If you needed any more proof that demand
for SUVs and crossovers shows no signs of abating, this is it. Say hello to the
Toyota Corolla Cross, a crossover variant of the Japanese marque’s most famous
hatchback and arriving just a few months after the Toyota Yaris Cross.
The Toyota Corolla Cross has so far only
been unveiled in Thailand and uses the Toyota New Global Architecture C
(TGNA-C). It will be sold in both hybrid and petrol forms and is 4,460 mm long, 1,825 mm wide, and 1,620 mm inches
tall, complete with a 2,640 mm wheelbase.
Entry-level models sold in Thailand come
outfitted with a 1.8-liter petrol engine producing 140 hp and 175
Nm of torque. This engine drives the front wheels through a CVT. Toyota being
Toyota, a hybrid is also on offer, and combines a 1.8-liter that produces 98 hp
and 142 Nm with an electric motor delivering an extra 72 hp and 163 Nm of torque. Paired with this hybrid setup is an electric CVT.
Elsewhere, the Corolla Cross comes with
MacPherson strut front suspension, torsion-beam rear suspension, disc brakes at
all four corners, and is available with 17- and 18-inch wheels wrapped in
215/60 and 225/50 rubber respectively.
From a visual standpoint, the crossover
looks nothing like the Corolla hatchback and instead looks more like a baby
RAV4. Found up front is a pronounced black grille as well as sharp headlights
and LED daytime running lights. The crossover also includes black bumpers, side
skirts, and wheel arches while sporting a pair of black roof rails.
Whereas the exterior look is unique, the
interior is very familiar with the Corolla hatchback. There is a large
touchscreen jutting out of the dashboard, a digital gauge cluster, and the same
air vents as the hatch. Sales of the new Corolla Cross will kick off this month
in Thailand. It will land in other markets in the not too distant future as
well, though Toyota hasn’t provided any specific details yet.
