The Toyota Corolla Cross could not look tremendous thrilling on first look, nevertheless it’s one of the anticipated new automobiles to launch in 2022.
Each time we printed an article about it on CarExpert it might shortly change into the top-ranking article of the week, and we’ve obtained numerous reader questions on it.
We’ve now covered the launch and the top-spec Atmos AWD Hybrid, so we’re looking on the absolute entry degree – meet the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD, in no-cost Glacier White no much less.
At $33,000 earlier than on-roads, that is the Corolla Cross in its most inexpensive type, and a great way to check Toyota’s anticipated new crossover with out all of the distracting bells and whistles from larger up within the vary.
May the bottom mannequin be the candy spot? Let’s discover out!
How a lot does the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD value?
On take a look at now we have absolutely the least expensive Corolla Cross variant you should purchase in Australia – priced from $33,000 earlier than on-road prices.
Drive-away, you’re taking a look at about $37,320 for this variant utilizing a Melbourne postcode with commonplace paint.
The bottom GX can also be out there with a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain for an extra $2500, making it essentially the most inexpensive hybrid within the phase – although rivals on this house are few and much between.
It’s additionally fairly aggressive with entry-level choices within the phase – see beneath for extra.
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross pricing:
- Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD Petrol: $33,000
- Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD Hybrid: $35,500
- Toyota Corolla Cross GXL 2WD Petrol: $36,750
- Toyota Corolla Cross GXL 2WD Hybrid: $39,250
- Toyota Corolla Cross GXL AWD Hybrid: $42,250
- Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos 2WD Petrol: $43,550
- Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos 2WD Hybrid: $46,050
- Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos AWD Hybrid: $49,050
Key rivals embrace:
Costs exclude on-road prices except specified
What’s the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD like on the within?
The fleet-spec vibe of the demure exterior continues within the cabin, with a polyurethane steering wheel and laborious door trims. In equity, there’s numerous entry-level SUVs that undress the cabin a bit on the base grade.
Whereas the drab gray color scheme and extra utilitarian supplies don’t give off an expensive vibe, the hard-wearing fabric, clear design and clear digital shows make the Corolla Cross’s cabin very practical, giving off a sense of sturdiness.
The entrance seats are snug and provide first rate bolstering to help you in the best locations, and there’s good adjustment in each the motive force’s seat and steering wheel in order that even leggy folks like myself can get cozy.
Whereas the steering wheel lacks a leather-based or leather-look end, I’m a giant fan of its compact rim and well-placed switchgear. It simply sits tremendous comfortably within the hand – offered you haven’t left it out within the solar for too lengthy.
Forward of the motive force is identical 7.0-inch supervision show you’ll discover within the higher-up GXL, and it’s suspiciously comparable in dimension and design to the unit utilized in costlier automobiles just like the Lexus NX.
Sitting atop the dashboard is an 8.0-inch touchscreen shared with different fashions within the Toyota line-up, providing wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, however with out manufacturing facility satellite tv for pc navigation.
It does provide Toyota Related Companies, which incorporates a 12-month subscription to an array of net-based providers corresponding to distant features through your smartphone and an clever voice assistant activated by saying “Hey Toyota”. Being the bottom mannequin with no native navigation, the linked nav function isn’t out there right here.
The thick bezels might not be tremendous enticing, however the newest technology of Toyota’s infotainment is a large step ahead in feel and appear in comparison with even the latest iteration, and in apply it’s a a lot snappier and fluid expertise as ever.
Wi-fi Apple CarPlay labored fairly flawlessly throughout our time with the Corolla Cross and is a cinch to arrange, whereas audio high quality from the usual six-speaker audio system is ok given the value level.
Under the tablet-style show are bodily local weather controls nicked straight from the Corolla Hatch and Sedan, that are clearly labelled, straightforward to make use of and properly designed. The GX will get single-zone local weather, whereas GXL and Atmos fashions function dual-zone performance – all fashions rating rear air vents, nevertheless.
Storage up entrance can also be good, because of a deep cubby below the centre stack – although no wi-fi telephone charger on this grade – cupholders between the entrance seats, a small-ish centre bin and door pockets that may accommodate the typical bottle and different small gadgets.
Like we assessed on the launch, the Corolla Cross’s rear seat is extra accommodating than some smaller crossovers, nevertheless it’s not fairly the scale of one thing like a RAV4.
I’m 6’1 and may match behind my most well-liked driving place nice, though it’s a bit comfortable when it comes to knee room. Head and toe room in any other case are good for the category.
Two adults will likely be nice again there, and the Corolla Cross’s large rear home windows imply it’s a a lot better kiddy service than the associated C-HR. You additionally get rear air vents, a map pocket behind the entrance passenger seat, in addition to bottle holders within the door.
