Never one to pass up an opportunity, Toyota has added yet another crossover to its portfolio. Cashing in on one of the most respected names in the industry, it has created the Corolla Cross.
The Corolla Cross is all Corolla – taller, with more room inside, and available with all-wheel-drive. It goes without saying it will also be of the highest quality, reliable, and offer terrific retained value. It will also sell like the proverbial hot cakes.
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross (Photo: Garry Sowerby)
After all, what’s not to like about a tall Corolla with a hatchback, and a price tag below $25,000?
You read that correctly – less than $25K.
The Corolla Cross is available in L, LE and XLE trim levels. The tester was a base L front-driver with a sticker of $24,890. There were no options, but a reasonable level of standard equipment makes that price even more attractive.
This was no bare bones tripper. In addition to the now-mandatory rear view camera, standard equipment included power windows, air conditioning, LED headlights, tilt & telescope steering wheel, remote keyless entry, six-way adjustable driver seat, heated front seats and exterior mirrors, six-speaker audio system with 18-cm touchscreen, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and USB inputs.
They didn’t skimp on safety features either: full-range dynamic cruise control, pre collision system with pedestrian and bicycle detection, automatic headlights, lane departure warning with steering assist and road edge detection.
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross (Photo: Lisa Calvi)
The Toyota Corolla Cross adds up to one heck of a bargain in today’s market.
I would add AWD for the added year-round, any-weather security. With AWD, the tag raises to $26,290. The extra $1,400 includes not only the AWD system, but a more sophisticated double wishbone rear suspension, necessary to provide room for the drive to the rear wheels. The AWD system also adds about 80 kilos in extra weight.
The Corolla Cross is no sports car, nor is it a limousine. Yet the ride and handling are far better than you’d expect at this price point.
The independent rear suspension of the AWD version is probably even better on less-than-perfect surfaces – pretty much all roads in the region.
Performance isn’t shabby either. It’s no road rocket, but will get up and out of the way easily.
There is the expected moan from the 2.0-litre four under sustained full throttle acceleration as the continuously variable transmission (CVT) keeps the engine revving in its most efficient range.
When not being asked to find its limits, the engine is smooth, quiet and efficient. Similarly when at less than maximum mode, the CVT pretends it has seven gears and goes about its duty invisibly.
Got a crush on Corolla? You’ll feel right at home in the Corolla Cross
The front seats are comfy and supportive over long session. Rear seat space is cramped for adults but there is a very useful 750 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat. That open cargo area, like all wagons and crossovers, allows in a bit more road noise than cars with their rear buttress separating the people and cargo spaces.
Anyone familiar with the current Corolla will feel right at home in the Cross. The instrument panel, materials, and layout are identical to the best-seller. The Cross does however offer more rear seat and cargo space.
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross (Photo: Lisa Calvi)
There are many reasons the Toyota Corolla is the all-time best-selling vehicle in the world. The Corolla Cross will add significantly to the 1.6 million sold in Canada and the 50 million sold globally. As I said at the outset, what’s not to like about a tall Corolla hatchback, with a price tag below $25,000?
FACTS & FIGURES – 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross L FWD
PRICE
Base: $24,890
As tested: $26,881 including freight
SAFETY
Lane departure alert with steering assist and road edge detection, automatic high beams, radar-based cruise control, lane tracing assist, LED headlights, automatic high beams, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
INFOTAINMENT
18-cm display, six-speaker audio system with Android Auto and Apple Car Play compatibility
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Power windows, tilt & telescope steering wheel, air conditioning, six-way adjustable driver seat, automatic climate control, heated front seats and exterior mirrors, wireless charging
SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS
none
MECHANICAL
2.0-litre four-cylinder, 169 horsepower, 151 lb.-ft. of torque, regular fuel. Continuously variable automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive. NRCan rating (litres/100km city/highway): 7.6 / 7.0
DIMENSIONS
Length, 4,474; mm; width, 1,82 mm; wheelbase, 2,639 mm; weight, 1,405 kg.
COMPETITION
Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Kia Soul, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, VW Golf
Click here for Wheel Woman, Lisa Calvi’s take on the Corolla Cross.
Lead photo by Garry Sowerby.
