if you’re not careful.
However, this van has an incredibly loud electric motor whine. It builds as you gain speed, then once you reach your desired speed it hovers at an annoying high pitch. Some extra sound deadening would likely help.
Additionally, there’s a pedestrian warning sound that plays under 25km/h, as well as a beeping tone when reversing. While this is common for EVs, this one feels like it’s louder on the inside rather than the outside. This somewhat defeats the purpose.
There are three levels of regenerative braking as standard and all of them require you to use the brake pedal to come to a complete stop. This means there’s no one-pedal driving mode.
With all the settings the regen braking is either completely on or off. There’s no in between which creates a thrashy feeling in the cabin, especially when travelling down a hill and you’re trying to coast along without activating regen braking too much. As a result, I like the weakest regen setting the most.
Surprisingly the interaction between the regenerative braking and the traditional friction brakes is rather seamless. Even the brake pedal feels relatively normal, compared to a regular combustion vehicle, which is sometimes uncommon for EVs.
As standard there’s an electric power steering system which, unlike some other new Chinese vehicles, feels like it’s actually connected to the wheels. While you can tell the steering is electrically assisted, you can still feel what the wheels are doing.
Thanks to the dedicated electric architecture, the turning circle is surprisingly good for such a large vehicle. It measures in at 12.2 metres kerb-to-kerb.
Like many commercial vans, the SuperVan has a double wishbone independent front and a rear leaf spring suspension setup. This typically prioritises cargo-carrying ability rather than on-road comfort.
When unladen the SuperVan’s suspension is incredibly jittery and harsh. You can feel every single bump in the road and crossing a speed bump makes me grit my teeth. It doesn’t help that the tyres need to be pumped up high. As standard the rear tyres need to be pumped up to 61psi.
With some added weight onboard the SuperVan’s suspension does settle, but it’s still quite choppy. We didn’t get a chance to test this vehicle at the full GVM, but it would be interesting to see whether the rear springs get a little more compliant then. Range would likely plummet though.
In terms of visibility, you sit up high in the cabin and there’s a large windscreen. These are both big ticks. It also helps there are large side windows and side mirrors that make seeing kerbs easier.
Like many vans however, over-the-shoulder checks aren’t possible in the SuperVan as there are no rear windows, plus seeing out the back through the tiny envelope is virtually impossible.
Thankfully there are front and rear parking sensors as standard, as well as a surround-view camera that has good quality but a choppy camera feed. Having the standard sensors and camera system is great while doing tricky parking manoeuvres.
Lastly, let’s talk about the chimes… They are some of the loudest and most incessant I have ever experienced in a new car. They’re so loud that they honestly scared me at first.
There are a variety of different tones for all the different safety systems. One that grates the most are the intelligent speed limit assist which bongs each time it detects a new speed limit, then again if the system thinks you’re travelling over that limit. It’s particularly annoying because it picks up 40km/h school zones even when it’s not school zone times.
Another chime plays for the driver monitoring system when it can’t detect your eyes. This is annoying if you want to wear sunglasses while driving.
You can turn off these settings in a menu on the touchscreen, but they all default back to on when you restart the car.
Other loud bongs play when you change the drive mode, the regenerative braking setting, even when you turn on the adaptive cruise control. You just can’t escape it.
We've driven every version of the Yaris Cross since its late 2020 launch in Australia, and without hesitation, the GR Sport is the least impressive of an otherwise great range of small SUVs.
And nowhere is that more evident than in the way it behaves around town.
As its creators intended, the Yaris Cross was born to be an urbanite. Lofty seating, good visibility, zippy acceleration, strong brakes, a tight turning circle and – in the base GX and mid-spec GXL on 16-inch wheels and tyres – a decent level of isolation from road bumps are key and very desirable attributes for city and suburban commuting.
Tick the hybrid box and the added electrical oomph and occasional silent running that electrification brings just add to the Toyota SUV's appeal in these circumstances.
Now, what you gain in style, stance and better tyre grip in the Urban, wearing the 18-inch wheels, you lose in ride comfort over bad roads due to an underlying firmness, and increased road noise intrusion over some coarse surfaces.
However, with its 10mm lower ride height and sports-tuned suspension, the GR Sport is firmer and louder again, and that detracts from its comfort and refinement.
Not to the degree that it's a deal-breaker, because the basics are still there and the Yaris Cross DNA remains, but there are marked differences between the grades.