Talking of the youngsters, there are ISOFIX anchors on the outboard positions, in addition to top-tether factors throughout all three rear seats.
The boot capability of the Corolla Cross largely will depend on the variant you select, however the GX and GXL 2WD petrol variations provide essentially the most house at 436 litres in five-seat configuration.
You’ll discover a non permanent space-saver spare wheel below the boot ground, which is best than AWD Hybrid fashions with their restore kits, however rivals just like the Kia Seltos provide full-size spares throughout the majority of the vary.
The house itself is sweet and sq., however when the rear seats are folded there’s no adjustable load ground and due to this fact there’s an enormous hump between the low-slung boot ground and the backs of the rear seats. Having performed an IKEA run with a buddy to get a 2.0m-long cupboard, this was a little bit of a ache.
What’s below the bonnet?
Petrol variations of the Corolla Cross run a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine creating 126kW at 6600rpm, and 202Nm between 4400 and 4900rpm. It’s the identical motor because the Corolla Hatch and Sedan.
Drive is shipped completely to the entrance wheels through a constantly variable transmission (CVT) which options 10 digital ‘speeds’ in its Handbook mode, in addition to a launch gear.
Mixed gas consumption is quoted at 6.0L/100km, whereas CO2 emissions are rated at 136g/km. In contrast to another automobiles within the Toyota line-up, the petrol engine doesn’t function idle cease/begin know-how.
All variations of the Corolla Cross run on common 91 RON unleaded, with gas tank capability depending on the drivetrain. 2WD petrol variations get a 47-litre gas tank, whereas 2WD Hybrid and AWD Hybrid provide 36L and 43L tanks respectively.
Toyota quotes a 0-100 time of 9.0-9.2 seconds for the petrols. Prime pace is rated at 198km/h. All variations of the Corolla Cross are rated to tow as much as 750kg (braked).
How does the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD drive?
Consistent with its entry-level positioning, the bottom Corolla Cross petrol is first rate throughout all metrics.
The atmo 2.0-litre 4 fires up with a tinny rumble, and as we’ve skilled in different Toyota fashions with this petrol-CVT drivetrain, it will get together with traditional duties simply nice.
It’s a primary, economy-class drivetrain that’s finest utilized in a extra sedate, relaxed method. Demand extra of it and it will possibly get fairly coarse and noisy below load, although it at the least interprets to cheap progress.
The petrol mannequin’s CVT has 10 simulated ‘steps’ and a bodily launch gear, so it does a great job at mimicking a standard computerized below acceleration whereas additionally dropping revs at a cruise to enhance economic system.
Round city the petrol Corolla Cross will get up to the mark with out a lot fuss, and the comfortable experience and large tyre sidewalls do a great job of ironing out the lumps and bumps of inner-city Melbourne.
It additionally handles in typical Toyota style – it’s a candy steer. The fluid steering and responsive entrance finish make the Corolla Cross very straightforward to navigate any setting in, and there’s a degree of expertise within the chassis that encourages some driver engagement.
These environments demand much less from the naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which means the final atmosphere is clean and refined. Nonetheless, it’s not as responsive nor as environment friendly because the $2500 dearer hybrid model.
In contrast to the bigger RAV4 with successfully the identical engine, the Corolla Cross lacks gas saving idle cease/begin know-how – which meant our traffic-heavy week of day by day commuting noticed the gas consumption blow out a bit larger than we skilled on the media launch in Sydney.
I’ll additionally word the CVT transmission’s bodily launch gear additionally negates the elastic, slingshot sensation that many transmissions of this kind exhibit off the road.
When you hit the freeway the Corolla Cross once more will get the job performed with out making a lot of a music and dance – except you actually push it, which once more results in a shouty engine word.
Being naturally aspirated, peak torque doesn’t come on faucet till fairly excessive within the rev vary – 4400rpm – so for those who’re in a rush or must overtake, you’ll want the CVT to flare revs to get the perfect out of it. As famous earlier, it’s not essentially the most refined energy unit when being pushed on this method.
As soon as at a cruise, nevertheless, the engine settles into a reasonably silent hum, with the CVT capable of drop revs to about 1500-1600rpm at round 100km/h. Not dangerous.
Wind and highway noise ranges are good for the category, in a phase the place freeway refinement typically takes a figurative again seat. It’s additionally a notable enchancment on the usual Corolla passenger fashions.
Toyota additionally must be recommended for together with an expansive suite of driver help methods and LED highlights from the bottom trim degree – we’re taking a look at you, Kia.
All variations of the Corolla Cross function adaptive cruise management with cease/go that mixes with Lane Hint Help to facilitate semi-autonomous freeway driving functionality, and in apply it’s a reasonably correct co-pilot not like Toyota methods previous.
