By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring
Launched here in 2022 the Toyota Corolla Cross is – as the name suggests – an SUV crossover version of the everlasting Corolla sedan/hatchback.
It’s the largest of Toyota’s three-model range of compact SUVs above the smaller Yaris Cross and the sportier C-HR.
The original Corolla Cross was available with the choice of petrol or petrol/electric hybrid powertrains but, in line with Toyota’s recent decision to discontinue petrol-only variants where a hybrid alternative is available, the petrol versions are now being phased out.
Although existing stocks of the petrol models will no doubt still be available, we’ll concentrate on the hybrid models in this review.
There are five Corolla Cross variants, 2WD GX priced at $36,480, 2WD GXL ($40,230), GXL AWD ($43,230), 2WD Atmos ($47,030 and Atmos AWD ($50,030). On-road costs need to be added.
STYLING
Corolla Cross sits on the same platform as the Corolla hatch and sedan but with a different body as befitting an SUV. The styling is quite conservative but that’s unlikely to deter the typical Toyota buyer who prefers function over fashion.
While it shares much with the Corolla its outer appearance is more mini-RAV4 than maxi-Corolla with a snub-nosed grille featuring the Toyota logo, with blue highlights in the centre indicating its electric component.
GXL and Atmos add front foglights, enhanced LED headlights and roof rails.
The Atmos also gets a two-piece panoramic moonroof.
GX and GXL roll on 17-inch alloy wheels, Atmos steps up to 18-inch alloys.
INTERIOR
Anyone stepping up from the latest Corolla hatch or sedan will have no problem adapting to the dashboard layout of the Cross because, apart from the new touchscreen, they are all-but identical.
That’s not a criticism because we’ve always loved the stylish yet functional Corolla design.
The SUV conversion over the Corolla with more headroom throughout and plenty of leg and footroom in the rear seats for all but the tallest of occupants.
On the downside – literally – we found the bolstering on the front seats much too high and rigid to the extent that we needed a soft cushion to rise above the bolsters.
Only the Atmos comes with a folding centre armrest complete with twin cupholders.
Boot space varies according to driven wheels and powertrain, ranging from 380 litres in the Atmos AWD hybrid up to 425 litres in the 2WD GX and GXL. Atmos comes with a powered rear hatch and kick opening feature.
POWERTRAIN
Power for the Corolla Cross Hybrid 2WD comes from a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with outputs of 112kW and 190Nm. It’s teamed to an electric motor on the front axle for a combined maximum power output of 146 kW.
Corolla Cross is the first local model to get the 5th generation Toyota hybrid powertrain which combines a lighter lithium-ion battery with a more powerful main electric drive motor.
The GXL and Atmos Hybrids add a second electric drive motor on the rear axle.
Power is linked to either two or four wheels via a sequential ten-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT).
SAFETY
Corolla Cross was tested by ANCAP in October 2022 and received the maximum five-point rating.
Standard safety features include eight airbags, advanced ABS brakes, stability and traction control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, reversing camera, hill start assist, and Isofix child seat anchors.
Also standard across the range is the latest Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 package which adds a pre-collision safety system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, emergency driving stop system, active cruise control, lane trace and departure alert with steering assist, lane change assist with deceleration assist, intersection turn assist, road sign assist, door exit warning and automatic high beam.
In addition, GSX and Atmos get parking support braking with vehicle and object detection and a panoramic view monitor. Atmos adds pedestrian detection to the parking support brake feature as well as advanced park assist.
INFOTAINMENT
Corolla Cross is the first Toyota in Australia to get the brand’s new multimedia system. The entry-level GX uses an 8.0-inch touchscreen. GXL and Atmos get a 10.5-inch touchscreen with inbuilt satellite navigation.
Screen resolution is sharp and responsive with the option of voice activation.
There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto along with a single USB-C port in the front console of the GX and two in the centre console of the GXL and Atmos.
Behind the steering wheel there’s a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster in the GX and GXL, with a much larger (12.3-inch) display in the Atmos.
Importantly, the audio and air conditioning controls are physical knobs rather than being built into the touchscreen as is becoming far too common.
Only the Atmos gets a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Corolla Cross comes with the latest version of the Toyota Connected Services communications system that uses the myToyota Connect smartphone app to allow owners to do such things as remotely check the status of the doors and lights, access information such as the vehicle’s last known location and recent trips, or start the engine or climate control.
The extra height when compared to the Corolla provides easier access although the aforementioned aggressive seat bolsters could cause discomfort to some occupants.
External vision is excellent with a higher driving position, large windscreen, side windows and mirrors together with a relatively narrow A-pillar all contributing.
On the negative side the rear window is quite narrow.
There’s a solid feel to the Corolla Cross and it’s easy to drive and park around the urban environment which is most likely to be its home territory.
Steering which is relatively light but direct and intuitive.
Apart from the battery-only start and silent running, the GX Hybrid that we tested had that sharp acceleration that we enjoy in all vehicles with an electric component.
Suspension is well-balanced although we did get knocked around when manoeuvring through a badly-cratered section of our drive courtesy of some recent flooding.
Fuel consumption on the combined urban/rural cycle is listed at 4.2 litres per 100 kilometres from the 2WD variants and 4.4 with the AWDs. We averaged 5.1 L/100 km during our week-long test of the GX 2WD.
SUMMING UP
Everything about the new Corolla Cross points to it being a major success for Toyota.
Start with the base of Australia’s top-selling brand for the past 25 years, add a badge that’s been around here since 1967 and accumulated more than 1.5-million sales. Then bulk it up to get into the booming compact SUV market, and top it off with the latest in fuel-saving hybrid technology.
All Toyotas now come with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. This can be extended to seven years on the engine and driveline, and 10 years on the hybrid battery, subject to all scheduled servicing being done at Toyota dealerships.
RATINGS:
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Safety: 8/10
Thirst: 9/10
Practicality: 8/10
Comfort: 6/10
Tech: 7/10
Value: 7/10
