With a tagline that says "The next big thing" and “Why settle for less”, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) isn’t hiding the fact that it has a better-equipped product to rival the Honda HR-V with the soon-to-be launched 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross.

Speaking of better equipped, keep in mind that specifications of the Toyota Corolla Cross have yet to be confirmed. UMWT will announce the model's specs on 25-March.

Also Read: "Why settle for less?" UMWT's Toyota Corolla Cross tells you to skip the HR-V

Rightfully so too, seeing that UMWT had to watch on the sidelines since 2015 as the Honda HR-V steadily became the best-selling non-national SUV in Malaysia.

Come next week, UMWT will launch the highly-anticipated 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross – the model that UMWT hopes will steer customers away from Honda showrooms.

What is the Toyota Corolla Cross?

With a name like Corolla Cross, it is clear that the model is a crossover version of the Toyota Corolla Altis. Most of the Corolla Cross’ attributes, including its powertrain, features, and safety equipment should largely mirror the Corolla Altis.

Compared to the ageing-but-still-popular Honda HR-V, UMWT has a number tricks in store with the Corolla Cross to one-up the HR-V.

Speaking of tricks, keep in mind that specifications of the 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross have yet to be confirmed. 

Also Read: What the Corolla Altis lost to the Civic, the Toyota Corolla Cross will recover from the HR-V

The Corolla Cross will achieve what the C-HR failed

For starters is that the Corolla Cross will likely have a generous suite of safety equipment.

Specifications of the Toyota Corolla Cross will only be announced on 25-March, but safety features should mirror the Corolla Altis 1.8 G. As such, the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) ADAS suite can be expected on upper variants of the Corolla Cross.

The Honda HR-V only offers the LaneWatch camera on the range-topping RS variant, never mind the Honda Sensing ADAS suite.

On top of that, seeing that the Corolla Altis is also equipped with a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and a 360-degree view monitor, the Corolla Cross will likely offer that too. Both of which are also unavailable on the HR-V.

We can also expect the local-spec Toyota Corolla Cross to offer rear air-conditioning vents, seeing that Corolla Altis does. The HR-V lacks rear air-conditioning vents, instead relying on the front vents to cool the entire cabin.

Also Read: Review: 2020 Toyota Corolla Cross - What the Thai media says

The Thai-spec Toyota Corolla Cross offers 487 litres of boot space, though that figure may not be representative of the Malaysian-spec car, as the Thai car lacks a spare wheel. With the spare wheel in place, boot capacity is reduced to 440 litres – still more than the Honda HR-V’s 437 litres.

Like the Honda HR-V, the Malaysian-spec Toyota Cross is powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.8-litre petrol engine. Seeing that the engine in the Corolla Altis does 139 PS and 172 Nm, these figures should be identical for the Corolla Cross. Against the Honda HR-V, the Corolla Cross’ offers 3 PS less than the Honda, though torque is identical.

Both cars feature a CVT-type automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. 

Also Read: The CKD 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross will do what the C-HR couldn’t

When is the Toyota Corolla Cross coming?

As reported a couple of days ago, UMWT will launch the the Corolla Cross on 25-March. 

Also Read: UMWT wants you to cross realms! Confirms Toyota Corolla Cross launch in new teaser

Earlier, we reported that the Toyota Corolla Cross will be assembled at Toyota's Bukit Raja plant, but the recent spyshot of the crossover at Westport, Klang indicates that the initial batch will be imported (CBU) from Thailand. Local assembly is expected to commence at a later date.

Also Read: Spied: 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross spotted in Malaysia, CBU first, CKD later