Toyota Corolla Cross Reviews

There's stiff competition in the small hybrid SUV segment but does Toyota's entrant still have what it takes in updated guise?

We give our final verdict on the impressive Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid GXL. Is it a solid, frugal family-friendly small SUV?

Small SUVs are bigger than ever - both in terms of sales and sheer size. We pit two of Australia's biggest-selling small hybrid SUVs against each other to determine which one comes out on top. Is it the Toyota Corolla Cross or the Hyundai Kona?

Compact SUVs are pitched at growing families, so we put Toyota's hybrid Corolla Cross through its paces to see how it handles a family of four.

This SUV is a rarity for Toyota, but this hybrid compact SUV alternative to the Hyundai Kona and Haval Jolion could be a sleeper.

It's not just the fuel economy that's good on the new Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid 2WD! It has the luxury features you often find on more expensive SUVs, combined with a no-fuss drive experience. While it is an SUV, it still manages to handle more like a hatch. Combined with fantastic fuel economy, this car ticks a lot of boxes.

The highest grade in the Corolla Cross range is the Atmos with its list price of $43,550 for the petrol front-wheel drive variant, $46,050 for the front-wheel drive hybrid, and $49,050 for the all-wheel drive hybrid version.Coming standard on the Atmos are LED headlights, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, digital radio and a reversing camera.There’s also roof rails and rear privacy glass, leather upholstered seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, a 10.5-inch display with built-in sat nav.Also included are a panoramic moon roof, 18-inch alloys, a power tailgate and power driver's seat, heated front seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and wireless phone charging.The Corolla Cross hasn’t been given an ANCAP crash test rating yet, but the advanced safety tech every grade comes with is impressive.All Corolla Crosses come with AEB that can detect pedestrians and cyclists, and impressively can function between 5.0-180km/h. There’s also lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control.The Atmos also comes with auto braking which works while you’re parking and auto parking.

The Corolla Cross GXL sits in the middle of the range with the petrol front-wheel drive listing for $36,750, the hybrid FWD listing for $38,250, and the all-wheel drive hrybid costing $42,250.  Coming standard on the GXL are LED headlights, a proximity key, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, a reversing camera, roof rails and rear privacy glass, leather upholstered seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, plus a 10.5-inch display with built-in sat nav.As for fuel consumption the hybrid uses between 4.3-4.4L/100km after a combination of open and urban roads, while the petrol uses 6.0L/100km.The Corolla Cross hasn’t been given an ANCAP crash test rating yet, but the advanced safety tech every grade comes with is impressive.All Corolla Crosses come with AEB that can detect pedestrians and cyclists, and impressively can function between 5.0-180km/h. There’s also lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control. The GXL also comes with manoeuvre braking.

The Corolla Cross line-up kicks off with the GX grade and the most affordable version at this level is the petrol variant for a list price of $33,000, while the hybrid is $2500 extra. The GX grade is only available in front-wheel drive, however. So, you’ll need to step up to the GXL for all-wheel drive.Coming standard on the GX are LED headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels, fabric seats, climate control, proximity keys, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker stereo (with digital radio) and a reversing camera.As for fuel consumption the hybrid uses 4.3L/100km after a combination of open and urban roads, while the petrol uses 6.0L/100km.The Corolla Cross hasn’t been given an ANCAP crash test rating yet, but the advanced safety tech every grade comes with is impressive.All Corolla Crosses come with AEB that can detect pedestrians and cyclists, and impressively can function between 5.0-180km/h. There’s also lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control.Is the cheapest version of this small SUV best? Hybrid vs petrol? Not quite the GXL grade that offers more features. 

The Corolla Cross Hybrid can be had in three grades. The entry-level is the GX which is two-wheel drive only for a list price of $35,500. Stepping up to the the GXL 2WD will cost you $39,250 while the all-wheel drive is $42,250. The top of the range Atmos is the most expensive with its list price of $46,050 for the two-wheel drive and $49,050 for the all-wheel drive.Is the petrol-electric hybrid small SUV price worth it? Yes, definitely. The hybrid version of the Corolla Cross costs just $2500 more than the petrol variant.You’ll save money on fuel, too, with the hybrid using between 4.3 and 4.4L/100km after a combination of open and urban roads. That compared to the fuel consumption of the petrol which is 6.0L/100km.Coming standard on the GX are LED headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels, fabric seats, climate control, proximity keys, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker stereo (with digital radio) and a reversing camera.The GXL gets all that and adds roof rails and rear privacy glass, leather upholstered seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, plus a 10.5-inch display with built-in sat nav.Now the Atmos, which is the fanciest Corolla Cross with its panoramic moon roof and 18-inch alloys, a power tailgate and power driver's seat. Those front seats are heated, and so is the steering wheel. There's a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and wireless phone charging.The Corolla Cross hasn’t been given an ANCAP crash test rating yet, but the advanced safety tech every grade comes with is impressive.All Corolla Crosses come with AEB that can detect pedestrians and cyclists, and impressively can function between 5.0-180km/h. There’s also lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control.If you step up to the GXL you’ll get auto braking which works while you’re parking and the Atmos gets auto parking.The impressive airbag tally is the same across the Corolla Cross range, with a total of eight. These include a front centre airbag and driver's knee bag, but there are no side airbags for back seat occupants.