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Toyota recently announced the Corolla Cross will be coming to American shores this fall. Here’s all the info on Toyota’s latest crossover.
Covering All the Bases
Last month, Toyota unveiled their 2022 Corolla Cross for the North American market. The smallish crossover slots between Toyota’s subcompact C-HR and their best-selling compact RAV4. It would appear that Toyota, like the rest of the world’s automakers, has yet to discover the optimal number of crossovers for their lineup. Though that number would appear to be at least one higher than last year’s count.
This isn’t to say there isn’t a good case for the Corolla Cross. Not only is it slightly larger than the C-HR, but it’s also not nearly as aggressive in its styling. Instead, the new Corolla Cross looks every bit the Highlander’s little brother and is much the better for the resemblance. The Corolla Cross looks well positioned to appeal to buyers who might otherwise gravitate toward the Corolla proper but want the extra “confidence” that comes with a higher seating position and all-wheel drive.
Toyota Corolla Cross Specs
That’s right, the Toyota Corolla Cross will offer available all-wheel drive, a rarity on most comparably sized crossovers. (Which raises the question, what do we call this midpoint between subcompact and compact? Semi-compact? Pseudo-compact?) In addition to the optional AWD, the Corolla Cross will be borrowing the Corolla’s base 2.0L four-cylinder engine, which, in this new crossover will produce 169 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque. A CVT, complete with a real first gear, will be the sole transmission.
Fuel economy will be respectable at 32 mpg combined for the front-wheel drive version and 30 mpg combined for the AWD version. The Corolla Cross will weigh in at approximately 3,300 lbs., right around the same as the smaller C-HR.
Interior & Features
Not only does the Corolla Cross borrow its name and engine from the Corolla proper, but it also borrows the latter’s interior design. Aside from the higher seating position, you’d be hard pressed to actually tell the two cabins apart. And like its exterior’s similarity to the Highlander, the interior’s unoriginality is a strength rather than a liability for the Corolla Cross. This should help Toyota save on manufacturing costs, allowing them to lower the price point.
The dash layout is clean and simple and will feature a 7- or 8-inch touchscreen and, in the higher trim levels, a matching 7-inch digital gauge display. Other options and features will include a sunroof, JBL stereo, dual-zone climate control, a power rear hatch, wireless charging, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Toyota Corolla Cross will come in three trim levels: L, LE, and XLE.
Toyota Corolla Cross Release Info
Though Toyota has yet to set an official date, they do expect to have the Corolla Cross hitting dealerships sometime this fall. Initial MSRP also hasn’t been announced, but we expect the Corolla Cross to slot in at between $23,000 and $30,000, depending on trim level and options.
