The Toyota Corolla Cross has now spent its first full 12 months on sale, and in contrast to most different small hatch-based crossovers it hasn’t instantly challenged its donor automotive on the gross sales charts as but.

We’ve seen the Mazda CX-30 now dominate the associated Mazda 3, a nameplate that was as soon as Australia’s hottest new car; and elsewhere the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek now simply outsell their long-running Cerato and Impreza siblings.

Nevertheless, the Corolla Cross is but to match its top-selling Corolla hatch and sedan equal in Australia simply but, very like the Hyundai Kona hasn’t overtaken its top-selling i30 vary.

Why? Toyota’s well-known provide points have occurred throughout the majority of its vary, and excessive international demand for the Corolla Cross – notably hybrid variations – meant that the Japanese manufacturers needed to be cautious with native gross sales and provide projections from the get go.

With 7932 items registered in 2023, the Corolla Cross is averaging lower than 1000 items monthly, regardless of growing wait occasions. It appears most patrons are gunning for the environment friendly hybrid possibility, nonetheless one thing of a rarity in such a hotly-contested section.

However right here on take a look at now we have the most affordable variant you should purchase in Australia, the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross 2WD with the usual 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine.

Priced from $33,980 earlier than on-road prices, the bottom Corolla Cross reveals off the naked fundamentals of what’s a succesful product – minus the majority of the bells and whistles that headline the higher finish of the vary.

Is it price a glance for those who’re after no-nonsense, dependable transport?

How a lot does the Toyota Corolla Cross price?

Pricing for the Corolla Cross has risen by round $1000 because the crossover first launched late in 2022.

2024 Toyota Corolla Cross pricing:

• Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD Petrol: $33,980
• Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD Hybrid: $36,480
• Toyota Corolla Cross GXL 2WD Petrol: $37,730
• Toyota Corolla Cross GXL 2WD Hybrid: $40,230
• Toyota Corolla Cross GXL AWD Hybrid: $43,230
• Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos 2WD Petrol: $44,530
• Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos 2WD Hybrid: $47,030
• Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos AWD Hybrid: $50,030

Costs exclude on-road prices

What’s the Toyota Corolla Cross like on the within?

There’s a little bit of a ‘fleet-spec’ vibe that extends from the outside to the cabin, with a polyurethane steering wheel and arduous door trims. In equity, there are a variety of entry-level SUVs that undress the cabin like this at base degree.

Whereas the drab gray color scheme and utilitarian supplies don’t give off the plushest of vibes, the hard-wearing fabric, clear structure and clear shows make the Corolla Cross’s cabin really feel very practical and sturdy.

The entrance seats are snug, supply respectable bolstering to assist you in the correct locations, and there’s good adjustment in each the motive force’s seat and steering wheel in order that even lanky individuals like myself can get comfortable.

Whereas the steering wheel lacks a leather-based or leather-look end, I’m a fan of its compact rim and well-placed multifunction controls. It sits comfortably within the hand… supplied you haven’t left it out within the solar for too lengthy.

Forward of the motive force is a 7.0-inch digital cluster show you’ll additionally discover within the higher-up GXL, and it’s suspiciously comparable in dimension and design to the unit utilized in dearer autos just like the Lexus NX.

Sitting atop the dashboard is an 8.0-inch touchscreen shared with different fashions within the Toyota line-up, providing wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, however with out manufacturing unit satellite tv for pc navigation on this spec.

It does supply Toyota Related Providers; nonetheless, which incorporates a 12-month subscription to an array of net-based providers reminiscent of distant features through your smartphone and an clever voice assistant activated by saying “Hey Toyota”.

The thick bezels across the display screen will not be tremendous engaging, however the newest technology of Toyota’s infotainment is a large step ahead in appear and feel in comparison with even the latest iteration, and in apply it’s a a lot snappier and extra fluid expertise.

Wi-fi Apple CarPlay labored flawlessly throughout our time with the Corolla Cross and is a cinch to arrange, whereas audio high quality from the usual six-speaker audio system is ok given the value level and this variant’s positioning.

Under the tablet-style show are bodily local weather controls nicked straight from the Corolla Hatch and Sedan. These are clearly labelled, simple to make use of and properly designed. The GX will get single-zone local weather, whereas GXL and Atmos fashions characteristic dual-zone performance, and all fashions rating rear air vents too.

Storage up entrance can also be good, due to a deep cubby underneath the centre stack. Nevertheless, there’s no wi-fi cellphone charger on this grade. You do get cupholders between the entrance seats, a small-ish centre bin and door pockets that may accommodate a median bottle and different small objects.

