Capitalising on a world-famous brand and reputation for building all-wheel drive vehicles, Toyota welcomes its latest SUV: the Corolla Cross.
Like many brand extensions, it answers questions that have not yet been asked.
Questions like “does the world really need more Toyota Corollas?” (population roughly 50 million). Answer: probably not.
Or “does Toyota really need another SUV?” Considering they already have no fewer than eight distinct SUVs, not counting the 4WD versions of their all-conquering HiLux, the answer is again: probably not.
Fortunately Toyota knows very well what it’s doing.
With baby SUVs elbowing further into the market for conventional hatchbacks, the new Corolla Cross and its companion, the Yaris Cross, make sense for Toyota, the most sensible of all car makers.
The Corolla Cross slots into the model range - in price and size - just above the funky C-HR and below the top-selling RAV4. Likewise, the Yaris Cross sits below the C-HR, giving Toyota a player in every possible market niche. It's a long was from its big siblings, LandCruiser, Prado, Fortuner and Kluger.
The Corolla Cross will be offered in three trim levels with the choice of two engines - one of them a petrol-electric hybrid, the second a conventional petrol unit.
Prices range from $33,000 for the basic GX up to the flash flagship Atmos which pushes past the $50,000 barrier.
Tested here is the middle-spec GXL, with all-wheel drive and hybrid propulsion, which at $39,250 sits (sensibly) between the two.
Not surprisingly for a car that’s been evolving for six decades, the Cross carries plenty of Corolla DNA. The cockpit is sensible and functional; the cabin impressively roomy for a car of its size (thanks in part to some added headroom courtesy of the SUV shape) and it is unerringly sturdy and trustworthy on the open road.
However the test car did have an annoying habit of oscillating between petrol and electric modes, unable to decide which to use when ticking along at 60km/h.
Otherwise there were very few issues with this new model. It’s perfectly suited to the life of most small SUV owners - a commuter and picker-upper during the week and off to kids’ sport on weekends.
The GXL hybrid tester came with part-leather, part-cloth trim, dual-climate control and 10.5-inch touch-screen. Styling is modern and inoffensive with more soft-touch surfaces than usual.
The Atmos, featuring 18-inch alloys and panoramic moon-roof and power rear hatch, pushes the Corolla dangerously distant from the familiar 20-grand Corolla hatch.
Toyota DNA is unmistakable across its SUV range, from the seven-seat Kluger down through the top-selling RAV4, the baby Yaris and now, the Corolla Cross, like a nest of those Russian babushka dolls.
This is hardly a risky marriage - the Corolla has been on the market for more than 50 years while the hybrid drivetrain in the test machine has been part of Toyota’s arsenal for at least two decades. That same hybrid system has been available for several years in the Corolla hatch, wagon and sedan.
The two-litre, four-cylinder internal combustion engine makes a respectable 126kW and 202Nm, driving the front wheels, and matched to a 10-speed CVT transmission.
Front-wheel drive hybrid models use an Atkinson cycle motor and engine, both feeding the front axle with 146kW and sipping a thrifty 4.3L/100km. The AWD variant uses a second electric motor on the rear axle.
The hybrid makes the Corolla all but silent in its operation and the twin-motor configuration gives it surprising acceleration punch.
Given that there is no particular allowance for off-roading on the Corolla Cross, apart from a second motor, it's safe to assume that urban commuting will be the car’s primary purpose.
But the expanded cabin, which dwarfs any other Corolla model, adds a further touch of practicality to an already whip-smart combination.
As if this car could possibly be any more practical. Unless, of course, there are plans for a Corolla ute.
TOYOTA COROLLA CROSS HYBRID AWD
* HOW BIG? While it’s based on the same running gear as a typical Corolla, the SUV configuration brings with it more cabin and cargo space.
* HOW FAST? The test model, with 146kw, was feisty fun, despite its frugal thirst.
* HOW THIRSTY: Hybrid versions return a stunning 4.3L/100km. Who needs an electric car?
* HOW MUCH? Prices range from low $30,000 to $50k-plus for the ultimate model.
