Corolla gets Cross: Toyota’s latest SUV
TOYOTA COROLLA CROSS
If you have ever thought to yourself that a Toyota RAV4 is a bit too big, while a C-HR is a bit too small, then you are in luck, because Toyota has now squeezed something in between the two, with the inevitable SUV version of the world’s most popular car; the Corolla.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
The Corolla Cross is Toyota’s latest SUV and, as mentioned, it slots between the RAV4 and the C-HR in Toyota’s range, while taking on the same naming conventions as the even smaller Yaris Cross, that sits under the C-HR in Toyota’s SUV hierarchy.
It sits on the same GA-C version of the TNGA platform as the Corolla hatch and C-HR, and arrives in New Zealand in a hybrid-only lineup, all powered by the same 135kW/190Nm powertrain in either FWD or AWD forms.
The Corolla Cross range consists of the entry GX model, a mid-spec GXL and a top-spec Limited, with the latter being the only one to offer the AWD option.
The GX starts the range at $41,990 and qualifies for a $3109 Clean Car rebate. It comes standard with LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, keyless entry and push button start, single zone climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
It also comes standard with a full range of safety and driver assists.
The GXL lands at $44,990 (also qualifying for a $3109 rebate) and adds a silver grille surround, black roof rails, LED daytime driving lights, fog lights and sequential front indicators to the outside.
The GXL also scores a panoramic reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, as well as parking and rear cross traffic braking.
The Limited closes out the range at $48,990 for the FWD and $51,990 for the AWD. While the FWD Limited qualifies for the same $3109 rebate as the other FWD models, the AWD drops to $2851.
The AWD model also switches out the FWD model’s torsion bean rear suspension for a trailing arm double wishbone set up and adds a second electric motor on the rear axle, although it retains the same output as the FWD versions.
WHERE DID YOU DRIVE IT?
On a mix of suburban and country roads in and out of Auckland.
Starting from a location at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, the
Price range: $41,990 to $51,990 (Estimated Clean Car rebate: $2851 to $3109).
Powertrains: 2.0-litre petrol fourcylinder hybrid with 135kW/190Nm, 4.8L/100km and 107g/km CO2 (FWD) or 4.9L/100km and 112g/km CO2 (AWD), continuously variable transmission, FWD or AWD.
Body style: SUV.
On sale: Now.
route led us through the city and out to the Waitakere ranges, serving up a pretty representative mix of the sorts of situations the average Corolla Cross buyer will use their new car on.
The hybrid powertrain proved to be an impressively refined and powerful partner in these circumstances, spending a decent amount of its urban running on battery alone, while the transition to the petrol engine when needed was smooth and unobtrusive.
Of course, the Corolla Cross is frugal both around town and out on the open road, effortlessly capable of achieving Toyota’s consumption claims of 4.8L/100km for the FWD and 4.9 for the AWD without the driver even trying to be particularly light-footed.
While the suspension set up felt a tad firmer than I would have expected from a compact SUV, it was still pleasantly comfortable. In other words, what you would expect from a Corolla hatch.
From the inside, the Corolla Cross feels like a larger vehicle than the hatch on the road, but this is probably more to do with the chunkier styling and the higher ride/seat height.
But in terms of interior space, it is only slightly larger than the hatch, with rear legroom being quite tight.
WHAT’S THE PICK OF THE RANGE?
As is often the way with these things, it is the entry and top-spec models that stand out as offering the most convincing packages.
The entry level GX is absolutely packed with kit – including the impressive Toyota Safety Sense driver assist suite that has been further refined and, with the Clean Car rebate taken into account, costs a fraction under $39,000.
The same equation adds up nicely for the Limited AWD model that jam in even more standard kit, an extra electric motor, more sophisticated rear suspension and more refinement, yet still lands at less than $50,000 with the rebate.
While everything in the middle (the GXL and 2WD Limited) are still perfectly fine and offer similar value, the two extremes have their price-to-specification ratio just right.