First Drive: Toyota Corolla Cross

First Drive: Toyota Corolla Cross

Ask most carmakers what makes a crossover a best-seller, and the response would likely be a mumble along the lines of “customer preference” or “shifting market trends." I say “most” since Toyota seems to have cracked the algorithm of what it is that makes buyers tick with its Corolla Cross. 

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In 2024 alone, Toyota shifted more than 22,000 units of its segment-leading Corolla Cross in SA, making a considerable dent in the overall 128,663 locally sold Toyota vehicles throughout last year. Now, with its updated model, it says it has listened to its customers. It's not exactly a radical approach, but one that’s working. 

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At first glance, the front end flexes a revised bumper and grille that now houses a rather bold geometric pattern, bringing the overall look more in line with the general NEV (New Energy Vehicle) steamroll Toyota is building towards. The rear look of XR and GR-S models, meanwhile, has seen the addition of sequential indicator lights. To add to this, Toyota has rolled out two new colour options to complement the Cross: Brass Gold and Oxide Bronze. 

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Inside, Toyota’s customer-centric updates are front and centre with subtle changes like genuine stitching on the instrument panel and rear reclining seats that elevate the interior look and feel. As for features and tech, the Corolla Cross now has an electric parking brake as opposed to the foot brake and a full suite of USB Type-C ports that help with charging and phone mirroring with built-in Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. 

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Infotainment screens vary according to trim, with XS, XR, and GR-S models getting a 10.1-inch infotainment display while the entry-level Xi trim makes do with an 8-inch centre display. XR and GR-S models have also seen a considerable increase in instrument cluster screen real estate from 7 inches to a fully fledged and selectable themed 12.3 inches. The XS, meanwhile, now boasts a 7-inch instrument readout cluster as opposed to its former 4.2-inch display. While the instrument screens on the XS and XR models we tested during launch give clear and concise readouts about all relevant driving information, Toyota has also enhanced its safety suite to further align its crossover with buyer demands. 

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The higher-grade models received a 360-degree monitor for easier parking visibility, while the XR model I tested features adaptive cruise control as well as lane-keep assist. It works near-seamlessly on better-maintained road infrastructure, but the lane-keep assist tends to get overexcited on less-than-pristine back roads, prompting a swift manual deactivation of the system. Still, these features are a step forward to help make SA roads safer from the perils of distracted driving. 

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Under the bonnet, the Corolla Cross retains its two-powertrain approach with the 1.8-litre naturally aspirated engine that produces 103kW and 172Nm at the core and the 1.8 HEV hybrid option (1.8-litre plus e-motor) producing 90kW and 142Nm that’s available with the Xs, XR, and GR-S derivatives. It continues to drive Toyota’s NEV push to increase its market share beyond the 92% it’s currently occupying in the C-segment SUV space specifically related to NEVs. 

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While the Xs (without hybrid assistance) is more than up to the task of dealing with everyday driving demands, it’s the hybrid that commands attention, specifically for its versatility and, naturally, fuel economy aspects. It offers a smooth pull-away when the battery is charged, and should it run out, it refers driving duties back to the 1.8-litre petrol engine. It’s a rather pronounced switch, but one that gets the job done until such time that it recuperates electric energy on the fly and driving conditions are met for the electric motor to resume operation. The result is an especially frugal crossover for urban commutes that saves precious petrol during idling and stop-and-go traffic. 

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And, is the CVT still present? Yes, and while the droning is still present too, it’s easy to forgive this gearbox when driving within city confines, especially the non-hybrid model, as it has more mechanical power and torque on hand. The hybrid’s CVT is more prone to the dreaded drone and rubberbanding, but then again, wringing it out defeats the inherent economic purpose of the Corolla Cross Hybrid. 

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Pricing for the Toyota Corolla Cross starts at R414,800 for the Xi and tops out at R561,700 for the GR-S HEV. Considering the features list, Toyota’s service plan (90,000km, six services), 3-year and 100,000km warranty, and 8-year warranty on the hybrid battery, it's hard to see that this crossover will be knocked off its perch anytime soon. 

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Corolla Cross 1.8 Xi: R414,800

Corolla Cross 1.8 X: R452,200

Corolla Cross 1.8 Xs HEV: R494,400

Corolla Cross 1.8 XR: R501,500

Corolla Cross 1.8 XR HEV: R545,200

Corolla Cross 1.8 GR-S: R518,200

Corolla Cross 1.8 GR-S HEV: R561,700

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