Slotting into the Toyota crossover lineup between the subcompact CR-R and Compact RAV4, the new Corolla Cross gives buyers a more convention and, importantly, more affordable subcompact crossover offering. As the name implies, Corolla Cross shares engine and underpinning platform with the Toyota Corolla sedan. Like most subcompact crossovers, Corolla Cross is offered only as a 5-passenger, 4-door wagon with front- or all-wheel drive. Competitors include the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Hyundai Kona, Kia Niro, Mazda CX-30, Nissan Kicks and Volkswagen Taos.
Corolla Cross comes in L, LE and XLE trim. All get a 168-horsepower 4-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard and all-wheel drive is optional.
Pries start at $23,000 and climb to $28,000. Standard safety features include forward-collision warning with brake intervention, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and automatic high-beam headlights. Other standard features include LED headlights, Keyless entry, infotainment system with support for Android Auto and Apple Car Play and heated mirrors. Also offered are push-button start, dual-zone climate control, power liftgate, sunroof and 9-speaker JBL sound system.
Corolla Cross isn't the most energizing vehicle from behind the wheel. The milquetoast 4-cylinder provides modest acceleration and middling passing punch. The situation is exacerbated by a sloppy continuously variable automatic transmission that favors economy over performance. Things get worse with a full passenger load. Going from 0 to 60 MPH takes almost 10 seconds - which might make Corolla Cross the slowest competitor in the class.
Still, buyers in this segment are looking for efficiency and reliability and that's where this powertrain shines. Front-drive Corolla Cross models net an EPA combined rating of 32 MPG and all-wheel-drive models get an even 30 MPG rating. Both numbers are above the class average. Add to that frugality the fact that Corolla Cross runs fine on regular-grade fuel and you have a class leader for sure. In routine suburban commuting it is easy to average close to 35 MPG overall, perhaps even closer to 40 MPG if you throw in a little gentle highway cruising.
With a light-duty all-wheel drive system, no low range and minimal ground clearance, Corolla Cross is not much of an off-roader. However, the system should be adept at coping with Chicago's blustery winters.
Dynamically, Corolla Cross favors ride comfort over agility. The steering lacks feel and is a tad over boosted, but it does track straight and true on the highway. Brakes have adequate stopping power and no more. The flaccid suspension does a good job of filtering out road imperfections and minimizing secondary oscillations. However, there's too much body lean in turns and only minimal dry-road grip from the tires.
Still, the small size and good maneuverability make Corolla Cross an exceptional urban vehicle. It's easy to drive in cut-and-thrust traffic and has a reasonable turning radius.
Higher interior noise levels are somewhat of a disappointment. The engine drones on in hard acceleration and there's just too much wind noise at highway speed. Around-town cruising is fairly quiet at least.
With an airy interior and modern design Corolla Cross is a pleasant place for a drive. Materials are obviously built to a price point, but sturdy and pleasing to the eye. The layout is very traditional with traditional analog dials facing the driver and a fairly large 8-inch touchscreen dominating the center stack. There are additional controls for the climate and audio system as well. Overall the cabin seems a cut above some others in the class.
The front seats are roomy and comfortable. With lots of support for longer drives. Outward visibility is good as well. Rear-seat passengers will want more leg room for sure, however. The seats are comfortable and broad enough for three abreast seating. Entry exit is a snap thanks to a slightly taller build and large door cutouts.
From a tech standpoint, Corolla Cross sports all of the latest features, albeit optional in some cases. The standard touch screen is 7-inches with the optional screen being 8-inchs. It's definitely worth the upgrade as the larger screen is more readable as well. The support for Apple Car Play and Android Auto is standard but a cable must be used.
With more than 25 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats, Corolla Cross provides ample cargo space. Flip the seats down and that number grows to almost 67 cubic feet. Both numbers impress for the class. Interior storage is modest with a few open and covered bins throughout.
Bottom Line - Corolla Cross is a vehicle that Toyota has needed for some time. RAV4 has grown up over the years and the edgy CH-R never caught on, leaving a gap in the lineup where vehicles like the Honda HR-V gobbled up sales. Corolla Cross isn't going to create much driving excitement, but it proves to be perfectly vanilla, providing good interior room, excellent cargo space, pleasing driving dynamics, great fuel economy and a reasonable base price. Throw in Toyota's reputation for reliability and you have a sure-fire sales champ on your hands.
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