Toyota continues to be a very important player in the car market, and the Corolla Cross should strengthen the SUV range of the manufacturer.
The Toyota Corolla Cross is the missing link that fills a gap in the market. This new crossover sits in Toyota’s range between the C-HR and the RAV4, offering a middle-of-the-road alternative, with dimensions compact enough not to be too big, but roomy enough for a family.
The car retains the muscular shape of a larger SUV, but translates these proportions into a more compact format that is easier to handle but still maintains a high level of practicality. However, is it just a marketing exercise or does it succeed on its own?
The exterior design is modern, but not ostentatious
Toyota Corolla Cross has a design specific to the new models of the Japanese manufacturer: modern, but which will not upset anyone. The front is aggressive, almost looking at you with a slightly frowny face. It also gives a sense of massiveness, the large grille and black plastic guards contribute to this.
The test car was a Corolla Cross in Exclusive 4WD trim, which meant it came standard with 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels. The sides of the car stand out with the help of contoured fenders, which are almost reminiscent of the flared fenders of a rally car, and this silhouette is outlined in various places: on the windshield, on the rear optical blocks, and so on. It’s like a treasure hunt to discover them all.
The rear is a bit more decent, with elongated taillights that extend onto the tailgate, approaching a conservative design with decent design elements, I might say. Next, the car is covered with black plastic bands. Personally, I’d replace the shield trims, which are painted body color, with some of a less sensitive material.
The interior space is simplistic but inviting. You have pretty much everything you need, and the controls are placed in an ergonomic way, very handy. The design won’t win an award for beauty, but it’s well thought out and makes the interior space easy to use. The materials are quite good. The most important contact areas are covered with soft-touch plastics, and the rest of the interior is made of harder materials. However, during the test I did not hear a squeak, did not feel that any panel had unwanted games or that an element would not hold up over time. The driving position is very easy to adjust, even for someone taller. At my 1.88 meters, I was able to quickly find a comfortable driving position, especially since the Exclusive version comes equipped with an electrically adjustable driver’s seat.
Toyota Corolla Cross has an unpretentious but very friendly interior
Even if it is not an extravagant interior, it will certainly withstand many years of use. However, it is not a Spartan interior, quite the opposite. I’d say it has pretty much everything a customer could want from a new car in 2023.
I’ll start with the 12.3-inch dashboard which, in my opinion, is very good. It’s big, readable and moves very well. The design is more European, much more intuitive and pleasing to the eye. The screen is divided into three large areas, each of which can be configured with a wealth of information for the driver to choose from. Moreover, this whole process can be repeated three times as this digital dashboard lets the user have three pages preset with their preferred information.
And the 10.5-inch central screen is up to the demands of 2023. The large diagonal, clear display and quick touch response make this infotainment system a big step up from what Toyota used to fit on its models in the past. The Exclusive equipment also brings built-in navigation, but if you don’t want this, you can connect the phone using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, systems that worked brilliantly throughout the test.
Because the test car was an Exclusive trim, I was able to experience a Corolla Cross with all the optional features and related assistance systems. The two-zone climate control remained separate from the infotainment system screen, being very easy to use. There is also a wireless charging pad for mobile phones, a normal USB port for charging and connecting to the car, but also an audio system from JBL, through which the music will be heard well, especially for those who prefer a more pronounced bass. There are also optional assistance systems, from adaptive autopilot and automatic braking to blind spot assist and automatic parking.
It’s annoying that the car doesn’t have storage spaces in the rear door panels, but it makes up for it with a pretty good trunk volume. The 380 liters may not seem that much, but the opening of the tailgate is large and the space in the trunk is well compartmentalized.
Toyota Corolla Cross is economical and easy to drive
The Corolla Cross uses a fifth-generation hybrid system, which increases the efficiency of the entire powertrain package by approximately 14%. The combustion engine measures two liters and produces 152 hp, but is assisted by electric motors, and the Exclusive version also gets one for the rear axle. In total, this hybrid system develops 197 hp, allowing the car to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 7.6 – 7.7 seconds.
I don’t think sportiness is the focus of this car, efficiency and comfort are. The E-CVT transmission makes for smooth, jerk-free acceleration, even if it can sometimes be strange how the engine stays constant at a certain rpm value. The comfort is very good, even if the car came equipped with 18-inch rims. The car glides over bumps and filters out road imperfections well, but a little better noise reduction at high speeds wouldn’t hurt.
The car is predictable, responds promptly to commands, giving the driver a sense of security. Also, the brake pedal is well set, so you will always know how to dose the braking.
Beyond the comfort it offers, the Corolla Cross is an economical car, with the manufacturer promising a combined consumption of 5.4 litres/100 km in the WLTP cycle. During the test, during which I covered about 200 kilometers in a mixed driving regime, the car had a consumption of 5 liters per 100 km.
Conclusion – Is this crossover worthy of the name Corolla or not?
I started this test with a question: is the Corolla Cross a simple marketing exercise or not? I would say no. The car manages to impose itself through its own advantages. Indeed, the name will play an important role, but I think that even without having been baptized as such, this car has enough assets to convince customers.
It is a practical vehicle, well equipped even in the basic version, with an attractive design and a very efficient hybrid drive system. It’s not a sporty or extravagant car by any means, but it handles the tasks of everyday life admirably.
The example I had available for this test was an Exclusive 4WD trim, a top model. The final price is 44,530 euros including VAT. A Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid in basic equipment, with the new 1.8 liter and 140 HP engine, has a price of 34,450 euros including VAT. Whether it is more or less, it is up to you to give a final verdict.
