It has been a year since I started receiving test vehicles, and it has been a privilege to drive them.

A day before I receive a car, I ask my motoring buddy at Imotoroonline, Branton Crouch, what I will be driving. When I heard it was a GR Corolla. “Wow, what a car can't wait, I said.” So the day arrives and it's not a GR Corolla, but a Toyota Corolla Cross GR-Sport.

While it was not Toyota's power rocket hot hatch, the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport (GR-S) is the flagship, race-inspired trim of Toyota's popular mid-size crossover.

I kid you not, just a few seconds down the road in Marburg, I spot a Cross. Further up the road, there's another and another. You look right, left and through the rear-view mirror, you see a Cross. There's no doubt the Toyota Corolla Cross is a well-loved, reliable, and consistently preferred choice for many.

The Cross is the perfect mix of power, performance and reliability to put you in charge, whether it’s the school run, driving on the freeway, a road trip to your favourite holiday spot, or just taking the family for a scenic beach drive on a Sunday.

Models include the powerful, yet ultra-economical 1.8-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 103kW and 172Nm at 6400 r/min. As well as the self-charging hybrid model which develops 72kW at 5200 r/min, with an additional 90kW from its electric motor throughout the rev range.

Both engines power the front wheels through a smooth select-and-forget continuously variable transmission, so that all you need to do is enjoy the ride.

For complete driver control, the Cross is equipped with MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam at the rear, for sure-footed handling and extra load-carrying ability.

It is comfortable, offering you the choice of either a petrol or hybrid engine. The GR Sport features a heavily stylized, sporty interior with black leather upholstery and striking red contrast stitching throughout and contrasting red seat belts.

It boasts a large 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a prominent high-resolution infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The GR-S version, which I drove, features sportier touches that separate it from other offerings. If you're in the market for a reliable family vehicle without breaking the bank, the Toyota Corolla Cross is your answer.

Just remember your number plate because there are so many of them around.

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