Following the announcement of the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid's estimated prices last Friday, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has also updated prices of the rest of the model's range to reflect its now locally-assembled (CKD) status.

There's a few differences between them and the earlier fully-imported (CBU Thailand) batches, which we'll explore here.

Prices – Slightly cheaper now

As expected, the Corolla Cross benefits from slightly reduced prices, but not by too much. The 1.8G variant gets an RM 1,000 reduction from before, while the 1.8V is RM 266 cheaper than previous. 

Here are the sales and service tax (SST) exempt prices of the Corolla Cross:

Equipment – 1.8G gets more kit

Checks with several dealers point that the locally-assembled SUVs also adds on more kit, particularly on the base 1.8G variant.

The 1.8G now gets Bi-LED headlights and LED tail lights, just like the 1.8V variant. The Hybrid, being the range-topper, naturally gets Bi-LED headlights too, but with blue accents.

Also read: Thais celebrate Toyota Corolla Cross' success with Modellista kit; something Malaysians want too?

Other than that, its said that noise-suppressing acoustic windshield and roof rails will be standard fitment on all variants.

Meanwhile, variant-exclusive features on the Corolla Cross Hybrid includes a drive mode selector, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, automatic dual-zone climate control, and Celestite Grey Metallic exterior colour.

Powertrain – Hybrid and pure petrol options

Naturally the non-hybrid 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated engine (139 PS / 172 Nm) remains unchanged, paired to a CVT.

As for the Corolla Cross Hybrid, its powertrain should mirror the Thai-spec car's: pairing a 72 PS / 163 Nm electric motor to a 98 PS / 142 Nm 1.8 litre Atkinson cycle engine (shared with the Prius), for a combined system output of 122 PS. These are paired to an e-CVT.

Note that you cannot simply add the torque figures because both the engine and electric motor spins at different speeds.

Also read: Buying a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid? Does it handle flooded roads poorer than regular cars?

Safety kit - Toyota Safety Sense available

The Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) is offered on the 1.8V and hybrid variants, bringing with it:

• Pre-collision system (PCS)
• Lane Departure Alert with steering alert (LDA)
• Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
• Automatic High Beam (AHB)
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC, all-speed)

The 1.8G variant misses out on these, but there's respectable passive safety in place. Across the board, the Corolla Cross gets 7 airbags, seatbelt warnings, and ISOFIX mounts.

Bookings of the Corolla Cross Hybrid are now officially open, and customers placing their orders now can look forward to receiving CKD cars.