.jpg)
.jpg)
_0.jpg)
 (1).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg){kind=spacer}
.jpg)
_0.jpg)
Toyota’s European bosses are blaming the styling of the Corolla Cross for the small SUV’s struggling sales, despite the vehicle selling well in Australia and other markets.
Speaking to industry publication Automotive News Europe, Toyota Europe’s Head of Product Strategy and Marketing Andre Carlucci said low sales figures because of the Corolla Cross' looks.
Carlucci said the model was relatively unchanged from the one sold in the US and Japan, and if it had more flair it would be more appealing to Europeans.
Small hybrid SUV gets a fresh face! Will the updated 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross come to Australia to rival the Chery Omoda 5, GWM Haval Jolion, Mazda CX-30, MG ZS?
Small hybrid SUV updated for Australia: 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport to top the range with unique looks and sportier suspension, but will it be better than Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona or Kia Seltos?
Australia's 100 best-selling cars for 2024 show how competitive our car market really is: From the Ford Ranger to the BYD Seal and Chevrolet Silverado, do we have it all?
“We don’t have the perfect Corolla Cross for Europe, in the sense it’s global model", Carlucci said.
“If we bring more European zest, sales will be up.”
The Corolla Cross was introduced to Europe in 2022 and in the first four months of 2025 only 11,259 units were sold, down 14 per cent on the year before, putting it in 25th place for small SUV sales.
The Corolla Cross sold in Europe and Australia is made in Japan, and while it uses the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) that adds design and engineering flexibility across many models, the Corolla Cross hardly varies in design and mechanically from market to market.
.jpg)
“The key point is that Toyota develops TNGA to allow regions to develop upper bodies,” Carlucci said. “The cars need to be what Europeans want, not a mix of what US and Japanese buyers want.”
The Corolla Cross was introduced in Australia in 2022, but sales are in better shape comparatively with 5772 sold in the first five month of this year, accounting for an 8.8 per cent share in the small SUV market with year-to-date sales up by 26.8 per cent.
Of course tastes vary from country to country with Europe's best-selling car being the little Renault Clio hatch, while Australia’s favourite is usually either the Ford Ranger or Toyota HiLux, depending on the month.
An updated version of the Corolla Cross will arrive this year bringing an updated design and more standard features, along with the addition of a more zesty GR Sport grade.
.jpg)