Like we assessed on the launch, the Corolla Cross’s rear seat is extra accommodating than some smaller crossovers, however it’s not fairly the scale of one thing like a RAV4. I’m 6’1 and may match behind my most well-liked driving place fantastic; though, it’s a bit cosy when it comes to knee room. Head and toe room in any other case are good for the category.

Two adults will probably be fantastic again there, and the Corolla Cross’s massive rear home windows imply it’s a significantly better household service than the associated C-HR. You additionally get directional rear air vents as talked about earlier, a map pocket behind the entrance passenger seat, in addition to bottle holders within the doorways.

Talking of the children, there are ISOFIX anchors on the outboard positions, in addition to top-tether factors throughout all three rear seats. The boot capability of the Corolla Cross largely will depend on the variant you select, however the GX and GXL 2WD petrol variations supply essentially the most area at 436 litres in five-seat configuration.

You’ll discover a short-term space-saver spare wheel underneath the boot flooring, which is healthier than AWD Hybrid fashions with their restore kits, however rivals just like the Kia Seltos supply full-size spares throughout the majority of the vary.

What’s underneath the bonnet?

Petrol variations of the Corolla Cross run a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine growing 126kW at 6600rpm, and 202Nm between 4400 and 4900rpm. It’s the identical ‘Dynamic Power’ motor because the Corolla Hatch and Sedan.

Drive is shipped to the entrance wheels through a constantly variable transmission (CVT) which options 10 digital ‘speeds’ in its Handbook mode, in addition to a launch gear.

Mixed gas consumption is quoted at 6.0L/100km, whereas CO2 emissions are rated at 136g/km. In contrast to another autos within the Toyota line-up, the petrol engine doesn’t characteristic idle cease/begin know-how.

All variations of the Corolla Cross run on common 91 RON unleaded, with gas tank capability depending on the drivetrain. 2WD petrol variations get a 47-litre gas tank, whereas 2WD Hybrid and AWD Hybrid supply 36L and 43L tanks respectively.

Toyota quotes a 0-100 time of 9.0-9.2 seconds for the petrols. Prime velocity is rated at 198km/h. All variations of the Corolla Cross are rated to tow as much as 750kg (braked).

How does the Toyota Corolla Cross drive?

In step with its entry-level positioning, the bottom Corolla Cross petrol is respectable throughout all metrics with out being a standout.

The naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine fires up with a tinny rumble, and as we’ve skilled in different Toyota fashions with this petrol-CVT drivetrain, it will get together with ordinary duties simply fantastic.

It’s a fundamental, economy-class drivetrain that’s greatest pushed in a extra sedate and relaxed method. Demand extra of it and it could actually get fairly coarse and noisy underneath load, although it no less than interprets to affordable progress all issues thought-about.

The petrol mannequin’s CVT has 10 simulated ‘steps’ and an precise launch gear, so it does job at mimicking a traditional computerized underneath acceleration whereas additionally dropping revs at a cruise to enhance financial system.

It additionally handles in typical Toyota style in that it’s a candy steer. The fluid steering and responsive entrance finish which can be frequent to TNGA-based merchandise today make the Corolla Cross very simple to drive, and there’s a degree of expertise within the chassis that encourages driver engagement.

On a regular basis environments like town and suburbs demand much less from the naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which means the overall atmosphere is clean and refined. Nevertheless, it’s not as responsive nor as environment friendly because the $2500 dearer hybrid model.

In contrast to the bigger RAV4 with successfully the identical engine, the Corolla Cross lacks gas saving idle cease/begin know-how – which meant our traffic-heavy week of day by day commuting noticed the gas consumption blow out into the eights and nines on common in metropolis and concrete settings.

I’ll additionally word the CVT transmission’s bodily launch gear additionally negates the elastic, slingshot sensation that many transmissions of this kind exhibit off the road, which is a robust level.

When you hit the freeway the Corolla Cross once more will get the job performed with out a lot fuss – except you actually push it, which once more results in a shouty engine word.

Being naturally aspirated, peak torque doesn’t come on faucet till fairly excessive within the rev vary – 4400rpm – so for those who’re in a rush or have to overtake, you’ll have to rev arduous to get one of the best out of it. As famous earlier, it’s not essentially the most refined energy unit when being pushed on this method.

As soon as at a cruise; nonetheless, the engine settles into a fairly silent hum, with the CVT in a position to drop revs to about 1500-1600rpm at round 100km/h. Not dangerous. Wind and highway noise ranges are good for the category, in a section the place freeway refinement usually takes a figurative again seat. It’s additionally a notable enchancment on the usual Corolla passenger fashions.

