Toyota Corolla Cross: Cushion is extra

What is it?

Launched here in 2022 the Toyota Corolla Cross is – as the name suggests – a crossover version of the everlasting Corolla sedan/hatchback.

It’s the largest of Toyota’s three-model range of compact SUVs, sitting above the smaller Yaris Cross and sportier C-HR.

The original Corolla Cross was available with a choice of petrol or petrol/electric hybrid powertrains but, in line with Toyota’s recent decision to drop petrol-only variants where a hybrid alternative is available, petrol versions are now being phased out.

Although existing stocks of the petrol models are no doubt still available, we’ll concentrate on the hybrid models in this review.

What’s it cost?

There are five Corolla Cross variants: 2WD GX priced at $36,480, 2WD GXL ($40,230), AWD GXL ($43,230), 2WD Atmos ($47,030) and AWD Atmos ($50,030). On-road costs need to be added.

Corolla Cross sits on the same platform as the Corolla hatch and sedan but with a different body, with styling that is quite conservative — but unlikely to deter the typical Toyota buyer who prefers function over fashion.

While it shares much with the donor Corolla, it looks more like a mini-RAV4 than maxi-sized Corolla, with a snub-nosed grille that features the Toyota logo.

Blue highlights in the centre indicate the electric component.

GXL and Atmos add front fog lights, enhanced LED headlights and roof rails.

Atmos also gets a two-piece panoramic sunroof.

GX and GXL roll on 17-inch alloy wheels, Atmos steps up to 18-inch alloys.

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 built-in 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 GXL and Atmos.

Behind the steering wheel there’s a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster in GX and GXL, with a much larger 12.3-inch display in 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.

It uses the myToyota Connect smartphone app to allow owners to do such things as remotely check the status of the doors and lights, start the engine or climate control, or access information such as the vehicle’s last known location and recent trips.

Corolla Cross was tested by ANCAP in October, 2022 and received the maximum five-point safety 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.

What’s it go like?

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.

As an SUV it features more headroom throughout and plenty of leg and foot room for rear seat passengers 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 based on the driven wheels and powertrain, ranging from 380 litres in the AWD Atmos hybrid up to 425 litres in the 2WD GX and GXL.

Atmos comes with a power-operated, kick-style rear hatch.

Power for the 2WD Corolla Cross Hybrid comes from a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with outputs of 112kW and 190Nm.

It’s teamed with an electric motor 501?on the front axle for a combined maximum power output of 146kW.

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.

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 10-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT).

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.

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 is relatively light but direct and intuitive.

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Test drive

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Apart from the battery-only start and silent running the GX Hybrid 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 maneuvering through a badly-cratered section of our drive courtesy of some recent flooding.

Fuel consumption on the combined urban/rural cycle is listed at 4.2L/100km for 2WD variants and 4.4L for AWDs.

We averaged 5.1 L/100 km during our week-long test of the 2WD GX.

What we like?

• Electric zoom
• Hands-free tailgate
• Plenty of head and legroom
• Low fuel consumption

What we don’t like?

• Heavily bolstered seats
• Narrow rear window
• Only Atmos gets charge pad
• Wired Android Auto

The bottom line?

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.

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