Toyota was one of the trailblazers in the world of SUVs, with its original RAV4. but the company still believes it has gaps in its line-up – and it’s about to fill a significant one with this new model, the Corolla Cross.
The Corolla cross is designed to sit alongside the C-HR in Toyota’s range, although each vehicle will have its own distinct approach. The C-HR has always been focused more on style than outright practicality, whereas the Corolla Cross’s more upright stance and pragmatic shape reflect its positioning as a full-blown family SUV – a rival for the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and VW Tiguan.
New Toyota Corolla cross 2022 review
It’s 4.46 metres long – so a couple of centimetres longer than the Nissan – but the Toyota’s wheelbase is slightly shorter, at 2.64 metres. The car is based on the same TNGA architecture that underpins all modern Toyotas, including both the C-HR and the larger RAV4.
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The Corolla cross has been on sale in other regions for a while, with varying powertrains, but European-spec cars will be offered only with the latest, fifth generation of Toyota’s hybrid system. In standard form it uses a 2.0-litre engine and a lithium-ion battery, plus a 111bhp front-mounted electric motor for a total system output of 198bhp. That’s enough to take the Corolla cross from 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds.
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The car will also be available with four-wheel drive, thanks to a second electric motor on the rear axle – although this configuration doesn’t bring any more overall power, because the petrol engine’s output is adjusted accordingly.
Toyota claims the latest incarnation of the hybrid set-up – which will, in time, be rolled out on the C-HR and RAV4 – delivers stronger torque and greater electrical power while not compromising on fuel efficiency. Toyota says the Corolla cross has been “adapted to European tastes” and highlights adjustments including a different front grille, along with new headlights and tail-lights. Inside, there’s a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster that’s unique to European models, as well as a 10.5-inch infotainment system that, in a first for Toyota, can accept over-the-air updates while offering cloud navigation and remote control features.
The Corolla cross will go on sale in Europe in the second half of 2022. There’s no word yet on pricing, but we’d expect it to slot in between the C-HR and the larger RAV4, with a starting figure of around £29,000.
What does the new Toyota Corolla cross have to beat? check out our list of the best SUVs on sale now…
