Toyota launches 2022 Corolla Cross, offering more luxury, SUV excitement

After months of speculations with unconfirmed leaked images, Toyota on Tuesday September 14 officially unveiled the 2022 edition of Corolla Cross in Japan, the birthplace of the leading brand.

The Corolla Cross is a compact crossover SUV produced as a more practical and larger alternative to the C-HR and positioned between the C-HR and RAV4 within Toyota crossover SUV lineup.

Toyota dropped the news of the launch of the new model on its website on Tuesday, saying the vehicle combines urban luxury with SUV excitement.

According to the automaker, the all-new Corolla Cross combines superb visibility with ample head clearance, ensuring that passengers in every seat can spend every journey―from urban rides to long drives―in comfort.

The Corolla Cross was first unveiled in July 2020. Although most global models retain a similar look, the Japanese-spec Corolla Cross appears to differ from the others, thanks to a redesigned front bumper.

The coming of Toyota Corolla is considered the most popular car in the world, having racked up more than 50 million sales to date, and the number is expected to rapidly grow now that there is a shiny new crossover carrying this moniker.

The latest Corolla Cross comes with front seats providing a high viewpoint expected of an SUV, while slender front pillars and an uncluttered instrument panel result in a cockpit with a full field of view and easily accessible controls; the rear seats are conveniently accessed through large rear side doors and, since they can be reclined, they promise superb comfort and convenience.

Its panorama roof is said to help realize an outstanding sense of spaciousness: its large glass surface provides views of the sky to passengers in every seat, expanding their scope of vision, while the motorized retractable shade allows control over the amount of sunlight entering the vehicle.

Toyota says the vehicle has a commanding and powerful exterior, having been designed to be “urbane and active,” with the dynamism and sophistication of an SUV.

Its commanding, urban proportions are said to be rooted in a contrast between its relaxed upper body – including glass surfaces, and front and rear lights―and its wide, stable bumpers.

It is also said to have some of the best luggage capacity in its class, with 487 litre even when seating five.

Toyota says folding the rear seats further expands the luggage area, providing sufficient space even for carrying road bicycles.

Its highly functional Luggage Active Box has been specially designed and it allows users to store luggage out of sight, while its lid can be shut flat to open up more luggage space.

The luxury and ample space is also experienced inside the vehicle. From the instrument panel to the door trim, the interior is said to exude a sense of continuity contributing to an expansive interior space.

LEDs are used for all cabin illumination, helping to achieve an interior that is luxurious and sophisticated.

Its sporty front seats feature slim backs and provide outstanding support.

It comes with powertrains that deliver a pleasing and intuitive ride. The car is said to respond reliably to accelerator operation, and gains speed in a smooth, pleasing manner.

The hybrid versions deliver class-leading fuel efficiency of 26.2 km/L; their E-Four electric 4WD systems not only contribute to superb fuel efficiency, but also ensure consistent behaviour both when accelerating and driving on any slippery surface.

The vehicle is built with advanced safety package. For instance, Toyota says all grades of the all-new Corolla Cross come equipped as standard with the latest edition of Toyota Safety Sense, providing driving support in all aspects of everyday usage scenarios.

Parking Support Brake and Back Guide Monitor are also fitted as standard to all grades except the G “X,” enabling users to drive with peace of mind even in narrow spaces such as car parks.

Plus Support is said to be available, to control sudden acceleration due to misapplication of the accelerator pedal.