Despite the fact that it was not scheduled to arrive in Europe, the Toyota Corolla Cross small SUV will be imported, and France will be entitled to it as well, even if its arrival date is unknown. What is the value of this missing link between C-HR and RAV4?
The Corolla Cross has the same length as numerous European blockbusters, such as the Peugeot 3008 or Volkswagen Tiguan, at 4.46 meters. This tiny SUV, however, was not to make the voyage to the Old Continent when it was presented in Thailand in the summer of 2020.
As a result, we were surprised to see him in Brussels during the Kenshiki forum, which Toyota has held every year since 2019 to promote its strategy and new products in Europe. It was readily explained why he was here. Finally, in the fall of 2022, this new offspring of the renowned Corolla family will be transported into our territories.
Its release date in France has yet to be established, but the model will be available there. It will even have the privilege of releasing the fifth generation of the in-house hybrid system, which will be made in Japan and tweaked for the occasion. As a result, Argus quickly jumped on board to see what this newcomer might add to an already crowded industry.
The Corolla Cross fills in a void in Toyota’s portfolio. It’s designed to be more family-friendly than its younger sibling, the C-HR, while also being less boxy than the RAV4. As a result, it is 7 cm longer than the first, but 14 cm shorter than the second. Its height of 1.62 m, as well as its breadth, put it in the middle of the two.
As a result, on paper, this latest addition has the right proportions to establish itself in our market. However, it has the same 2.64 m wheelbase as the C-HR and Corolla 5-door, although the Tiguan and 3008 have 4 cm more between the two wheels. We’ll see if this has an effect on the rear’s habitability later.
The C-HR, which debuted in 2016, was a bet on novelty, with fake coupe airs. Despite the fact that the Corolla sedan and station wagon are more traditional, their narrow boomerang optics and wide mouth set low enough make them stand out. The Corolla Cross, in comparison, looks to be much smarter.
Even if they switch to a more modern light signature in Europe, the headlights and taillights are still pretty striking and traditional. As shown by its highly square wheel arches, vertical tailgate, and split back pillar, this SUV is ultimately closest to the RAV4. Despite its massive trapezoidal grille, he opts for a considerably less angular artistic language, which may reassure some… or be perceived as excessively timid by others.
It is eventually in the inside where belonging to the Corolla family shows through. In reality, the sedan and station wagon share the majority of the dashboard. A piece of furniture that, sadly, we discovered was beginning to show its age during a recent battle with the Opel Astra.
Because to the “old-fashioned” gear lever, the storage space between the seats is discovered to be fairly limited. There are also some dated-looking buttons, such as those for the heated seats, and a gloomy overall ambience. We’ll have to wait and see what the build quality is like. The specimen we approached was a pre-series, which meant that the unfavorable materials were not necessarily final.
Nonetheless, Toyota has made certain attempts, especially to the European market, to inject some modernism into the mix. This is the first time the firm has gone with all-digital instrumentation and a huge 12.3-inch screen.
There will be a variety of meter designs to choose from, as well as additional customizing options. However, we may be disappointed that the GPS map cannot be seen in full size, and that the head-up display, which projects information onto the windshield, is no longer an option. The center touch screen is also becoming bigger, moving from a maximum of 8 inches on the sedan to 10.5 inches on the SUV.
The Toyota C-HR is classified as a small SUV, although it is certainly not the most accommodating in its classification. It’s enough to glance at it to make you suspicious! The Corolla Cross doesn’t have much issue doing better, thanks to its much higher height and more straighter top.
The bench is already considerably more accessible. Then there’s the fact that the taller glass surfaces make it feel less claustrophobic, and the headroom is great for larger kids. The friendly cellars will also be appreciated. But there will be no miracles, as the wheelbase must remain same, and legroom will remain average. The Cross isn’t much better than the sedan in this regard, which isn’t exactly a benchmark in its class.
Unfortunately, the bench does not slide; only the tilt of the backrests may be adjusted. The center plaza, which is harsher and narrower than the others, is similarly designed to assist rather than to permanently seat travelers.
The trunk, in particular, should benefit from the 9-centimeter increase in length over the sedan. Although Toyota has not provided a volume and we have not been able to take precise measurements, this luggage area appeared to us to be taller, longer, and broader than the Corolla 5-door. With a low loading threshold, an electronically opening tailgate, and highly square forms as a plus.
Only the right-hand protrusion stands out: it conceals the 12 volt battery. Electrical accessories are required, although the latter no longer encroaches on the loading height. This was one of the most serious problems in the remainder of the Corolla hybrid lineup. 2.0. At launch, this engine will be the only one offered in the European Corolla Cross, although in a configuration that has yet to be revealed.
The hybrid has a power output of around 200 horsepower.
The SUV’s most notable feature is, in fact, carefully camouflaged. He is in charge of launching the fifth iteration of the brand’s HSD hybrid technology.
With a new lithium-ion traction battery under the rear seat, which is 40 percent lighter and more powerful than the old one. As a result, the power of the electric motor that drives the 2.0 atmospheric four-cylinder may be enhanced at the same time.
The system’s overall power ranges from 184 to 197 horsepower. Despite the lack of a turbo, the 100 horsepower per liter mark is not far away. The manufacturer’s planetary gear transmission, for example, benefits from a variety of enhancements, including a new lubrication system that uses low viscosity lubricants. Despite its higher weight and less favorable aerodynamics, the Corolla Cross would be able to accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour as quickly as the Touring Sports station wagon.
However, it is the enjoyment, not the performance, that may be improved. Toyota promises to deliver a more linear acceleration response in order to eliminate the effect of runaway engines, which has been a source of criticism in the past.
Only the tests, which will be conducted at the end of October, will be able to determine whether or not the contract has been completed. In any event, the hybrid engine, which does not require recharging, promises to be one of the model’s most valuable assets. Especially considering it will be possible to acquire it in the AWD-i variant for an extra fee.
As with the RAV4 and the new Yaris Cross, a tiny electric motor with a power output of 30.6 kW (42 hp) will be installed in the rear axle, allowing four-wheel drive to be used. The other Corollas and the C-HR were unaware of the plan. It’s still unclear what the pricing will be, but they’ll have to be far lower than those of plug-in hybrid competitors in order to break through. The 122bhp 1.8 hybrid, which is already available in other regions, may have lowered the rating, but it is not currently planned in Europe.
The advent of the Corolla Cross in Europe is implacably reasonable, even if it was not originally anticipated. This SUV, with its format and appearance, is ideal for individuals who considered the C-HR either too small or too adventurous. As a result, he will be able to take on the Nissan Qashqai, Peugeot 3008, VW Tiguan, and the Renault Kadjar successor in a more direct manner.
But, despite its new displays, by using the dashboard of a Corolla that is more than three years old, this newcomer runs the risk of seeming antiquated even before its introduction on the Old Continent, at the end of 2022. Its rather sensible silhouette won’t help it stand out, and its back roominess won’t establish new standards, either.
However, don’t overlook this new player, as it ushers in a new generation of Toyota’s hybrid technology with promising upgrades. This engine, which is almost unrivaled in the segment, might be the deciding factor for many purchasers, especially because it may also be offered in a four-wheel-drive version.
Keyword: Toyota Corolla Cross 2023, Hybrid Compact SUV Unveiled