After the Yaris, In 2020, Toyota equipped its compact Corolla with an SUV variant called the Corolla Cross. First offered in Asia, Africa, North and South America and Japan, it sneaked into Europe in 2022. This applies to our Belgian friends, where it is offered from autumn 2022. But what model are we talking about? With a length of 4.46 m, the Corolla Cross is part of the C-SUV segment. Although it is more modest in terms of style, it shares this segment with the C-HR in Toyota’s range. However, the Corolla Cross stands out in traffic with its XXL radiator grille at the front, and on the sides the underbody protection and black plastic wheel contours a more muscular, more adventurous touch.

A more family-friendly alternative to the C-HR

The interior is modern, but not high-tech, with relatively laconic furniture on the dashboard, where only the air conditioner has physical controls. The rest inevitably passes 10.5-inch central screen which controls a new generation connected multimedia system capable, in particular, of receiving updates remotely (“over the air”). And, of course, it is worth noting that the Japanese SUV is equipped with all the latest innovations in the field of active and passive safety, which are now combined under the name T-Mate. Its viability is suitable for family use, but not exceptional the trunk is quite generous, unable to offer a flat boot sill or variable floor. Corolla Cross debuts under the hood new hybrid enginealready 5 generations of the system that makes Toyota famous.

For France or not?

Two versions are offered. One is front-wheel drive, equipped with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 171 hp, combined with an electric motor with a capacity of 113 hp. The other one is with a heat engine boosted to 152 hp, which is compensated by a second electric motor with a capacity of 41 hp. on the rear axle, which provides four-wheel drive. Therefore, both together offer 197 hp, which is transmitted through an automatic transmission eCVT. Tempting, isn’t this model? There have been rumors for some time that it will arrive in France in the spring of 2023, according to official information from the brand.

We are almost at the threshold of 2024, and there is no family SUV in sight. There’s a reason for this: Toyota prefers to use its C-HR sibling, whose the new generation should enter dealerships from January 2024. With a sales target of 20,000 units from 2024, the group’s French subsidiary has made no secret of its ambitions, but appears to fear the arrival of the Corolla Cross will wipe out sales of the new model. Too bad we won’t see it on our roads anytime soon…

Read also:

Test of the new Toyota C-HR (2024): a worthy successor?

Toyota Hilux: the first images of the new generation

By 2025, Europe will import 800,000 Chinese cars