Here are the post-SST prices for Toyota Corolla Cross – circa RM 3k – RM 5k increase

With the current sales tax (SST) exemption for locally-assembled (CKD) passenger cars due to expire by 30-June 2022, UMW Toyota has already announced post-SST prices for most of its popular models, including the Toyota Vios, Yaris, Corolla Altis, Hilux, Innova, and Fortuner.

Curiosly, the Toyota Corolla Cross, is not on the list. Toyota’s website still lists SST-exempted prices for the SUV, which is no longer relevant because if you were to book a Toyota Corolla Cross today in April 2022, you won’t be able to get your car until August 2022.

Like many other models, the ongoing shortage in automotive semiconductor parts – which by the way, will ease but won’t completely go away until 2024 – makes it difficult for manufacturers to plan their production schedules, which in turn makes it impossible for dealers to give an accurate estimate on vehicle delivery date to customers.

Also read: Honda Malaysia: Expect delays in new car deliveries due to chip shortage

We can now confirm that the new SST-inclusive prices for the Toyota Corolla Cross are:

As you can see, prices went up by around RM 3k to RM 5k, with the hybrid variant seeing the lowest increase, implying its better value (more of what you pay goes to the car rather than tax to the government).

Demand for the 1.8 Hybrid variant is also a lot higher than supply, versus regular combustion engine 1.8G and 1.8V variants.

Given the fluidity of the supply situation, dealers are very cautious in making any promises on delivery dates.

To be safe, most dealers are playing it safe by communicating a 5-month waiting period for the Hybrid variant, meaning that if you book one today, you can only expect to get your car by September. Waiting for the 1.8G and 1.8V is around 4 months, (estimated delivery by August).

If the semiconductor parts supply situation improves and waiting period becomes shorter, then that’s your gain.

To recap, here are the difference in features between the three variants.

The 1.8G and 1.8V variants are paired by a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated DOHC Dual VVT-i (engine code 2ZR-FE) that makes 139 PS / 172 Nm, paired to a CVT-type automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

The 1.8 Hybrid variant uses an Atkinson cycle variant of the 2ZR series engine (engine code 2ZR-FXE), making a total system output of 122 PS, transmitted to the front wheels via an E-CVT system.