New Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid – Quality, Efficiency & More.

New Toyota Corolla Cross – Quality, Efficiency & More.

The world’s most popular family car over the past five decades, the Toyota Corolla, now has a new SUV variant, the Corolla Cross. It is built on the same platform, and it has the same wheelbase as the Corolla hatchback, and it is offered with a petrol/electric hybrid powertrain that sends power to the car’s front wheels. The Corolla Cross has a bespoke body that features a tall, upright SUV stance, a high seating position and a much greater boot space than the Corolla hatchback, with black plastic wheel arch protectors, lower door trim and lower bumper trim elements providing Toyota’s newest SUV with a rugged go-anywhere look.

Fifth-Generation Hybrid Tech.

The hybrid technology in the new Corolla Cross is exceptionally reliable and well proven, having evolved from the original Prius which was released in 1997. Now in its fifth generation, the hybrid powertrain produces strong, tractable performance at low to midrange revs – where many drivers do the majority of their driving – and is considerably quieter and more refined than ever before, especially on a motorway. With the Corolla Cross capable of spending more than half its driving time in fully electric mode, it will come as no surprise that a fuel consumption figure of 5.0l/100km (56.5mpg) is achievable on a WLTP combined driving cycle.

Three Trim & Two Engine Options.

There are three trim grades (Luna, Sport and Sol) and two petrol/electric hybrid powertrain options (1.8 or 2.0-litre) to choose from in the new Corolla Cross. The 1.8-litre engine  produces 140hp and is available across all trim grades, with the 2.0-litre (197hp) unit available exclusively in Sport and Sol grades.

New Infotainment Tech.

Toyota’s new infotainment system includes a 10.5-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, and connectivity to a range of interactive services via the ‘MyT Connected Services’ app. Also included across the model range is a six-speaker audio system, Cloud Navigation, Type A & Type C USB ports, and a Bluetooth™ hands-free system with Smart voice assistance.

Space-Efficient Cabin & Boot.

The ergonomic cabin in the Corolla Cross is incredibly space-efficient, with excellent visibility and ample headroom on offer for all occupants. Materials and finishes are of typically solid Toyota quality, and the well-laid-out dashboard ensures that all of the important controls are within easy reach of the driver. The driver and front-seat passenger sit high in supportive seats, and rear-seat comfort is also good, with reclining seatbacks and enough room for tall teens or adults. Boot space is similarly impressive, with up to 473 litres of space available behind the rear seats, and up to 1,404 litres available with the rear seats folded down.

Best-in Class Safety.

All versions of the Corolla Cross come with Toyota Safety Sense 3 (TSS3) as standard. This best-in-class driver assist safety tech in entry-level Luna trim consists of eight airbags, Pre-Collision System with Intersection Collision Avoidance Support, Pre-Collision System with pedestrian & daytime Cyclist and Motorbike detection, Front-to-Front Oncoming Car and Motorbike detection (day) on Pre-Collision system, Emergency Driving Stop System, Proactive Driving Assist, Emergency Steering Assist on Pre-Collision system, rear seat belt reminder, rear-view camera, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Control, Road Sign Assist, Lane Trace Assist, and Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control. Additional TSS3 features in Sport and Sol trim variants include a Blind Spot Monitor, Safe Exit Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with automatic braking (for cars), and Intelligent Parking Sensors front & rear for objects and vehicles.

Test Car.

My mid-spec Corolla Cross Sport test car looked spectacular in its dynamic Tokyo Red Pearlescent paintwork, and was fitted with Toyota’s new-generation 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain. In addition to the generous standard equipment tally in the entry-level Luna trim grade, the Sport variant benefits from Bi-beam LED headlights, 18-inch dark grey machined-face alloy wheels, privacy glass, illuminated entry system, Smart Entry & Start System, and black roof rails, along with the additional TSS3 safety features mentioned above. The 1798cc 4-cylnder petrol engine works in union with an electric motor that is powered by a Lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 4.08kW, and this combination provides the car with 140hp and 142Nm of torque at 3,600rpm. As a result, a 0-100km/h sprint can be completed in 9.9-seconds, on its way to an electronically-limited top speed of 170km/h. The CVT (automatic) transmission is smooth and efficient, with much better liveliness from a standing start than usual for this type of transmission, while the hybrid drivetrain is self-charging, eliminating the need to plug in. The new Corolla Cross offers quite a relaxing and enjoyable driving experience, and it is easy to find a comfortable driving position thanks to ample adjustment options for both the seat and steering wheel. A higher centre of gravity and softer suspension than the Corolla hatchback enables the Corolla Cross to deliver a truly comfortable and compliant ride quality, in keeping with what drivers expect from a modern-day SUV. The steering is suitably light and it helps make car park manoeuvres and roundabouts ever so easy to negotiate, while the front & rear parking sensors, along with the rear-view camera, take the guess work out of getting in and out of tight spaces. Drivers can choose between Eco, Normal and Power drive modes by pressing a button that is situated in front of the gear selector, while an ‘EV Mode’ button is also located close by.

Verdict, Pricing & Warranty.

The compact SUV class is becoming very crowded now, but the new Corolla Cross is certainly one of the front runners. Toyota’s reputation for outstanding build quality, reliability and durability is legendary, and the Corolla Cross is a worthy addition to the ever-popular Corolla model line-up. The new Corolla Cross is priced from €37,870 (Luna 1.8) with my test car specification priced from €40,180. A 3-year/100,000km warranty comes as standard on all Toyota passenger cars, along with a 5-year/100,000km warranty on Hybrid Components.

Visit www.toyota.ie for further information.