A Toyota favourite returns to broaden Cross range
The headline reads Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S Arrives In South Africa. Which is a bit cheeky. The story starts more honestly… ‘Toyota is proud to introduce the updated Corolla Cross GR-S to its award-winning Corolla Cross range.’ Then they go on to tell us that the ‘newcomer’ is infused with that unmistakable of Toyota Gazoo Racing DNA.
The long and the short of it, however, is that Toyota has brought the Corolla Cross GR-S back after a short hiatus. Our take is that not everyone loves the current egg crate face look, something we noted split tastes in our long term test of Goldilocks late last year. So what GR-S certainly does achieve, is make Corolla Cross more globally acceptable by offering two rather different looking options.
Welcome stability in a mesmerising marketplace
Point is, there’s nothing new about it at all second time around. Besides a few paint finish and trim details being flipped around. It’s basically identical to the previous Corolla Cross GR-S that slipped off the market when the facelift arrived a couple of years back. Not that it’s at all bad thing.
There’s nothing like a bit of stability, a universal product like this that you know and trust in a market swimming in car makes and models nobody ever heard of, a year ago. Or you still haven’t even heard of mind you. Makes and models that sound more like detergents and personal hygiene products than cars. This comeback GR-S instead broadens your range of choice when choosing which of South Africa’s best-selling SUV variants to buy.
Those of you with an eye for detail will notice that the comeback kid brings back the familiar Corolla GR-S grille and bumper treatment. Oh yes, the grille shroud is now body colour rather than black. The black grille itself is now just a good old egg crate design. And there’s a flash more grey along the bumper chin this time around. Nothing wrong with consistency, hey? We really dig the subtly restyled wheels too.
GR-S adds to best-selling Corolla Cross style
Step aboard and its more of the same. Only the inside changes make the new one far more stylish. Subtle red stitching replaces the garish red framed vents and line across the dash in the original GR-S to complement the red-stitched pews. And the familiar multifunction flappy paddle steering wheel gains a GR gong at the bottom of the lower spoke. And besides a new style centre console, that’s about that.
For the rest, its good old familiar best-selling Corolla Cross style. Just now with that GR bent back, to also satisfy those who like the sporty flair and a perhaps more southpaw look. That Toyota Gazoo Racing World Champion link of course adds to the allure. If you want that. If not there’s still the regular model of the love child of Corolla and RAV4 for you to blend into.
Nothing changes under the skin either. This low mileage car was a tad off the numbers we managed from our well-driven long-termer. So it will get there as it runs in. The hybrid delivers well on both its performance and economy claims.
Variety certainly is the spice of life
Never mind, that list price is also still refreshing. Of course there are a few cars that sound like deodorant brands that are cheaper. But 1500 buyers Corolla Cross every month can’t be wrong, can they?
Which is probably the whole point of this GR-S comeback in the first place. The Chinese threat to the local car industry through this never-ending flood of cheap metal that on the face of it, seems pretty darned good, has some less popular traditional carmakers in a bit of a bind. Toyota, however, has it covered.
By simply bringing back a tried and trusted, perhaps a touch sportier but clearly different looking version of the Corolla Cross, it’s simply re-broadened South Africa’s best-selling car, SUV and hybrid to a greater market.
GR-S makes pretenders feel even cheaper
It’s still a better car all round than any of those Chinese. It’s made in Durban and it does everything as well as, or significantly better too. And it has none of those perhaps cheaper Chinese cars’ foibles that have us pulling our hair out within minutes of first driving them.
If anything, this reborn Corolla Cross makes those pretenders feel exactly that. Cheap. Now comeback kid GR-S now makes them seem even cheaper. Bravo, Toyota! - Michele Lupini
Images & testing: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV GR-Sport
Engine: 70 kW 142 Nm 1.8-litre Atkinson petrol
Hybrid: Electric Motor Total system output:90 kW
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 4.43 sec
0-100 km/h: 10.50 sec
0-120 km/h 14.99 sec
400m: 17.3 sec @ 128 km/h
80-120 km/h: 7.90sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 170 km/h
Fuel Average: 4.3 l/100 km
CO2: 98 g/km
Range: 875 km
Warranty/Service: 3y 100K/6 service 90K km
LIST PRICE: R569K
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