Toyota Corolla Cross vs Volkswagen Taigo vs Hyundai Creta: Here's our winner

It's the battle of the compact crossovers as the popular Toyota Corolla Cross takes on newcomers from Volkswagen and Hyundai in the form of the Taigo and refreshed Creta. Which one takes the crown, though?

The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is an important product for the Japanese marque, not only because it signals the shift from sedans and hatchbacks to crossovers and SUVs, but also because it is the first model the brand has produced locally which features an electrified powertrain. Despite featuring one of the most iconic badges in the automotive world, does the Cross have what it takes to take on the Volkswagen Taigo and Hyundai Creta, and if so, which one would we choose among the three?

Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Powertrain and performance

The Corolla Cross, in this guise, is powered by a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a small electrical system that works in parallel with the combustion motor. The result is a combined output of 90Kw and 163Nm that is sent through the front wheels via a CVT.  Fuel consumption is an impressive 4.3 L/100km, while Toyota does not claim an official 0-100km/h time.

Standard equipment

The Corolla Cross, in XR guise, gets 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, 6 airbags, outer rear ISOFIX child seat anchor points, climate control, a multifunction steering wheel, a colour screen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, a rearview camera, multiple USB ports, front and rear electric windows, keyless entry/start, front and rear electric windows. There is also an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot assist, leather seats, front and rear PCD and LED headlights. The Corolla also gets the best service plan, offering 6 services/90 000km.

Safety

The Corolla Cross was crash-tested by ASEAN NCAP in 2020, where it achieved a 5-Star rating.

Practicality

The Cross boasts a 440-litre boot with 161mm of ground clearance and seating for five occupants, sporting larger dimensions than the Taigo and the Creta.

Price and value proposition

At R516 900, the Hybrid XR variant of the Corolla Cross represents fantastic value in this particular comparison.

The competition

Volkswagen Taigo

The Taigo features a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine that produces 85kW and 200Nm and is also paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox that sends power to the front wheels, allowing for a 10.0 second 0-100km/h time and a claimed fuel consumption figure of 5.4 L/100km.

The Volkswagen, in Style specification, is R9 700 more expensive than the Toyota, has less specification,  and lacks a reverse camera,  adaptive cruise control, keyless entry/start, lane departure warning blind spot assist and sports 6 airbags and cloth-covered seats. The Taigo was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2022 and received 5-Stars. The Volkswagen is smaller than the Toyota but offers the same boot space at 440-litres. From a value perspective, the Volkswagen comes with a 3-year/45 000km service plan and, admittedly, less specification, but is still reasonably good value.

Hyundai Creta

The Creta features a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that produces 84kW and 144Nm of torque and is paired with a CVT that sends power to the front wheels. The Hyundai will sprint from 0-100km/h in around 11.8 seconds and sip fuel at a claimed rate of 6.3 L/100km.

In the specification department, the Creta is very similar to the Taigo but gets artificial leather seats and only features rear PDC but does get a reverse camera. The Hyundai was crash-tested by ASEAN NCAP, where it achieved a 5-Star rating. Looking at the Creta from a value perspective, it is very similar to the Volkswagen, which costs a similar amount, but its slightly superior service plan of 4 years/60 000km may persuade buyers, despite the Creta having the least impressive powertrain here.

Facts and figures:

* Manufacturer’s claimed figures.

Pricing was all-inclusive at the time of writing but may change without prior notice.

Verdict

Having looked at the figures, it would appear that the Toyota Corolla Cross is the product to go for here, with the best fuel consumption, the most features, the longest service plan and the lowest price, making it the proverbial slam dunk among the three.

Keyword: Toyota Corolla Cross vs Volkswagen Taigo vs Hyundai Creta: Here's our winner