Toyota Corolla Cross

A quick reminder: the Cross is not a big Corolla, but a completely different model. The technical affinity between the Corolla hatchback and the Corolla Cross is nil; only the character matches. In fact, both cars were developed to appeal to the widest possible target group. They do so with an unspoken look that will not disappoint anyone. Yet this round of renewals starts with the looks, as Toyota has tweaked the front to better match recently introduced models. As far as Autozine is concerned, the facelift really is progress, as the look is modern without alienating itself from the target audience.

In addition to the new nose, there is also a new colour: Storm Grey. This new blue-grey gives the car little extra character, but Toyota defends this by stating that the Corolla Cross is an everyman's friend and then a distinct character is undesirable.

Space

The Corolla Cross fits right in between Toyota's other SUVs in terms of size, making it a mid-size car. As the name implies, the Corolla Cross is a "crossover" and therefore higher than a regular passenger car and lower than an SUV. Entry is just a little easier than average and the overview of traffic just a little better than in a typical hatchback. The Corolla Cross does not have the mighty feel of an SUV, but rather the familiarity of a Corolla hatchback. Space in the front is fine, that in the rear scores a meagre adequate.

For the 2025 model year, the centre tunnel has been modified and this seems like trivial news. In practice, however, it is a real improvement. For example, the armrest is now usable by drivers of varying stature, whereas previously it could only be used by tall drivers. The layout is more ergonomic. with an easy-to-find USB connector and a compartment with induction charger where phones are less likely to fall out.

Equipment

The Corolla (Cross) is aimed at retained buyers, which is why it is not a computer on wheels. The controls are a successful mix of traditional buttons and modern displays. However, the central display is a bit on the small side and Toyota has not taken this opportunity to set this up more generously. Especially when using Apple CarPlay, you notice that everything is close together (hint: Toyota's menu bar remains, but can be pushed away with a button in that same bar).

Another missed opportunity: the safety features have not been improved. Because that is in Japanese culture, they are extremely strictly tuned and there is no leeway whatsoever. That attitude leads to perfection in many cases, but in the case of the Corolla Cross's safety features, it leads to despair and mental breakdown in the driver. The latter is harshly reprimanded for the slightest carelessness and often it is not even clear why warnings sound. Switching off is possible, but the procedure is cumbersome and complex as the driver has to work his way through a series of unclear abbreviations.

In the other functions, the Japanese pursuit of perfection is actually noticeable. The controls have become more and more refined, simplified and/or effective over the years. The ergonomics are well thought out, making new drivers quickly feel at home in the Corolla Cross and daily journeys more enjoyable.

Hybrid

That continuous improvement and striving for improvement is also reflected in the powertrain. Toyota may opt for a classic hybrid, but it does its job with more ease and refinement than some other hybrids. The Corolla Cross has a now classic setup where energy is recovered during braking and coasting. That energy is later used to assist the petrol engine or to drive short distances (up to 2 km) fully electric. To put it in technical terms, this is more than a mild hybrid, but less than a plug-in hybrid.

For the 2025 model year, the 200 hp engine has been replaced by one that delivers up to 180 hp. This will save an average of 5 grams of CO2 per kilometre, so the 180 hp and 140 hp powertrains now have almost the same emissions. For this test drive, the new 180 hp engine was tested and in practice it is as decisive as the previous one. Especially in sport mode, performance is fine and this crossover can put down fast intermediate accelerations. For smooth merging on the motorway or safe passing on a provincial road, this is of great value. Thereby, it is simply nice to drive a car that always has some reserve on standby.

As compared to a standard petrol engine, hybrid drive provides more peace of mind, more agility and lower fuel consumption. The savings are less on the motorway and, on the contrary, big when used in town. There, the electric motor can often assist while the consumption of a conventional combustion engine rises sharply in town. The test drive with both city and highway mileage resulted in an average consumption of 4.3 litres per 100 km. That is a decent value for a car of this size delivering this performance.

Driving behaviour

Because many of the Corolla Cross' competitors are electric cars, Toyota provides the updated model with extra sound insulation. However, this concerns only the wall between the engine compartment and the cabin. The petrol engine was rarely, if ever, heard during the test drive. However, the sounds of the tyres are all the more noticeable. On balance, though, the Corolla Cross is a quiet car that offers more than enough comfort for travelling long distances.

Because the Corolla Cross is a crossover, its bodywork and centre of gravity are lower than that of an SUV. Moreover, this is not an off-road vehicle and so Toyota could tune the handling entirely for use on public roads. This is noticeable, as the handling is almost as good as that of a regular Corolla. In the process, the electronics make driving easy. It ensures that the car reacts in the same, familiar way in a variety of situations.

Conclusion

The Toyota Corolla Cross is four years old, so it is time for a rejuvenation cure to stay competitive. After all, a lot has changed in four years. The electric car is now more affordable than the (plug-in) hybrid and the Chinese have conquered the market.

Toyota is focusing on the global market, however, and the popularity of electric cars concerns mainly Western Europe. World wide, hybrid drive is still a smart solution that saves a lot of fuel without any effort from the driver while improving comfort. Thereby, not all drivers are keen on the latest technology and prefer the familiar. That is why Toyota continues to perfect the hybrid engine, and that is reflected in this Corolla Cross.

The Chinese competition invariably opts for a futuristic look, introducing vehicles that look more like a UFO than a car. Toyota goes along with the SUV trend, but instead wants to offer a normal, familiar car with the Corolla Cross. That explains why the Corolla Cross is currently the best-selling Toyota and, thanks to this facelift, is likely to remain so in the coming years.