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The Toyota Corolla Cross XLE in familiar city surroundings.
The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross AWD is the latest in small sport utility vehicles from a brand known for reliable, yet not very interesting vehicles. Does this one fall into the same category? Or is it a vehicle from a new era that signifies that changes are really going on at Toyota. Napleton News spent a week with this latest Toyota. Let us tell you about it:
Here are some highlights:
The new Toyota Corolla Cross is one of the latest Toyota vehicles to hit the road. It is also the first to use the Corolla badge that is not a small four-door sedan or station wagon. Still, it rides on a platform shared with the Corolla sedan.
The Toyota Corolla Cross AWD is powered by an engine also found in the highline version of the Corolla Sedan. It is a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine making 169 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque.
The Corolla Cross is available in a front drive or all-wheel drive configuration. The transmission is of the continuously variable transmission (CVT) type. The FWD version rides with McPherson struts in front and a simple torsion-beam suspension in the rear. The all-wheeler has a more involved piece of kit using a multi-link rear suspension that helps smooth out the ride quality.
Mileage, according to the EPA, varies by powertrain. The FWD wins with 31 city/33 highway mpg. But the AWD is no slouch either, getting 29 city and 32 highway.
It’s pretty straightforward in the grand scheme of things. That means Toyota plays it safe here. No chances are taken the way their luxurious Lexus brand did with the RX, NX and UX crossovers. Start with a standard two-box design. The hood makes up the first box, while the cabin makes up the second.
Three trim levels are available. These include L, LE and XLE. Safety features are standard and include Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane-Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and more. This is the Toyota Safety Sense suite.
The Corolla Cross includes a familiar Toyota grille as seen on vehicles like the Tacoma and in a larger sense, the Tundra. LED lighting is standard across the lineup.
The interior of the new Corolla Cross is impressive. Our XLE sample included Toyota SofTex leatherette seating. In more polite circles this is referred to as “vegan leather” or, uh, vinyl.
Controls are well placed and very similar to those found in the Corolla Sedan. Our eight-inch display screen included such features as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A bonus for Amazon fans: Amazon’s Alexa is here, too. The XLE includes JBL’s premium audio system with cargo area-mounted subwoofer.
XLE trim levels include such niceties as a power driver’s seat. There are others, too, including soft-touch material throughout the cabin, second-row A/C vents and dynamic guidelines from the rearview camera.
The Corolla Cross has cargo capacity behind the second row of 25.2 cubic feet. Fold the second row seats forward to see that area nearly double.
We were surprised!
The last time we were in a Corolla, we were cruising up the Florida Turnpike at a rather high speed. That earlier model had a rear spoiler on the trunk laying so much downforce that we could feel the front tires searching for grip. That ride did not impress.
Jump forward about 12 years. We have a new Corolla, but things are different. This is the Corolla Cross, which is a bit different from the sedan because it is a crossover SUV.
It gets off the line competently enough and pulls relatively hard. But the CVT may not be doing it any favors. We think it hinders smooth acceleration. When you get on it, the engine lets you know its displeasure when pushed hard.
The other thing we noticed was how rough the engine’s start/stop function was when reengaging. It was rather abrupt and intrusive than we have experienced in some competitors. We know Toyota can do better.
Still, we think the new Toyota Corolla Cross is an impressive piece of kit for those looking for a compact crossover with the reliability of a Toyota.
| 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross AWD | ||
| Engine Type | 2.0-liter inline-4 cylinder gasoline engine | |
| Horsepower | 169 hp @ 6,600 rpm | |
| Torque | 151 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm | |
| Transmission | Continuously Variable automatic transmission | |
| Fuel Economy (Combined/City/Hwy) | 30/29/32 mpg | |
| Suspension F/R | MacPherson Strut / Multi-link | |
| Turning Circle | 35.4 ft. | |
| Also Available | Front- or AWD, Hybrid (2023), various trim levels. | |
| Specs | ||
| Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | |
| NHTSA Safety Rating | Not yet rated | |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Wheelbase | 103.9 inches | |
| Overall Length | 175.6 inches | |
| Width | 71.9 inches | |
| Height | 64.8 inches | |
| Cargo Room (Behind 1st and 2nd row) | NR/25.2 Cubic Feet | |
| Headroom, Front | 38.6 inches | |
| Headroom, 2nd | 39.0 inches | |
| Legroom, 1st | 42.9 inches | |
| Legroom, 2nd | 32.0 inches | |
| Shoulder room, 1st row | 52.7 inches | |
| Shoulder room, 2nd row | 52.4 inches |
This post was published on January 25, 2023
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