Bright new look Corolla Cross hybrid a happier prospect
Toyota’s made in SA petrol-electric Corolla Cross Hybrid has become a most compelling arrow in its local entry crossover bow. The Cross has proven a smash hit since it arrived a few years back, carrying the geneses of the Corolla and RAV4 badges into a car that’s reset the local motoring landscape, its SA’s bestselling SUV and best-selling hybrid too.
Now it’s also benefited a facelift to bring it more into line with contemporary Toyota design cues. Gone is that sombre mouth. It’s made way for a happier Corolla Cross face in a far bolder look. The new body colour matrix grille is popping all over the global Toyota line-up and it brings a fresh new angle to this popular SUV, so we were pleased to welcome it to the Auto driveway for a welcome reacquaint.
Corolla Cross is SA’s top selling SUV, hybrid
Corolla Cross of course sits in below the RAV4 and above the Corolla Hatch to shift the Corolla badge squarely into crossover territory. It’s bold too. Morph a Corolla Hatch into a RAV4, would sit in the middle frame of that clip. It’s even more handsome car. Stylish too.
Neither too flashy, nor too basic, its auto-levelling LED daytime running headlights now better fit the bill amid those changes alongside LED tail lamps, power-retractable wing mirrors, automatic light control and B 225/50/R18 tyres on those neat alloys.
Access the dual zone air-conditioned black leather cabin via the Smart Key System. Cross is ergonomic and spacious inside. Echoes its Corolla siblings’ elegant and ergonomic style with even better visibility out. Thanks to that extra height.
A pleasant, modern soft-touch environment
Pleasant soft-touch surfaces and double-stitched details abound. Add one-touch power windows, rear vents, four cupholders, stowage binnacles and a 12-volt power outlet. A gesture power liftgate accesses class-leading luggage capacity behind the 60/40 rear seats.
Settle behind the multifunction wheel and you’re confronted by the 8-inch TFT touchscreen. It has CarPlay and Auto mirroring, USB, and C ports. The reverse camera complements PDC and ours had 9-speaker JBL sound. It’s easy and intuitive, but suffers its ageing tech.
Now standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, smartphone connectivity is seamless. The system now also includes multi-touch control with a soft-touch interface, improved Bluetooth connectivity, and an enhanced end-user interface for a smoother experience. To go with the concerto of warning chimes and beeps.
Frugal hybrid just gets on with it
The Corolla Cross Hybrid has a 70 kW 142 Nm 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine. Joined at the hip with an electric motor. Toyota’s latest more compact, more efficient latest generation Hybrid has 90 kW total system output.
It harvests electric power while braking, coasting, and freewheeling and stores the energy in a small, highly effective battery. The e motor can drive under full battery power. It boosts petrol performance too, like a like a turbocharger. And improves economy by a third.
Hybrids are not compromised by antiquated power grids and interrupted electricity supply. Unlike heavy EVs, they need not wait for future local infrastructure before they will operate at their best. And this car is based on the Prius, which sold a million units in 20 years.
Push the Button to Start and Corolla Cross Hybrid is easy to drive. Refined in operation, ride is comfortable. And for the most part, quiet. Best of all, this hybrid adopts none of the bulky feel and handling ills associated with excessively heavy BEVs. Corolla Cross Hybrid’s poise really impressed. Precise and inspiring, there’s little body roll. A low centre of gravity, beefed-up McPherson front and well fettled Torsion beam rear suspension make for an engaging drive.
Corolla Cross Hybrid easy to drive, refined
Driver feedback could be sharper. The Cross is a tad wooden in feel and lacks connection with the driver. And it’s no rocketship. But there’s sufficient power, with that ever present electric bonus. It makes overtaking faster, easier, and dare we say, safer, too. Fuel economy is excellent. Toyota reckons Corolla Cross will sip an average of 4.3l/100 km on a good day. In the real world, we maintained a quite satisfactory 5.8 l/100. That said, this car seems to prefer city driving. Which hybrids do?
Like most hybrids, it sounds a bit like a vacuum cleaner, but its well safety stacked with everything from stability control to ABS EBD brakes. Add Hill Assist, all the airbags, ISOFIX, anti-theft and auto locking. Toyota Safety Sense includes Cruise Control, Blind Spot, Lane Trace, Rear Cross-Traffic and Pre-Collision systems.
There’s good reason why Corolla Cross Hybrid is flying off the shelf. At R545K, this high spec XR is hard to beat. Yes, there’s a small Hybrid premium. You’ll win it back in fuel savings in 18 months. And pocket that third from there. Think about that for a second!
An economical and practical family crossover that’s easy to drive and live with, and handles superbly, the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s biggest plus must be price. And now it even looks quite the part. This car’s strongest suit is exceptional value for money. Over and above its several other strengths,– Michele Lupini
Photos & Data: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV XR
Engine: 70 kW 142 Nm 1.8-litre Atkinson petrol
Hybrid: Electric Motor. Total system output: 90 kW
Drive: CVT FWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h 4.78 sec
0-100 km/h: 10.95 sec
0-120 km/h 15.56 sec
400m: 17.7 sec @ 128 km/h
80-120 km/h: 8.05 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 170 km/h
Fuel Average: 4.3 l/100 km
CO2: 98 g/km
Warranty/Service: 3y 100K/6 service 90K km
LIST PRICE: R545K
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