Editor’s Be aware: This evaluation involves you from Motor1 Brazil. The story was translated from Portuguese and edited for readability and region-specific particulars. You’ll be able to learn the unique piece right here.
When the Toyota Corolla Cross arrived within the Brazilian market, it ended the easygoing lifetime of the Jeep Compass. The Stellantis mannequin as soon as dominated its small-SUV phase, however now it has a competitor that guarantees to shake issues up. Not too long ago launched for our South American neighbors (and in-built Brazil), the Toyota Corolla Cross brings the equally named compact sedan’s sterling popularity to the category.
Grasp’s Diploma In Engineering
Constructed on the TNGA-C base that helps the Corolla, however with some simplifications that we’ll clarify later, the Corolla Cross will debut in 4 variations, two with a 2.0-liter inline-four (XR and XRE) and two with the 1.8-liter hybrid (XRV and XRX). For this primary contact, we had a couple of hours with the XRE, XRV, and XRX variations. The expertise was transient, however it nonetheless allowed us to realize a superb first impression of the SUV. For the document, the American model of the crossover will put on L, LE, and XLE badges on again, with solely a 169-horsepower (126-kilowatt) 2.0-liter 4 beneath the hood. A CVT will ship energy to the entrance or all 4 wheels.
First off, the Corolla Cross carries quite a lot of the eponymous small sedan in its DNA. Despite its SUV kind issue, it’s extra like a tall Corolla Hatch than a mannequin designed for off-road use. With solely 6.3 inches (161 mm) of floor clearance and an strategy angle of 21 levels, the Corolla’s crossover was made to face city obstacles resembling broken asphalt, spring breakers, and driveways, with out a lot aptitude for grime.
The Corolla Cross design is extra sturdy than the sedan’s, notably the RAV4-like entrance finish and plastic-clad fender flares, however the inside principally repeats the identical structure and tools of the Corolla. Apart from the marginally taller driving place and the excessive hood in entrance, it seems and feels very like the sedan. Within the rear, there’s noticeably extra vertical area because of the roof not extending previous the the C-pillar, however the Cross has a 0.7-inch shorter wheelbase (105.5 inches in opposition to 107.2) and that is mirrored within the legroom of those that journey within the again seat: it isn’t unhealthy, however it loses out some in comparison with the sedan.
If measured solely to the beltline, the trunk additionally has much less capability: 15.5 cubic toes versus 16.6 within the Corolla, though loading to the roofline clearly quells that concern. It’s additionally sufficient to beat the Compass, whose 14.4 cubic toes to the beltline falls considerably brief. In comparison with the Thai model of the Corolla Cross, the Brazilian SUV acquired a brief spare tire, which lowered the capability of the compartment. The US mannequin will do the identical, placing a donut beneath the cargo space for roadside emergencies.
There are additionally some engineering simplifications relative to the four-door Corolla. The rear suspension, for instance, is a torsion beam as a substitute of the impartial multilink of the sedan. Toyota’s rationalization is that the system is lighter and takes up much less vertical area than the multilink, however we suspect the choice additionally has to do with prices. Within the US, choosing all-wheel drive will swap in that extra subtle suspension setup, restoring every rear wheel’s independence.
The Brazilian-spec SUV’s supplies have additionally been simplified relative to the Corolla. Whereas within the sedan the dashboard is fabricated from injected foam, the SUV’s is molded in inflexible plastic and receives some imitation-leather trim – curiously the door panel uppers maintain the sedan’s comfortable contact materials. In fact, we’re not optimistic what’s regionally particular or if the American-market Cross can have totally different supplies (maybe equal to that of the Corolla sedan and hatch).
We do know that every one variations of the crossover will obtain Toyota Security Sense customary when it arrives in US showrooms, with ahead collision warning, automated emergency braking, and lane departure prevention. LE and XLE trims additionally get blind spot monitoring.
Household Resemblance
A quick drive on Toyota’s check observe allowed us to pattern the two.0 and 1.8 hybrid variations, leading to a number of Corolla taste, as anticipated. With weight stored near the sedan and the identical engine and transmission, the Cross would quietly move because the three-box Corolla if we may drive it with our eyes closed. The steering weight, the smoothness of the controls and even the identical comfy journey led to this conclusion.
On this facet, a minimum of on this first analysis, the torsion-axle rear suspension doesn’t appear to have an effect on issues negatively, however we nonetheless want to check the potholes within the streets and in addition to take some curves with extra momentum (Toyota’s observe has solely two low curves and the highway floor was barely moist on the time of our check). The directional stability, nonetheless, proved to be fairly enough, and even with sudden steering inputs at pace, the physique remained nicely balanced. A sedan-like floor clearance additionally helps to maintain the journey near that of the traditional Corolla.
The identical goes for straight-line efficiency, with the Cross feeling very like the sedan in acceleration and overtaking. The extra highly effective 2.0-liter inline-four is the fanatic’s alternative, as a result of along with extra grunt, it additionally has Toyota’s glorious CVT Direct Shift, which features a bodily first gear for extra exact departures. As within the sedan, it’s actually one of many highlights of the Cross, giving it rather more response off the road. The Corolla Cross accelerated from to 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) in 10.1 seconds, or solely 0.4-second greater than the equal Brazilian-market sedan.
Transferring on to the hybrid Cross, with simply 122 hp (91 kW) underfoot, the drive is extra a few clean journey and gas financial system. The added weight of the electrified powertrain is noticeable, and the gearbox here’s a regular CVT with no bodily gear. The 100-km/h (62-mph) dash takes 12.1 seconds, two ticks seconds slower than the two.0 and half a second off the hybrid sedan. As compensation, the Corolla Cross hybrid presents a quiet engine and improved gas financial system. We’re not optimistic the US market will obtain a hybrid, but when so, anticipate it to beat out the two.0-liter’s mixed EPA score of 32 miles per gallon with front-wheel drive.
Good Omens
If the primary impression is what stays, we are able to already say that Toyota’s first Brazil-produced SUV was definitely worth the wait. [Editor’s note: The American-market CUV will likely be produced at the company’s Alabama production facility.] The Corolla Cross is strictly what you’ll anticipate from a crossover derived from such a profitable sedan, and it ought to just do as nicely in its respective market. Disgrace, then, that Toyota made some obvious value cuts, however it may need been not solely to make the Corolla Cross fairly priced, but additionally to maintain the sedan engaging now that it’ll have its most harmful rival now coming from inside the household.
