The Post

Another small Toyota SUV heads to NZ

Toyota jacks up Corolla to take on Focus Active, writes Nile Bijoux.

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Look out, Ford Focus Active, Toyota has revealed the Corolla Cross as a new small SUV fighter and it is coming to New Zealand.

The jacked Corolla will slot in between the upcoming Yaris Cross and C-HR, because there’s always a niche for more SUVs.

It’ll get both petrol and petrolelec­tric hybrid powertrain­s, at least in Thailand where the model was revealed, both using a 1.8-litre inline four and CVT transmissi­on.

‘‘We have secured this product for our lineup and are excited to launch it in due course,’’ a Toyota New Zealand spokespers­on told

‘‘This addition will continue to add breadth to our overall range, with more SUV options for our customers.’’

It’s unclear what powertrain­s New Zealand may get, like the current 2.0-litre 125kW/200Nm petrol engine. Presumably, the hybrid is the same as offered here, sending 90kW and 147Nm through the front wheels.

Corolla Cross, like the Focus Active, takes its namesake hatch as a base and cranks the ride height to create an urban city crawler that can also handle itself on the farm.

To a degree, at least. It measures 4460mm long, 1825mm wide, and 1620mm high. The C-HR and Corolla Cross share the same 2640mm wheelbase but the Corolla

Cross is larger in the other measuremen­ts, which should result in more interior space.

As for style, the Corolla Cross looks a bit like a baby RAV4 than a tall Corolla.

There’s a similar chunky grille up front, angular headlights instead of the Rolla’s blade shaped units and taillights more inspired by the larger SUV than the hatchback.

Inside is standard modern Toyota, with minimal styling, plenty of leather and a freestandi­ng infotainme­nt unit.

The Cross will get a decent array of driver aides, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Top spec versions will get extras such as a head-up display, sunroof and a better sound system.

Toyota New Zealand says that further informatio­n and pricing will be announced closer to the time of launch, although it isn’t clear when that will be at this stage.

 ??  ?? The Corolla Cross looks more like a baby RAV4 than a larger Corolla, don’t you think?
The Corolla Cross looks more like a baby RAV4 than a larger Corolla, don’t you think?
 ??  ?? It might look like there are off-road chops hiding, but we’d probably dial back the mud plugging.
It might look like there are off-road chops hiding, but we’d probably dial back the mud plugging.

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