What’s this new car all about then?
The Corolla Cross is technically part of Toyota New Zealand’s compact-SUV lineup, but it probably should also be on your shopping list if you’re buying a family SUV. At 4460mm in length, it’s in between the Yaris Cross and C-HR in size… but actually bigger than the second-generation RAV4 5-door from the early-2000s. And much more passenger-focused than the straight-out-wacky C-HR, thanks to its boxy shape and larger glass areas.
But that boxy shape and the somewhat conservative styling of the original Corolla Cross from 2022 didn't necessarily draw the eye.
The facelifted version has glammed up a bit. No changes to the basic body shape, but there’s a new front bumper and honeycomb grille that’s now finished in body colour. And those colours have been classed-up a bit with new hues like Massive Grey (actually a snazzy blue-ish shade) and Ash; note the Cross also featured here in GR-alike Emotional Red. That's a bold decision for a number of reasons.
As before, there are GX, GXL and Limited versions. But now there are four, with the addition of a Corolla Cross GR Sport for the first time.
No, it’s not a “real” GR like the Yaris or Corolla hatches; this is from Gazoo Racing’s middle tier, where mainstream models are endowed with a few extra goodies, both cosmetic and dynamic.
Now there are four, with the addition of a Corolla Cross GR Sport for the first time.
It’s worth noting that the GR Sport is the only Corolla Cross with all-wheel drive and multi-link rear suspension; that’s a worthy point of difference for the sporty version, but the opportunity cost is the loss of those features from the Limited, which has now moved back to a front-drive format with the rest of the mainstream lineup.
Same 2.0-litre hybrid engine across the range, though: 146kW (combined) and 188Nm (engine only), with the lithium-ion battery stowed under the rear seat. Fuel economy ranges from 4.1l/100km (FWD models) to 4.6l/100km (GR Sport). You’ll do that easily… possibly better. We had the GX in the 3l-bracket during city commuting.
Every new Toyota seems to bring incremental improvements in hybrid technology, so the Corolla Cross is astonishingly well-sorted.
It's impressively spacious in the back, making it a real rival for some medium-SUVs: generous legroom and excellent visibility. However, be aware the the GR Sport AWD model loses a bit of luggage space, down from 417 to 384 litres.
How much is it?
The GX opens at $44,990, followed by the GXL at $47,990 and then a larger jump up to the Limited at $51,990. You can also add a black roof to the Limited for another $1000; a curious addition we reckon, as the Limited already has a panoramic glass roof, so you’re really just paying for a sliver of black along the cant rail and at the back of the roof.
The GR Sport is $54,990, and same deal: another $1000 for a tiny stripe of black.
Cross should be on your shopping list if you’re buying a family SUV. It’s actually bigger than the second-generation RAV4 5-door from the early-2000s
The GX is very much a price-leader (we won't use the r-word at this point), but it doesn’t skimp on safety or comfort: it has the full Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) package, including adaptive cruise with lane tracing, reversing camera with four sensors front and rear, parking brake support, keyless entry, wireless phone projection and dual-zone climate control. If you rented this you'd be pretty pleased. Oops.
All models now have Vehicle Approach Notice, an EV-like pedestrian warning sound for when the vehicle is running on silent electric power at low speed.
The GXL adds a wireless phone charger, front seat heaters, 360-degree cameras and automatic wipers. The infotainment moves up from the 8-inch screen of the GX to a 10.5in unit.
The Limited features fabric/leather upholstery with front seat ventilation, a full 12.3-inch virtual instrument panel, power tailgate with kick sensor - and full self-parking, which is pretty clever, requiring minimal imput from the driver.
There’s a fair bit of extra garnish for the GR Sport, too: 19-inch black/machined wheels, red brake calipers, unique bumper designs (it does away with the honeycomb grille), black exterior detailing, suede/leather upholstery and “gun metal” interior trim. The pedals and paddle shifter are aluminium.
What’s it like to drive?
We grabbed a brace of Corolla Cross models for our drive experience: the entry GX and dressed-up Limited, representing the bookends of the mainstream FWD range. A GR Sport is on the way; we’ll report on that in due course.
The front-drivers are smooth as ever. Not a huge difference in the on-road experience between GX and Limited, save a step up in wheel size and a step down in profile: 17in rims on the GX versus 18in on the Limited (and GXL). But even the Limited has quite a plush ride.
Every new Toyota seems to bring incremental improvements in hybrid technology, so the Corolla Cross is astonishingly well-sorted. It can drive on battery alone for a surprisingly long time in HEV terms (1-2km), thanks to its ability to regen so quickly. It also "sails" in EV mode during motorway driving.
You can force it into electric-only operation with a pushbutton, but it's not really worth doing. It cancels that mode every time there's a slight increase in throttle, especially in adaptive cruise; you actually get more EV driving by letting the powertrain just do its own thing.
It’s not a car where you hammer the throttle every time you want to make a green light or overtake: the continuously variable transmission flares up under duress, although the cabin is well-isolated from engine noise.
The FWD models are not supposed to be exciting in corners, but they are polished and composed all the same. The car resists understeer well and handles mid-corner bumps with aplomb; no surprises and no fuss when hustling along from A to B.
What’s the pick of the range?
Would it be annoying to say it's the model we’re not featuring here?
The entry GX is certainly not short of standard-equipment; it’s particularly well-specified in terms of driver assists. We can see the appeal as a fleet or rental car, but it does look and feel just a bit sparse. Is a bare plastic steering wheel really okay in 2025?
The Limited, on the other hand, has a substantially plusher-feeling interior thanks to some clever detail touches, like the gloss-black console surround with an LED border. But it’s also lost its dynamic advantage in the lineup with the move back to front-drive. It also crosses over the $50k mark, so it's just as expensive as it used to be, despite being a bit less accomplished on-road.
The one that might be just right is the GXL, which sits in the middle of the FWD range: at $47,990 it’s $3k more than the GX but $4k less than the Limited.
Compared to the GX, the GXL gets those extras like the surround-camera, phone charger, seat-heating and automatic wipers. Most of the important stuff in other words, although you still need to step up to the Limited for a power tailgate.
We’re looking forward to having a go in the GR Sport, though. Along with the AWD/multi-link rear suspension, the suspension is lowered 10mm.
What other cars should I consider?
Practical, super-thrifty full-hybrid SUVs in the $40-$50k bracket are what we’re talking about. If you want much less practicality but a whole lot more style, take a look at the Toyota C-HR, although it pretty much starts where the Cross leaves off ($46,990-$58,990).
The larger RAV4 isn’t entirely out of the frame, either ($48,790-$60,990).
Japanese rivals include the Honda HR-V ($45,800) and Subaru Crosstrek hybrid ($46,990-$51,990), or there's Korea’s Kia Niro HEV ($39,990-$60,490). If Euro flair is your thing, how about the Peugeot 2008 GT ($49,990)?
But there’s also a new generation of budget-priced Chinese SUVs that sit at a similar price point to the Corolla Cross, but are a whole size up; some even offer plug-in tech.
Consider the Chery Tiggo 7 ($42,990-$46,990), Geely Starray ($45,990-$49,490), GWM Haval H6 ($42,990-$50,990), Jaecoo J7 SHS ($49,990) or MG HS ($44,990-$56,990). The Chery, Geely and Jaecoo are all PHEV “super hybrids”, the Haval and MG you can have as both HEVs and PHEVs.
But to be fair, price aside they’re a whole other thing: they might be too big, too complicated and not enough… Toyota for potential Corolla Cross customers.
