Toyota Corolla Cross is a best friend

“Name a Toyota SUV” was a question not too long ago that you could almost answer heads or tails: you had the RAV4 and the C-HR. At the same time, with this Corolla Cross added, the SUV lineup is about seven pieces. Count together. The top legs of the family already start with the Aygo and Yaris Cross versions, then you have the C-HR and the Corolla Cross, RAV4, Highlander and the all-electric bZ4X. We dare not mention number eight in the same list, because that is a lonely class: the legendary Land Cruiser. That’s an off-road vehicle for professionals and not an SUV or a crossover. But should you call this Corolla a crossover or an SUV? We will try that. It has slightly less clearance than the larger RAV4, but what about its other features?

You almost wonder if it has a right to exist, because its distance to the C-HR and RAV4 is not that great. That not everyone likes the aggressive lines of the C-HR, we already said in its introduction. For those people there is now a Corolla Cross designed for a certain quietness. It also offers more space in the back than the C-HR. Toyota is talking mostly about the SUV look of the Corolla Cross and that is the nail on the head. Don’t expect real SUV features from this rugged Corolla, but do expect more looks and performance than the regular Corolla, which doesn’t look much alike. Let’s mention the size to clarify what at first seems a little diffuse. This Corolla crossover is 4.46 meters long, 182.5 cm wide, 1.62 meters tall and has a wheelbase of 264 cm. The wheelbase and platform is the same as that of the C-HR, but otherwise it falls nicely in terms of size and weight between C-HR and RAV4.

Internal affairs

In terms of practical characteristics, it is also a mid-engine. Because don’t expect miracles from a car that’s simpler than the C-HR. As an adult, you feel trapped in it by the sloping roofline, because it costs the bedroom, but it is also dark in the back because of the small glass surface. Sitting in the back of the Corolla is more pleasant, but in terms of space, it does not score more than enough. The back seat can’t support your thighs if you’re taller and your knees stick out more than the front seat.

In addition, a few practical details: the cup holders are clearly visible and located high in the rear doors. They don’t have door pockets, which is due to the limited space available there. The doors are not very big and the angle that they open can be a little big. The backrest can be placed in two positions, just like on an airplane, but the seat itself cannot be moved. Then if you look at the luggage compartment and squeeze the sofa in the wrong places, you will see why. The difference in height between the bench folded down and the rest of the loading floor is at least ten centimeters. That’s because the battery pack is hidden under the back seat. The volume of the luggage compartment with the seats and the luggage rack in place is 428 liters, and this RAV4 is 152 liters more. Compared to a good station wagon, SUVs don’t add much in this area: the station wagon version of the Corolla is larger at 598 liters. it’s actually a D part instead of a C part.

Drive

This version of the Corolla Cross has received the latest hybrid version of the fifth generation. The combination of a two-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor provides a system power of 197 hp. Hybrid technology with a new lithium-ion battery pack was not only 14 percent lighter, but also 14 percent more efficient. The cooling of the battery pack has also been optimized for this purpose.

That they are perfectionists at Toyota is also evident from the ongoing efforts to make what is good better. And that also applies to the power train. Because despite the fact that it has been economical and reliable for decades, it was not the best to handle. Those who accelerated above average could always hear the engine roaring through the power transfer through the continuously variable transmission, which is inherent in the hybrid powertrain design. They also noticed that at Toyota and that’s why they have again tried to balance the acceleration and acceleration level in this generation. That’s certainly improved, but it’s not completely gone. Smart tuning has made the sound response more direct and the acceleration balanced with the sound response.

Toyota is positioning the Cross mainly as a classic family car. If you’re not guilty of ripping, it’s okay to live with a hybrid. Feel steering is adequate, not too sharp and informative enough. Body control is good without too much body roll, while we like the chassis to be quite smooth and comfortable. The brakes are easy to use. The cockpit is always fully digital with two displays. The menu structure is more logical than before, so you don’t have to dig too much and the volume control also helps. The graphics are sharper and more beautiful than before. Broadly speaking, this Cross cockpit is a good place to work, also because of the space in the cabin, the shape of the seats and the seating position. The build quality, fit and materials used are above average. Everything is aimed at practical use and multi-functionality. The number of driver assistants has increased further and the T-Mate, as Toyota calls its bodyguards, has become more intelligent again. The assistance system now also intervenes with throttle compression and steering intervention at intersections with oncoming traffic if you threaten to make a mistake. The good news is that the intrusion of all those electronic devices has not increased much.

Final decision

The conclusion is that Toyota has managed to fill a small hole in an interesting way with this Corolla Cross. It’s for people who find the C-HR sleek and narrow and the RAV4 too big. The weakest point is that it is currently only available with one – albeit good and economical – powertrain. A cheaper 1.8 version may follow, but no other non-hybrid variants. Always the front wheel of the Corolla Cross car must depend not only on its performance, but also on its appearance. For many people that is more important than its horse qualities, which is why this Corolla Cross is not only a middle partner for them, but probably the best companion.