Corolla Cross joins Toyota’s SUV line-up

TOYOTA has launched its Small segment Corolla Cross SUV in Australia this week, the sub-RAV4 model arriving with hybrid and all-wheel drive options, as well as Toyota’s latest connected and safety technologies, from $33,000 plus on-road costs.

Built on the same TNGA-C platform as the Corolla hatch and sedan, the Corolla Cross offers increased ride height and practicality benefits over its derivate, benefitting drivers with a 130mm eye point increase, 25mm of additional ground clearance, and cargo capacity ranging from 436 to 1359 litres.

The larger cabin also means the Corolla Cross offers improved access and interior space with larger door openings, 81mm of additional rear seat headroom and 43mm more front seat headroom than Corolla sedan (priced from $23,895 to $30,795 plus ORCs).

The Corolla Cross is 45mm wider and 185mm higher than its 12th generation sedan sibling, and rides on a 2640mm wheelbase with a front track that is 20mm wider and a rear track that is 25mm wider than the standard sedan.

It also introduces new (fifth-generation) connectivity and (third-generation) safety technologies that are firsts for the Toyota brand. Toyota says the Corolla Cross is the “most connected Toyota yet”.

Available in three variants, and with the choice of two- and all-wheel drive configurations and petrol or petrol-electric hybrid power, the Corolla Cross is priced from $33,000 in entry-grade GX format, $36,750 in mid-tier GXL trim, and $43,550 for the top-shelf Atmos variant.

By way of reference, the Corolla Cross range overlaps the Medium segment RAV4 slightly, with the latter priced from $34,400 to 52,700 plus ORCs.

The petrol-electric hybrid driveline adds $2500 to the price tag, while Toyota’s E-FOUR all-wheel drive system adds an additional $3000 (to GXL and Atmos variants only). The Corolla Cross is the first Corolla-branded variant to offer all-wheel drive in Australia since the Corolla Tercel (1983-86) and will join the 1.5 million Corollas sold locally since November 1966.

Toyota says some 51 million examples of the Corolla have been sold globally since the nameplate was introduced in 1966.

Toyota Corolla Cross GX variants are distinguished by 17-inch alloy wheels, LED lights front and rear (with automatic high beam), heated and retractable door mirrors and a shark fin style antenna.

The variant is further equipped with single-zone climate control, a 7.0-inch digital multi-information display, electric park brake, keyless entry and ignition, cloth upholstery, 60:40 split-fold rear seats, and a retractable cargo cover.

The base grade Corolla Cross features an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display incorporating Toyota’s latest multimedia array and included wireless Apple CarPlay and (wired) Android Auto connectivity. Digital radio reception (DAB+) is also standard from the six-speaker system.

All Corolla Cross grades feature Toyota’s Connected Services functionality which connect to an owner’s smartphone (via the myToyota Connect app) to provide real-time remote information and features. Through the app, owners can remotely check on the status of the doors and lights, and access information including vehicle location and recent trips, or start the engine or climate control.

Further, Toyota’s upgraded Safety Sense suite of driver assistance technologies now features lane change assist and safe exit assist. Eight airbags are standard.

Meanwhile, the mid-grade GXL adds high-grade LED headlights and front fog lights, roof rails and rear privacy glass. It is further equipped with combination cloth and leather-accented upholstery, a leather-accented gear shift knob and steering wheel, electrochromatic rear-view mirror, dual-zone climate control and two additional USB-C ports in the rear of the centre console.

The Corolla Cross GXL scores a larger, 10.5-inch touchscreen multimedia array and receives native satellite navigation as standard with additional features including 360-degree camera technology and parking support brake.

Finally, the flagship Corolla Cross Atmos is differentiated by 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic roof and powered tailgate with kick sensor.

Additional features include leather-accented upholstery, heated front seats (with two settings) and steering wheel (with single setting), an eight-way adjustable powered driver’s seat, a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, illuminated entry and a wireless phone charging pad.

Safety equipment for the top-spec model is further enhanced with the addition of a panoramic view monitor, advanced parking assistant, and pedestrian detection for the parking support braking system.

Toyota says hybrid-powered versions of the Corolla Cross are likely to be the strongest seller (70 per cent versus 30 per cent petrol) with front-wheel drive variants to outsell all-wheel drive models (60 per cent versus 40 per cent).

It also said the lower-trim GX is likely to be its most popular – and most likely with rental and other fleets – with a 45 to 50 per cent share over GXL grades at 30 per cent and Atmos grades 25 per cent.

Petrol-powered Corolla Cross models feature a 2.0-litre Otto cycle four-cylinder unit developing 126kW at 6600rpm and 202Nm from 4400-4900rpm, driving the front wheels via a ten-step continuously variable transmission (CVT). Fuel consumption is rated at 6.0 litres per 100km on the ADR Combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 136 grams per kilometre.

Hybrid versions employ a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder developing 112kW/190Nm paired with an 83kW/206Nm electric motor on the front axle providing combined maximum power of 146kW. All-wheel drive models incorporate an additional 30kW electric drive motor on the rear axle.

The battery pack is located beneath the rear seat and takes only 11 litres from the model’s previously quoted cargo capacity. Toyota did not offer battery capacity figures at launch.

Front-wheel drive Corolla Cross models are suspended by a MacPherson strut (front) and torsion beam (rear) arrangement while AWD models benefit from a multilink rear end. All variants are arrested by four-wheel disc brakes and offer up to 750kg of braked towing capacity.

The Corolla Cross is available in eight exterior colours including: Glacier White, Frosted White, Stunning Silver, Eclipse Black, Atomic Rush (red), Lunar Blue, Moondust Grey and Jungle Khaki.

The model is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with seven years’ engine and driveline coverage and capped-price servicing for the first five years of 75,000km. Each 12-month/15,000km service interval costs $230.

“Toyota Australia is always looking to bring class-leading products to market, and we are thrilled to expand our comprehensive SUV line-up with the addition of the Corolla Cross,” said Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations, Sean Hanley.

“The Corolla Cross offers the richest suite of active safety and connected services technologies of any Toyota model to date, with a range of powertrains and trim levels certain to provide plenty of appeal.”

The Corolla line-up will be bolstered again by the addition of the sporty GR Corolla from February 2023.

2022 Toyota Corolla Cross pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.