Absent from the compact crossover class for some time, Toyota finally enters the fray with their new 2022 Corolla Cross. Now those looking at vehicles like the Honda HR-V, Nissan Rogue Sport, Mazda CX-30 and more will have an offering from Toyota in which to compare.
Based on the Toyota Corolla Sedan, the all-new 2022 Corolla Cross will be the new entry point for the crossover line from Toyota. Styling is crisply in line with that of the Toyota RAV4 and other models from the brand with its family design DNA well in tact.
To be offered in the familiar grade lines of L, LE, and XLE, the Corolla Cross fits the bill of a crossover with lots of black lower cladding to protect against your adventures. LED headlights and LED tail lights will be standard across the board with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 18-inches.
Built on the TNGA-C platform, it’s about 5-inches shorter than a RAV4 overall and 3-inches shorter in wheelbase. Overall height is about 2-inches lower. You can see trim pieces separating its roof line from the body surfaces, allowing two-tone paint treatments we can more than likely expect.
The cabin is where we can see the Corolla Cross relation to the sedan, with an interior nearly identical. This includes the dash and a number of other core components whos design we have well liked in the Corolla sedan and hatch.
Material quality will therefore be consistently good, and available in a variety of trim and colors with the leather-like SofTex-trim at the top. Rear seats fold in a 60/40-split to give an generous cargo floor area. An available power lift-gate will make getting to it easy.
Available will be a fully digital instrument cluster on upper trims. Across the board, a variety of touchscreen infotainment systems will be available as expected with all of the contemporary feature content including Apple Car Play and Android Auto functionality.
The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross will be available in both FWD and AWD. The sole power-plant at launch will be the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine found in the top trim grades of the sedan with 169-horsepower.
With AWD up to 50% of power can be directed to the rear wheels on the fly, the vehicle operates in FWD most of the time to save fuel. Toyota estimates 32 mpg combined for the FWD and 30 mpg combined for the AWD model. As such, Corolla Cross will have a 1500 pound towing capacity.
Its Direct Shift CVT is an upgraded unit with a physical first gear that gives a more traditional driving feel than most CVTs because it provides a real step shift off the start and a more direct sense of motion. Simulated shifts can further enhance its feel up the rev range.
While pricing has not yet been announced, expect the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross to slot comfortably below the $26,250 base price of the RAV4 and closer to the CH-R in the low $20,000s. Expect pricing to be announced closer to the Corolla Cross on sale date late this year.
