2022 Toyota Corolla Cross Arrives in North America

This was bound to happen. Another popular nameplate gets the crossover treatment and in this case, it’s the Corolla. Meet the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross, the latest addition to the brand’s growing lineup of crossovers and SUVs. In terms of size, the Corolla Cross slots between the C-HR and RAV4. In fact, it looks like a baby version of the latter. The upright greenhouse promises more space and unlike the C-HR, the Corolla Cross is available in both FWD and AWD configurations. Three trims will be offered: L, LE, and XLE.

The only powertrain option on the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is a 169-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired to a CVT. If that sounds familiar, it’s because the same combo is used in both the Corolla hatchback and sedan. Toyota projects that the Corolla Cross will get an EPA-estimated 32 mpg combined in FWD guise or 30 mpg with AWD.

Unfortunately, there’s no word on whether the Corolla Cross will eventually gain a hybrid variant. In other global markets, the Corolla Cross is available with the Prius’ hybrid powertrain. That uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder coupled to two electric motors, a battery, and a planetary gear set for a combined output of 121 hp. Should Toyota eventually bring a hybrid version of the Corolla Cross to the U.S. market, it’ll likely be the newer 2.0-liter-based unit found in the Lexus UX 250h. That system makes 181 hp combined, which is significantly more than 1.8-liter-based unit found in the Prius, Corolla Hybrid, and global market Corolla Cross.

All three Corolla models are underpinned by Toyota’s TNGA-C platform. The interior is also nearly identical to the hatchback and sedan only this time you get more room in the Corolla Cross thanks to its upright greenhouse. The exterior styling, on the other hand, borrows a lot of cues from the three-row Highlander. From its boxy greenhouse to the angry grille and thin LED headlights, you get a lot of mini highlander vibes from the Corolla Cross. You also see a little RAV4 in the rear thanks to the shape of the taillights and the floating roof effect. You get generous amounts of black cladding, too, to denote the Corolla Cross’ ruggedness and crossover identity.

On the tech front, the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross gets a 7.0-inch instrument cluster display and an 8.0-inch main touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Wireless charging, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system are optional. The Toyota Safety  Sense driver assistance suite is standard on all 2022 Corolla Cross models, however, Toyota hasn’t said which version it’ll get. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on the LE and XLE grades. Front and rear parking assist with rear automatic emergency braking are standard only on the XLE.

Expect the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross to arrive later this year. It’ll be competing in the subcompact crossover segment against larger entries like the Subaru Crosstrek, Kia Seltos, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and Volkswagen Taos. Pricing should start in the low $20,000 range and could top out slightly under $35,000 tho keep it within range of its key competitors.

Source: Toyota