Toyota’s new Corolla Cross has launched in Thailand, with specs and official images of the model revealed before it lands in Australia.
Toyota has further expanded its global SUV line-up with the launch of the new Corolla Cross. The compact model has gone on sale in Thailand and “will be launched in a growing number of other markets” in the future, including Australia.
“Production source and other details for Australia will be announced closer to its launch in 2022,” says Toyota Australia. It is likely that we will receive drivetrain options not yet shown.
The new model is named after the long-running Corolla family car and is based on the same TNGA-C platform.
Toyota says the machine’s development was based on the key phrase “Corolla meets SUV” and it has been designed to blend ‘sturdy’ SUV design cues with a smooth, quiet ride and “exceptional comfort”.
At 4460mm long, 1825mm wide and 1620mm tall, the Corolla Cross is marginally larger than the C-HR crossover that is sold in the UK, although its 487-litre boot is far bigger than the C-HR’s 377-litre version. The Corolla Cross uses a new torsion-beam suspension design that, Toyota says, has been developed to offer a “stable, cushioned ride”.
In Thailand, it will be offered with a 1.8-litre petrol-electric powertrain that provides a total of 90kW and a regular 1.8-litre petrol unit producing 103kW. Given the flexibility of Toyota’s TNGA platform, other units could be fitted in different markets, including the more powerful 1.8- and 2.0-litre hybrid systems.
The Corolla Cross is the second new Toyota SUV launched recently to take the name of one of the firm’s popular hatchbacks, following the Yaris Cross.
The Corolla Cross would fit into the hugely popular compact SUV market in Australia and build on the heritage of the nameplate, competing against the likes of the Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos and Nissan Qashqai.
James Attwood