2022 Toyota Corolla Cross

2 0 2 2 T O Y O T A C O R O L L A C R O S S ~ B Y J O E Y C A P P A R E L L A

Crowd-Pleaser Crowd-Pleaser

Toyota’s Corolla Cross is boring, but its buyers won’t mind�

The fact that Toyota is calling its latest crossover-looking thing the Corolla Cross tells us exactly what the automaker is trying to do here. The new entry aims for the eponymous To yota compact’s combination of reliability, practicality, and efficiency. And given the current craze for anything with an SUV shape, it’s only logical for Toyota to add this raised version.

In Toyota’s seven-SUV lineup, the Corolla Cross carves out a niche between the funky C-HR and the bestselling RAV4, a gap the automaker reckons to be worth about 100,000 sales per year. To find buyers, Toyota has given the Corolla Cross things the C-HR lacks: an inoffensive design, decent cargo space, and optional all-wheel drive.

A pug-dog face and a few creases in the body sides attempt to liven up the Corolla Cross’s appearance, but its design breaks no new ground. An attractive instrument panel is nearly identical to what you’ll find in a Corolla sedan or hatchback, and the easy-to-use controls include real buttons and knobs. While a vinyl seat option convincingly imitates leather, the vibe inside isn’t as special as what you’ll find in the more upscale Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. Rear-seat space is adequate, and the 26-cubic-foot cargo area is way bigger than the CH-R’s 19 cubic feet. All-wheel drive, a $1300 option, necessitates a higher cargo floor that reduces space by two cubes.

Under that raised cargo floor is a multilink rear suspension that replaces the front-driver’s torsion- beam setup. Both versions enjoy similar handling, with the allwheel-drive model slightly more buttoned-down in corners. Either way, the suspension is tuned to

C R O S S O V E R CROS SOV ER S A N D W I C H SANDW ICH

Toyota slices its white bread pretty thin these days� Just two inches of wheelbase separates these three loafs�

Wheelbase Length/Width/Height Length/Width/Height Passenger Volume Cargo Volume Cargo Volume Base Price

Toyota C-HR

103�9 in 172�6/ 70�7/61�6 in 172 6/70 7/61 6 in 84 ft3 19 ft 19 ft3 $22,910*

Toyota Corolla Cross

103�9 in 175�6/ 71�9/64�8 in 175 6/71 9/64 8 in 89 ft3 26 ft 26 ft3 $23,410

Toyota RAV4

105�9 in 180�9/ 73�0/67�0 in 180 9/73 0/67 0 in 99 ft3 38 ft 38 ft3 $27,565*

*2021 pricing t h e n u m b e r s

Vehicle Type: front-engine, front- or all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

Base ����������������� $23,410–$24,710

Engine: DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection Displacement ������� 121 in3, 1987 cm3 Power ����������������� 169 hp @ 6600 rpm Torque ������������ 150 lb-ft @ 4 400 rpm Transmission: continuously variable automatic

Dimensions

• Wheelbase ��������������������������� 103�9 in • L/W/H ����������������� 175�6/ 71�9/64�8 in • Curb Weight ������������� 3200–3350 lb

Performance (C/D est)

• 60 mph ��������������������������� 9�0–9�2 sec • 1/4-Mile ����������������������� 16�8–17�0 sec • Top Speed ���������������������������� 115 mph

EPA Fuel Economy (C/D est)

• Comb/City/Hwy ������ 30–32/29–31/ 32–33 mpg

tackle bumps, not corners. Further eroding any fun ideas you might have are overassisted steering and significant body roll.

A naturally aspirated 169-hp 2.0liter inline-four paired with a CVT isn’t much fun either (although— get excited—a more powerful hybrid version is coming). Throttle response is lazy, the engine is buzzy, and merging onto highways requires patience. Shoppers wanting more power will find it in the quicker but pricier turbocharged versions of the Kona and CX-30.

Those more expensive SUVs aside, the Corolla Cross’s $23,410 base price lands it in a segment that isn’t as cutthroat as the next level up. While we find the Corolla Cross a bit dull, it offers just enough refinement, space, and value to bank on 100,000 sales. A nice start on the next 50 million Corollas.