Price From $23,410- To $27,540
Source: global.toyota
by SUViews Editor | Jan 13, 2022
Overview
The 2022 Corolla Cross hits the US market to compete with the small SUV bestsellers such as Kia Seltos and Nissan Rogue Sport. Borrowing heavily from its hatchback variant and the Toyota RAV4, it carries its pug-dog style exterior pretty well.
The base price is quite affordable, with plenty of safety and tech features available as standard. But just like most other vehicles in the small crossover SUV segment, the best of features are not included in the standard package– you have to pay extra to avail them. This one is available in three trim levels– L, LE, and XLE, and we find the LE and XLE to be more capable of offering buyer satisfaction.
This Toyota Corolla Cross 2022 review attempts to throw light on the performance, engine, interior, infotainment, and safety features of the vehicle, so that you can decide whether it’s a good choice for you at all or not.
Performance, Engine, and Comfort
The brand new Corolla Cross 2022 is a small vehicle, armed with mighty SUV-like styling. It offers a comfortable ride, despite a lackluster engine and somewhat sluggish performance.
Engine & Performance
While the CVT is great, the engine of the Corolla Cross 2022 is desperately in need of some power. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds, which is quite slow for its class. Toyota has promised to come up with a hybrid powertrain in the year 2023, which may solve this issue.
Engine and gear
The 2022 Corolla Cross is powered by an Atkinson-cycle 2-liter four-cylinder engine, which generates 169 hp @ 6600 rpm and 150 lb-ft of torque @ 4400 rpm.
Suspension
The front suspension is a typical McPherson-strut, and the rear one is a multi-link. However, for front-drive variants, you will only get a torsion beam setup, which is not the best option out there. The overall suspension system is different from a regular Corolla to offer a ground clearance of 8.2 inches.
Handling & Ride
Thanks to its compact size, handling the vehicle is not a difficult task. You can take it out of a cramped parking spot with ease. Despite being styled in the manner of an SUV, the ride isn’t harsh or sporty– it’s rather comfortable.
Vibration
You won’t feel a lot of vibration in the passenger compartment, but some engine noise is inevitable.
Safety & Reliability
Automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control come as standard across all trims levels. Rear-cross traffic alert is available in all except the base trim.
Brakes
The 2022 Corolla Cross is equipped with automated emergency braking, anti-lock brakes, stability control, and traction control, for all trims.
Airbags
To protect the driver and the passengers in case of a crash, Corolla Cross 2022 gets overall airbag protection, including front-impact, side-impact, overhead, and knee airbags. When a collision occurs, the pretensioners are designed to keep the passengers safely on their seats by fastening the seat belt tighter.
Electronics
You get a 7 or 8-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Sirius XM satellite radio integrated as standard options. Even though it lacks a touch of modern high-tech features, it’s practical and easy to operate.
Lights
The black grille of Corolla Cross is adorned with LED lights on the front and at the back. Fog lamps come as standard on the XLE trim, while adaptive headlights are available as an optional add-on.
Fuel Economy
Toyota’s new launch is a great purchase for those looking for impressive fuel economy. While the engine lacks power, it compensates with a smooth ride for all passengers and considerably less fuel consumption.
Engine size
All models get a 2-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder inline engine, with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The acceleration feels slow, and the engine noise is noticeable when it’s at high rev.
Gas per mileage consumption
Corolla Cross offers an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 31 mpg and 33 mpg, for city and highway respectively, provided that it’s front-wheel drive. For all-wheel drive, the fuel economy gets reduced to 29 mpg/ 32 mpg city/highway.
Interior
There’s nothing remarkable here– what you will find is more or less similar to the previous Corolla four-doors. The most handsome styling elements are reserved for the upper trim, while the first two trims look more or less basic.
Driving seat
Just like any other SUV, the driving seat is elevated to have better command and view while driving. The top trim XLE comes with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Dashboard
As mentioned earlier, the dashboard of the new Corolla is very much similar to that of the Corolla sedan. The square-shaped infotainment display has shortcut buttons on the sides. You may opt for the extra features like rear-seat USB ports, wireless charging, or JBL stereo to make the most out of this existing system– these are available as add-ons.
Passenger seats and extras
With a seating capacity of 5, Corolla Cross 2022 is quite spacious than its hatchback cousin. The seats are covered in adequately tasteful cloth upholstery, which gets upgraded to an even more beautiful synthetic leather one in the highest trim. For the front row, there is enough room to sit comfortably.
The second row is also quite spacious, but the legroom and knee room can feel a little too cramped for tall passengers. If you choose to move the front passenger seat towards the back for some added comfort, the rear seat knee room almost disappears. The headroom is commodious. However, the seats lack lumbar support.
Overall height and space
The vehicle is 175.6 inches long, 71.9 inches wide, and 64.8 inches in height. The wheelbase is 103.9 inches. Overall, the dimensions are much bigger than the Corolla Hatchback.
Trunk space
Toyota offers best-in-class trunk space in this vehicle. For front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive respectively, the available cargo space behind the backseat is 26.5 cubic feet and 25.2 cubic feet. And to calculate the entire area behind the front seats, it bumps up to 66.8 cubic feet and 65.5 cubic feet respectively.
Price and Extras
Toyota vehicles are known for the great value they have to offer, in terms of performance, comfort, and convenience. Corolla Cross 2022 is available at a highly affordable base price, making it a suitable option for those who don’t want to spend a fortune. While the highest trim can get expensive with the addition of the extra features and 4WD, it’s still a great deal.
Market Price
This compact crossover SUV is available at a competitive price range, starting from $23,410 only. The available trim levels are L, LE, and XLE.
| Trim Level | Starting Price |
| L | US$23,410 |
| LE | US$25,760 |
| XLE | US$27,540 |
The base trim L is equipped with power locks, air conditioning, traction control, satellite radio, and power windows. The middle trim LE offers two additional items apart from the ones available in the base model– keyless entry and multi-zone climate systems. The interior looks different for the three trim levels. While L and LE have nothing extraordinary inside, XLE boasts heated front seats, power driver seats, and faux-leather upholstery, justifying the price tag. The highest trim also gets fog lamps and variable speed window wipers.
AWD/FWD
Toyota Corolla Cross 2022 comes with front-wheel drive as standard. For customers keen on an all-wheel drive, it’s available for an additional price of $1300.
Warranty
The 2022 Corolla Cross is backed by a limited warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles by Toyota, along with a powertrain warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles. While this may sound pretty ordinary, Toyota impresses its buyers with a 2-year (or 25,000 miles) in-house complimentary maintenance.
Verdict
The new Corolla Cross seems like a practical option for lovers of small vehicles, but it’s definitely not perfect. Before it hits the European markets, it needs to work on refinement, engine noise, and the lack of power to garner more widespread popularity.
The faux-leather trimmings try to infuse an upscale vibe, but the use of plastic in the center console takes away that sophisticated feel. Irrespective of all the minor flaws, the vehicle does deserve praise for its excellent build quality– it’s sturdy and designed to ensure longevity.
So if you’re looking for a go-between vehicle that’s bigger than the Toyota C-HR and smaller than the RAV4, and rides smooth, this one fits in perfectly.
