The Toyota Corolla Cross 2022 has officially arrived in Australia, adding to the already extensive choice of SUVs on the market. As Toyota’s eighth SUV, it aims to bridge the gap between the light-sized Yaris Cross and the mid-sized RAV4. With a price range of $33,000 to around $50,000, it offers a familiar 2-liter petrol engine driving the front wheels or a new hybrid powertrain with the option of two or all-wheel drive.
The Corolla Cross doesn’t share much in terms of exterior design with its hatch or sedan siblings. Its design is not overly bold or exciting, but it’s unlikely to discourage buyers given the Corolla’s popularity as Australia’s best-selling small car in 2021.
The Corolla Cross boasts a spacious cabin with a higher seating position, providing a more commanding view of the road ahead. It shares many materials and equipment with the Corolla hatch and sedan, but offers more cabin space. The SUV also brings a heap of tech improvements, making it Toyota’s most technologically advanced model to date, with connected services for the first time.
Boot capacity in the Corolla Cross SUV ranges from 380 to 436 liters, depending on the variant and powertrain. This offers more generous boot space than the hatchback, making it a great option for those who don’t necessarily need or want something as big or expensive as the RAV4.
The Corolla Cross is 25mm higher off the ground than the hatchback it’s based on, but shares almost all of the same mechanical bits underneath. It offers a smooth ride around town, with relatively nimble handling. The hybrid engine delivers decent power, even if it can be a little noisy under hard acceleration. The steering feels a bit doughy, making it less sporty than rivals like the Hyundai Kona, Volkswagen T-Roc, and Mazda CX-30.
The Corolla Cross debuts Toyota’s latest safety equipment, Safety Sense 3.0, with new features like a rear exit assist warning and improved junction turn assists. It also offers connected services and better infotainment and instrument clusters compared to the Corolla hatch and sedan.
The Toyota Corolla Cross 2022 has a solid combination of value, efficiency, interior space, and a less polarizing design. With the familiar Corolla name, it has a good head start in the small SUV market.
Click Here to watch the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross review on YouTube.