Toyota Corolla Cross

Toyota Corolla Cross Overview

The 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross is the latest compact crossover SUV to join UMW Toyota Motor’s vehicle line up in Malaysia. Making its Malaysian debut in March 2021, it is based on Toyota’s highly rated TNGA-C platform.

It is the first TNGA-based Toyota to be assembled in Malaysia. There're three variants, the 1.8 G, 1.8 V and the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

Price starts from RM 130,400 for the base 1.8 G, RM 137,400, for the 1.8 V and RM 142,00 for the Corolla Cross Hybrid. It goes head-to-head with the Honda HR-V and the Subaru XV.

Toyota Corolla Cross Exterior

Toyota Corolla Cross, as the name suggests, is a C-segment crossover, designed specifically for the ASEAN demographic. Based on the same TNGA-C platform that also underpins the Toyota CH-R, it occupies a larger footprint despite sharing the same wheelbase, with emphasis put towards interior space and practicality.

Unlike the Toyota CH-R, it is sporting a more ‘grown-up’ look, featuring a large droopy front grille finished in gloss black and flanked by a pair of menacing slim headlights. Utilitarian design approach is also applied here evident by the black plastic cladding on the bumpers and wheel arches, albeit with more finesse here compared to the more ruggedly styled Toyota RAV 4.

In favor of practicality, it inevitably loses some of its funky edge. But that is not to say that the Cross is all work and no play. The slopping roofline is less dramatic here but the chrome trims that runs along the window frame towards the D-pillars adds a premium touch to the side profile.

Front and back skid plates are finished in body colour paint and same goes to the integrated rear spoiler. The rear design is suitably understated with a hint of RAV 4’s polygonal theme with a slightly more rounded edge. The Toyota Corolla Cross is positioned between the Toyota CH-R and the Toyota RAV 4 within Toyota’s crossover SUV lineup.  

Despite officially classified as a C-Segment SUV, it rivals against the similarly priced B-Segment’s Honda HR-V. In terms of sheer size, it dwarfs in comparison to a proper C-Segment SUV like the Honda CR-V, shorter by a good 136 mm.

Toyota Corolla Cross Interior

Thanks to Toyota’s TNGA platform, the sitting position is relatively low compared to the conventional SUV like the Honda CR-V. Outward visibility is excellent thanks to the low windscreen scuttle and the narrow A-pillars.

The interior layout is almost a carbon copy of the Toyota Corolla Altis with few subtle differences like the instrument panel. Driver gets the same three-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel but with analog instrument cluster featuring a smaller 4.2-inch colour multi-info display on the right.

A free standing 9-inch infotainment touch screen display sits above the dashboard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The G and V variants have an analogue instrument cluster, while the Hybrid gains a 7-inch digital screen between two analogue dials.

Black leather seat upholstery with perforation comes as standard and the rear bench feature a 60:40 split with 6 degrees recline angle. Boot space available is 440 L, just a hair bigger than the Honda HR-V’s 437 L. 

Toyota Corolla Cross Features

All variants come with LED headlights, LED combination tail lights, and roof rails. As for wheel sizes, the G variant gets 17-inchers, while the V and Hybrid variants gain 18-inch units.

Some notable features include 8-way power adjustable driver seat, automatic single zone climate control (dual for the hybrid), rear air vents, powered tailgate with kick sensor, front Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and a 3D Panoramic View Monitor (PVM). From a safety perspective, it has 7 airbags across the range.

The 1.8 V and Hybrid variants are equipped with a more comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense system that includes Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 1.8 G makes do with Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and a basic cruise control system. Standard safety feature includes 7 airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TC) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) among other things. 

Toyota Corolla Cross Powertrain 

Power comes courtesy of Toyota’s 2ZR-FE 1.8-litre naturally aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine with dual VVT-i, developing 139 PS at 6,400 RPM and 172 Nm of torque from 4,000 RPM. Top speed is 185 km/h. Power is sent to the front wheels via Aisin’s 7-speed CVT with Sequntial Shiftmatic. Toyota claims that the new incorporated ‘cooperative control’ works together with the electronically controlled throttle for improved drivability, quietness and fuel economy.

As for the Hybrid variant, powering it is a petrol-electric 1.8-litre 2ZR-FXE Atkinson cycle four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an electric motor that allows for a combined system output of 122 PS.

Toyota Corolla Cross Ride Comfort

Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) with lighter body construction and lower centre of gravity promises greater stability and superior handling quality without compromising ride comfort. 

Unlike the more dynamically inclined Toyota C-HR, the Toyota Corolla Cross employs a more comfort-oriented torsion beam setup at the rear as opposed to the more sophisticated double wishbone suspension. 

Paired with the MacPherson Strut up front, the overall result is a comfortable car that is composed on the highway and hold itself reasonably well in the corners.

Read the review of the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid here.

All three variants are competitively priced and comes equipped with a generous amount of equipment. It has been selling well too, a testament to its capabilities as a highly-capable compact SUV that looks the part too.