Toyoya has released the new Corolla Cross in Japan. Prices start out from the equivalent of close to £13,000 for the least expensive 1.8-litre variant, climbing to close to £21,000 for the vary-topping hybrid model.
Even though this launch doesn’t bear considerably relevance to the United kingdom at the minute, there is a opportunity the Corolla Cross could break out of its Asian homeland and into the European market, the place it’ll develop into nevertheless an additional rival for the Nissan Qashqai, SEAT Ateca and Peugeot 3008.
Toyota nevertheless has not verified whether the Corolla Cross will make it to Europe, but the firm’s line-up is turning into progressively international – primarily when it comes to SUVs.
For example, the Toyota Highlander (which was traditionally a model reserved for Japan, Australia and the United States) was a short while ago launched to the United kingdom. The latest-technology Camry was also introduced again to Britain following a fourteen-calendar year hiatus.
Our spy photographers a short while ago noticed a camouflaged version of the Corolla Cross undergoing tests in the United States, suggesting an imminent launch for the area – and if Toyota adopts the exact same method as for the Highlander, then the United kingdom may well not be significantly guiding.
The company’s new European boss, Matt Harrison, has also hinted that a new SUV the measurement of the Corolla Cross is on its way to Europe. Very last calendar year, he advised us: “The way we see the segments increasing, some are so major frankly that you just cannot protect them with 1 product or service.
“You will need a pair of entries, at least, within just the phase. C-HR is a great example with C-HR, we’re properly providing 8 per cent phase share with a product or service that is an psychological decision. It’s decided on for style, design and driveability fairly than outright practicality.
“But there is a whole substantial chunk of the C-SUV phase that we do not truly attractiveness to. We’re participating in at the major stop of the C-SUV phase and fishing into the quality phase, practically. So we see further more options with SUV items, frankly.”
The Corolla Cross could be the model to plug that gap, sitting down together with the C-HR as a additional sensible choice and a go-concerning for it and the much larger RAV4. As these, by the time it reaches the United kingdom, it’ll will need to have a commencing selling price of close to £24,000. Here’s everything we know about the Corolla Cross so significantly:
New 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross: platform and powertrain
The Corolla Cross is dependent on the exact same GA-C platform as the Corolla hatchback, which is readily available with a decision of two 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engines in Japan.
The least expensive £13,000 option has no electrical help, although additional pricey variants get the exact same 120bhp hybrid powertrain found in the Toyota Prius. If the SUV does make it to the United kingdom, it’ll possible only be readily available with the hybrid method.
Japanese potential buyers can have the 1.8-litre hybrid with an electrified rear axle, much too, bringing four-wheel drive, although the Malaysian version of the auto is readily available with a 181bhp 2.-litre petrol hybrid powertrain. Just about every motor supplied on the SUV is also mated to a CVT gearbox.
The new SUV actions four,460mm long, 1,825mm huge and 1,620mm tall. There is also more than enough place inside for 5 grownups and a boot major more than enough to keep 487 litres, which sites the Corolla Cross perfectly ahead of the C-HR’s 377-litre potential. The tailgate can also be specified with a kick-sensor under the rear bumper.
New 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross: design and inside
Toyota would seem to have utilized the more compact Yaris Cross as a commencing issue for the Corolla Cross’s design. Judging by the similarities concerning our spy photographs and Toyota’s formal visuals, the car’s styling will not transform for its western debut, either.
The Corolla Cross shares the exact same tall radiator grille, slender headlamps and profile as the Yaris Cross. Even the cladding close to the SUV’s wheel arches and sills is acquainted, but it is nevertheless a radical departure from the Corolla hatchback’s styling language.
Technical specs vary in accordance to area, but the most perfectly-geared up variations of the Corolla Cross occur with a wireless smartphone charger, electric seats, computerized air conditioning, a four.2-inch electronic display for the gauge cluster and a nine-inch infotainment method, which also appears to be shared with the new Yaris Cross.
Toyota has also fitted a a hundred-volt accent socket with an unexpected emergency electrical power offer operate to the Corolla Cross, which it suggests can be utilized to electrical power household appliances these as a kettle in the event of a electrical power slash. There is also a host of help know-how, these as hill-keep help, parking sensors and operate which mitigates unintended acceleration.
What does the new Toyota Corolla Cross have to conquer? Look at out our checklist of the greatest SUVs on sale now…
