As the 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross heads to Japan, how it looks is pretty much an open secret. It's said to launch there on 14-September, but as so often the case, leaked information has found its way to the Internet way before that happens.

Exterior - Family face, sequential turn signals

The Japan-spec Corolla Cross gains an altogether different front fascia that looks far fiercer than the car we see in Malaysia or just about anywhere else.

Also read: Selling fast in Malaysia, Toyota Corolla Cross debuts in the USA - 2.0 Dynamic Force engine, AWD available!

It's also got a 'C' insignia sitting on the front grille, a badge shared with the rest of the Corolla line-up in Japan.

This is the interesting bit: the headlights may look familiar, but you'd have probably noticed they look just a touch different from what we're used to.

It's a functional difference, as higher-end variants of the Japan-spec Corolla Cross get quad-beam LED headlights with sequential LED turn signals.

So far, this seems to be Japan-exclusive as Corolla Cross' sold elsewhere aren't outfitted with them.

Also read: In Brazil, the Toyota Corolla Cross is Toyota's bestseller, outselling the Corolla sedan

Wheel designs differ too, and depending on variant, customers will get either dual-tone, directional-spokes or simpler plain silver units.

8 monotone colours will be offered, and there's variant-based differences on the exterior as well.

Also read: 50 mil cars later, here are 12 reasons why the Toyota Corolla remains strong

Interior - All-black, similar to Malaysia's

On the flipside, the interior remains conservative, with an all-black, single colour scheme broken up by bits of silver.

Upholstery ranges from fabric to leather (contingent to variant), and there's niceties like rear air-cond vents, the digital instrument cluster (something Malaysians miss out on), and an electronic parking brake (EPB).

Also read: 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross’ TSS 2.0 detailed; better choice than the HR-V?

That said, the Japan-spec Corolla Cross separates itself with models sold elsewhere with the inclusion of a rather large panoramic sunroof.

Note that in some other markets, the model gets a smaller moonroof instead.

Accessories - Modellista's been busy

Modellista has also wasted no time in crafting accessories for the Corolla Cross.

Though details will follow sooner rather than later, it seems the company will be offering more than just a bodykit for the SUV.

Variants and pricing - To start from ~RM 75k?

Though performance details are still under wraps, Japanese customers can choose between pure-petrol or a hybrid powertrain.

Variants and price estimates are as below:

Closer to home, we've taken the Corolla Cross for a spin recently. The video and article linked below shows our first impressions of the model.

Also read: Quick Review: 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross in Malaysia, the proper benchmark for family SUVs