There’s additionally useful inclusions like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert – although the plentiful glasshouse means outward visibility is kind of good – and there’s even lane change help that lightly steers in the direction of the adjoining lane when indicating; a function usually supplied by Mercedes-Benz fashions.
Rounding out the headline commonplace inclusions is a reversing digicam with adaptive pointers. It gives first rate decision for the spend – not like the very common encompass cameras on up-spec variations – although there are not any supplementary parking sensors on the bottom mannequin.
What do you get?
Corolla Cross GX highlights:
- LED headlights
- Halogen daytime operating lights
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Area-saver spare wheel
- Energy folding, heated aspect mirrors
- Embossed cloth seats
- Handbook entrance seat adjustment
- Rear seats with tilt operate
- Urethane steering wheel
- Electrical park brake
- 2 x entrance, 2 x rear cupholders
- Retractable baggage cowl
- 60:40-split rear seats
- Computerized local weather management
- 7.0-inch driver’s instrument show
- Sensible entry and begin
- 12V energy socket, entrance
- USB-C port in centre console
- Energy home windows
- Door pockets with bottle holders
- 8.0-inch touchscreen
- 6-speaker audio
- AM/FM/DAB+ radio
- Bluetooth
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
- Wired Android Auto
- Toyota Related Companies (12mth subscription)
Colors
- Glacier White
- Frosted White*
- Gorgeous Silver*
- Eclipse Black*
- Atomic Rush*
- Lunar Blue*
- Moondust Gray*
- Jungle Khaki
*Premium paint prices $575
Is the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD secure?
Since its launch earlier this yr, the Toyota Corolla Cross has earned a five-star ANCAP security ranking.
Relevant to all variants, the Corolla Cross managed 85 per cent for grownup occupant safety, 88 per cent for baby occupant safety, 87 per cent for susceptible highway person safety, and 83 per cent for security help.
ANCAP praised the Corolla Cross for reaching the perfect susceptible highway person rating towards the 2020-22 standards but, although solely Marginal safety of the motive force’s chest was recorded within the frontal offset take a look at, with a penalty utilized.
Customary security options embrace:
- Toyota Security Sense
- Blind-spot monitoring incl. secure exit help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reversing digicam
- Eight airbags incl. front-centre airbag
GXL provides:
- Parking help brake incl. car, object detection
- ‘Easy’ panoramic view monitor (360 cameras)
Atmos Hybrid provides:
- Enhanced panoramic view monitor (360 cameras with see-through view)
- Superior Park Help
- Parking help brake incl. pedestrian detection
How a lot does the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD value to run?
The Corolla Cross is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee which extends to seven years on powertrain elements if the automotive is serviced utilizing Toyota’s capped-price service program.
Upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – whichever comes first. Toyota gives inexpensive capped-price servicing for the Corolla Cross, with the primary 5 providers capped at $230 every.
As for real-world gas consumption, we noticed an indicated 8.1L per 100km throughout our week with the Corolla Cross, which is a bit up on Toyota’s 6.0L/100km declare and greater than the 7.4L/100km city determine. For reference, the Corolla Cross 2WD Hybrid claims to make use of almost half of our real-world determine (4.3L/100km) and fares higher on the town.
It’s price noting the Corolla Cross spent the bulk time in heavy visitors, however the lack of cease/begin meant it spent loads of time idling at a standstill.
Petrol fashions do get the biggest gas tank at 47 litres, and run on 91 RON, so there’s that. However nonetheless, it may very well be higher – another excuse why we’d advocate stretching to the hybrid.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD
Decrease trim ranges are sometimes forgotten in in the present day’s market, such is the Australian non-public purchaser’s choice for top-spec fashions.
Sure the Corolla Cross GX will attraction extra to fleets than the typical non-public buyer, however for those who’re in search of a secure, smart, no-frills compact SUV that covers all bases after which some, the bottom Corolla Cross may very well be a great wager.
It’s low cost to purchase and repair, and is kitted out with extra security and help equipment than simply about any rival at this value level. In typical Toyota style, it’s a car you should purchase with peace of thoughts although it received’t ignite the senses.
With that mentioned, our suggestion can be to get the GX Hybrid, which is price each cent of its $2500 premium because of the numerous effectivity and refinement beneficial properties that include its 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain.
MORE: Everything Toyota Corolla Cross
Execs
- Bang for buck
- Expansive security tech suite
- Good house for the category
Cons
- Seems and appears like a fleet particular
- 2.0L petrol will get noisy below load
- City gas consumption may very well be higher
Prime Line Specs
- Energy: 126kW
- Gasoline Kind: Unleaded Petrol
- Economic system: 6L/100km
- CO2 Emissions: 136g/km
- ANCAP Security Score: 5
