Living with Corolla Cross proves why its SA’s favourite SUV
It’s been a while since we introduced you to our Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV XR, but we’ve been logging up the miles and taking notes. We decided to leave it a bit longer than we may have to follow one or two themes through, including a completely seamless first service and few trips out to better get into the swing of things.
In general, we’ve had very little to complain about 3,000 kilometres in. Perhaps the sales charts are the biggest news. The locally built Corolla Cross continues to star against allcomers, The best-selling SUV once again, Toyota shifted 1891 units in September 2025. Impressive, considering all the big talk of how well some Oriental rivals are supposed to be doing. But more on that in a future episode.
Focussed on value, efficiency, and proven reliability, we’re really enjoying our Corolla Cross. One aspect that’s already shining through is comfort. And to that end, the seats are a standout feature. Their design and support impressed on a recent 5-hour journey, especially versus some compact SUV competitors. Their supportive design certainly combats fatigue.
Comfort – the seats especially – shines through
Overall cabin layout is also clean and functional. Material quality may tend towards practicality over luxury with a mix of hard and soft-touch plastics, but generous front legroom makes Corolla Cross an easy place to spend time in. Those of us with iPhones are really enjoying the advantages of CarPlay and seamless connectivity once the simple coupling process is complete.
We’re however stumped as to why Android phones do not have wireless connectivity. Ane even more so, that there’s no charging pad in the car. Especially when just about every one of its rivals has that functionality. The biggest challenge is that the phone battery drains quickly when connected to the car, so it’s a bit of a catch 22.
Trouble is, there’s also only one USB, and it’s a C-port so not everyone has a cable. So we had to buy a stubby cable to cater for our Android device in the car. We know that Toyota is sometimes slow to react, but we’ll also let you know how our aftermarket charging pad goes, next time.
Corolla Cross has one or two little concerns
All of the above is a pity, because technology is comprehensive and the infotainment screen large enough to see maps clearly. That said, the controls felt unintuitive at first so it took a little time and patience to get familiar with it all.
Still, we’d prefer if it was a simpler task to engage and disengage the likes of Lane Assist. It’s a cumbersome multi-step process requiring you to navigate deep into the menus. Cruise Control also requires an unnecessary multi-step process, and its buttons seem placed too close together on the steering wheel to simply activate the system
These are however minor human issues, and one gets used to them in due time, even it that learning curve is steeper than it perhaps should be. To be fair, we’re splitting hairs here, because en main our Corolla Cross now seems to be doing everything right.
Fuel economy is a definite Corolla Cross highlight
On the road, smooth and linear acceleration continues to impress, no doubt helped along by the electric motor’s immediate torque. generally quiet and serene, Corolla Cross does rend to get a little rowdy when the CVT transmission requires the engine to rev higher, but a measured driving style will ensure its at its best most of the time.
Fuel economy is another Corolla Cross highlight. We’ve achieved a real world 4.8 litres over the past six weeks that included a level of mountainous driving. That’s highly commendable. That said, we’re intrigued by how the car uses its traction battery. We reckon economy would be even better. Was the battery allowed to drain below the 40 to 50% that seems the threshold before the engine kicks in to recharge.
A lower threshold would allow greater capacity to maximise the regen, and thus fuel economy. Toyota’s design however prioritises engine-off cruising at lower speeds. To ensure a reliable buffer of electric power available for immediate acceleration. And that’s why the engine rather tops it up more frequently.
Six of one and half a dozen of the other, but we’ve been pleasantly surprised by our Toyota Corolla Cross so far. There’s certainly very good reason why this impressive little SUV is South Africa’s strongest selling of them all. – Michele Lupini
Additional reporting, images: Roy Hawkins.
Test data: Giordano Lupini
LONG-TERM UPDATE: Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV XR
Engine: 70 kW 142 Nm 1.8-litre Atkinson petrol
Hybrid: Electric Motor. Total output: 90 kW
Drive: CVT FWD
Odo on Arrival: 13,250 km
Odo Now: 15,500 km
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 4.34 sec
0-100 km/h: 10.12 sec
0-120 km/h 13.31 sec
400m: 17.1 sec @ 131 km/h
80-120 km/h: 7.42 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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