If most of your driving is urban, you might want to rethink the GR Sport as a result unless the roads you commute on are smooth, because you'll barely notice the improved handling and body control at lower speeds that this grade specialises in.
Driving away onto rural roads, however, reveals a slightly more solid and focused handling machine, with quite direct (if not very tactile) steering through fast tight turns, accompanied by a flat and neutral attitude.
In other words, you can point and shoot a GR Sport up a mountain road with the confidence that it will steer and hold the road calmly and in control, even at speed.
So composed is this version of the Yaris Cross that, on a couple of occasions, we were surprised at how high our corner exit speeds were. Dynamically this is a warm-hatch-like crossover.
Which makes the lack of any power or torque increase over regular hybrid grades all the more disappointing and a missed opportunity. The chassis is clearly up for more muscle.
Yes, as per all Yaris Cross hybrids, the GR Sport is quick off the mark, smooth in its seamless delivery of power, regardless of whether it's petrol or electricity sourced, and eager to respond to throttle inputs.
This is rapid around town and speedy on the motorway. But we'd like a bit more punch to go with the added sporty visual panache.
On our final day of testing, rain washed away weeks of dry, dust and humidity, and the roads became treacherously slick, testing the mettle of many.
Despite being front-drive, the GR Sport continued to be in total command with its grip and braking abilities, but the added surety of AWD that the identically-priced GXL would have brought cannot be denied.
In other words, the GR Sport is best where it can be enjoyed – out away from the city and on good roads. Otherwise, there are better choices within the Yaris Cross range.
The Farizon SuperVan hasn’t been crash tested by ANCAP just yet, however it was awarded a five-star rating by Euro NCAP earlier this year.
As standard there’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed limit assist, a driver monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors, as well as a surround-view camera.
This is a lot of safety kit, especially for a commercial van, but as mentioned above a lot of safety systems are rather intrusive and have obnoxiously loud chimes.
Thankfully Farizon is currently working on a software fix that’ll see all the chimes reduced by 20 decibels. It’s also planning some tweaks to the lane-keep assist and reverse camera which may form as part of the same update.
Tested on release in late 2020, all bar one Yaris Cross grade sold in this country has been awarded an ANCAP crash-test rating of five stars. The outlier is, inevitably, the GR Sport, with the organisation explicitly singling it out as such.
Why? Who knows, since there are no changes in safety specification while the body and structure are actually stronger than the others. Bureaucrats...
In fact, the safety-related rollcall is impressive, starting with eight airbags, including a front centre bag to help keep occupants from colliding sideways in a lateral impact.
There's also driver-assist tech as part of Toyota's 'Pre-collision safety system' with AEB for pedestrian (day/night) and cyclist (day) detection and daytime intersection assistance.
The AEB functions between 10km/h and 180km/h and the lane support systems between 50km/h and 180km/h.
Additionally, 'Rear Cross Traffic Alert', parking support braking, blind-spot monitor, emergency steering assist, lane-keep assist, speed-sign recognition, auto high beam, full stop/go adaptive cruise control and front and rear parking sensors are part of the GR Sport specification.
You'll also find a panoramic surround-view monitor, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, traction control, stability control, active cornering assist, cross-wind assist, four-wheel disc brakes and a reverse camera, while 'Toyota Connect' brings SOS emergency call, stolen vehicle tracker and other GPS-based assistance features.
The rear seat includes three top tethers for child restraint, with ISOFIX anchors on the two outboard positions.
The Farizon SuperVan is covered by a five-year, 200,000km warranty, while the high-voltage battery pack is covered for eight years or 200,000km.
There’s also five years of complimentary roadside assistance.
Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 30,000km, which is relatively standard for commercial vehicles.
The first five services are capped and all up cost $2730. This averages out to around $550 per service, which is a little on the expensive side for an EV. However, diesel vans can be much more expensive to maintain in the long-term.
Farizon currently doesn’t have a dealer network in Australia and only sells vehicles in Queensland through its website. The company is working on setting up a dealer network in the coming months and is prioritising the eastern seaboard.
Toyota offers a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty – with the option of extending that to seven years – as well as roadside assistance.
Service intervals are at 12 months or 15,000km. The first five scheduled services are capped at $250 each, with the work carried out detailed online.
The engine and transmission are under a seven-year warranty, while the hybrid battery pack is up to 10 years as long as the owner undertakes an annual inspection "... as part of routine maintenance according to the vehicle logbook."