Toyoya has released the new Corolla Cross in Japan. Prices get started from the equal of around £13,000 for the least expensive 1.8-litre variant, climbing to around £21,000 for the selection-topping hybrid product.

When this launch doesn’t bear significantly relevance to the Uk at the minute, there’s a prospect the Corolla Cross could break out of its Asian homeland and into the European industry, exactly where it’ll become yet a further rival for the Nissan Qashqai, SEAT Ateca and Peugeot 3008.

Toyota even now has not confirmed no matter whether the Corolla Cross will make it to Europe, but the firm’s line-up is getting significantly global – especially when it comes to SUVs.

For illustration, the Toyota Highlander (which was usually a product reserved for Japan, Australia and the United States) was not too long ago launched to the Uk. The existing-era Camry was also introduced again to Britain immediately after a 14-calendar year hiatus.

Our spy photographers not too long ago spotted a camouflaged model of the Corolla Cross going through testing in the United States, suggesting an imminent launch for the region – and if Toyota adopts the very same approach as for the Highlander, then the Uk may possibly not be significantly behind.

The company’s new European boss, Matt Harrison, has also hinted that a new SUV the size of the Corolla Cross is on its way to Europe. Previous calendar year, he instructed us: “The way we see the segments growing, some are so major frankly that you cannot include them with 1 merchandise.

“You will need a pair of entries, at the very least, within the segment. C-HR is a fantastic illustration with C-HR, we’re effectively providing 8 for each cent segment share with a merchandise that is an psychological option. It is preferred for fashion, style and driveability instead than outright practicality.

“But there’s a complete big chunk of the C-SUV segment that we really don’t definitely appeal to. We’re actively playing at the leading conclusion of the C-SUV segment and fishing into the high quality segment, practically. So we see further alternatives with SUV items, frankly.”

The Corolla Cross could be the product to plug that hole, sitting down along with the C-HR as a much more useful choice and a go-involving for it and the bigger RAV4. As these kinds of, by the time it reaches the Uk, it’ll will need to have a setting up price of around £24,000. Here’s anything we know about the Corolla Cross so significantly:

New 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross: platform and powertrain

The Corolla Cross is primarily based on the very same GA-C platform as the Corolla hatchback, which is out there with a option of two 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engines in Japan. 

The least expensive £13,000 alternative has no electrical guidance, whilst much more expensive variants get the very same 120bhp hybrid powertrain observed in the Toyota Prius. If the SUV does make it to the Uk, it’ll very likely only be out there with the hybrid process.

Japanese prospective buyers can have the 1.8-litre hybrid with an electrified rear axle, as well, bringing four-wheel generate, whilst the Malaysian model of the vehicle is out there with a 181bhp two.-litre petrol hybrid powertrain. Just about every engine made available on the SUV is also mated to a CVT gearbox.

The new SUV actions 4,460mm extended, 1,825mm huge and 1,620mm tall. There’s also sufficient place within for five older people and a boot major sufficient to keep 487 litres, which places the Corolla Cross perfectly in advance of the C-HR’s 377-litre potential. The tailgate can also be specified with a kick-sensor below the rear bumper.

New 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross: style and interior

Toyota seems to have utilized the more compact Yaris Cross as a setting up point for the Corolla Cross’s style. Judging by the similarities involving our spy shots and Toyota’s official photos, the car’s styling won’t improve for its western debut, both.

The Corolla Cross shares the very same tall radiator grille, slim headlamps and profile as the Yaris Cross. Even the cladding around the SUV’s wheel arches and sills is familiar, but it’s even now a radical departure from the Corolla hatchback’s styling language.

Specifications vary in accordance to region, but the most perfectly-geared up versions of the Corolla Cross occur with a wireless smartphone charger, electrical seats, automated air conditioning, a 4.two-inch electronic show for the gauge cluster and a nine-inch infotainment process, which also seems to be shared with the new Yaris Cross.

Toyota has also fitted a 100-volt accent socket with an crisis electric power offer functionality to the Corolla Cross, which it claims can be utilized to electric power family appliances these kinds of as a kettle in the party of a electric power reduce. There’s also a host of guidance technologies, these kinds of as hill-keep assist, parking sensors and functionality which mitigates unintended acceleration.

What does the new Toyota Corolla Cross have to beat? Check out out our list of the ideal SUVs on sale now