All variations of the Corolla Cross characteristic adaptive cruise management with cease/go that mixes with Lane Hint Help to facilitate semi-autonomous driving on the freeway, and it’s a fairly unintrusive co-pilot, in contrast to Toyota techniques previous.

There are additionally helpful inclusions like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert – although the plentiful glasshouse means outward visibility is kind of good – and there’s even lane change help that lightly steers in direction of the adjoining lane when indicating; a characteristic usually supplied by high-end luxurious vehicles.

Rounding out the headline customary inclusions is a reversing digicam with adaptive tips. It gives respectable decision for the spend – in contrast to the very common encompass cameras on up-spec variations – although there aren’t any supplementary parking sensors on the bottom mannequin.

What do you get?

Corolla Cross GX highlights:

• LED headlights
• Halogen daytime working lights
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• House-saver spare wheel
• Energy folding, heated facet mirrors
• Embossed cloth seats
• Handbook entrance seat adjustment
• Rear seats with tilt perform
• Urethane steering wheel
• Electrical park brake
• 2 x entrance, 2 x rear cupholders
• Retractable baggage cowl
• 60:40-split rear seats
• Computerized local weather management
• 7.0-inch driver’s instrument show
• Good entry and begin
• 12V energy socket, entrance
• USB-C port in centre console
• Energy home windows
• Door pockets with bottle holders
• 8.0-inch touchscreen
• 6-speaker audio
• AM/FM/DAB+ radio
• Bluetooth
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• Toyota Related Providers (12mth subscription)

Is the Toyota Corolla Cross secure?

The Toyota Corolla Cross wears a five-star ANCAP security score in opposition to 2020-2022 standards.

Relevant to all variants, the Corolla Cross managed 85 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 88 per cent for baby occupant safety, 87 per cent for weak highway person safety, and 83 per cent for security help.

ANCAP praised the Corolla Cross for reaching one of the best weak highway person rating in opposition to the 2020-22 standards on the time, although solely Marginal safety of the motive force’s chest was recorded within the frontal offset take a look at, with a penalty utilized.

Commonplace security options embody:

• Toyota Security Sense
  • AEB with Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detection
  • Adaptive cruise management incl. curve velocity discount
  • Auto high-beam
  • Lane departure warning
  • Lane preserve help
  • Lane Hint Help (centring)
  • Lane change help
  • Pace signal help
• Blind-spot monitoring incl. secure exit help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing digicam
• 8 airbags incl. front-centre airbag

GXL provides:

• Parking assist brake incl. car, object detection
• ‘Easy’ panoramic view monitor (360 cameras)

Atmos Hybrid provides:

• Enhanced panoramic view monitor
  • 360 cameras with see-through view
• Superior Park Help
• Parking assist brake incl. Pedestrian detection

How a lot does the Toyota Corolla Cross price to run?

The Corolla Cross is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee which extends to seven years on powertrain elements if the automotive is serviced utilizing Toyota’s capped-price service schedule.

Upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – whichever comes first. Toyota gives inexpensive capped-price servicing for the Corolla Cross, with the primary 5 providers capped at $230 every.

Whereas Toyota claims thrifty gas consumption of 6.0L/100km, we have been seeing nearer to 8-8.5L/100km (indicated) in real-world blended driving situations together with peak-hour commuting and freeway stints.

Given the Corolla Cross Hybrid can obtain underneath 5.0L/100km in the actual world, it’s little marvel why clients go for the electrified model.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota Corolla Cross

Positive it’s dressed like a fleet particular, however the base Corolla Cross reveals off the stable foundations of this crossover vary.

If you happen to’re on the lookout for a secure, wise, no-frills compact SUV that covers all bases and then some, the bottom Corolla Cross might be wager. It’s low-cost to purchase and repair, and is kitted out effectively for the cash. In typical Toyota style, it’s a car you should purchase with peace of thoughts; though, it received’t ignite the senses.

With that stated, our suggestion can be to get the GX Hybrid, which is price each cent of its $2500 premium due to the numerous effectivity and refinement good points – to not point out larger resale – that include its 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain. That’s if you will get your arms on one.

Given the lengthy wait occasions it might even be price trying out the brand new Hyundai Kona too, which gives a base grade in each petrol and hybrid for comparable cash with aggressive ranges of practicality and know-how however with a design that can ignite the senses a bit greater than this Toyota. Plus, you’ll doubtless be ready a shorter interval for one.

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