A car that is so vastly recognized as much as the Beatle and the Mustang. The
Toyota Corolla was and remains one of the company's top selling models. However, as times have changed, so have the desires of the automotive customer. The crossover is now the hot topic and brands are introducing new versions on a regular basis. So when Toyota added the
Corolla name to a Crossover it was bound to be the next best thing…
And it was. Since its release in 2020 Toyota has been turning them out at max capacity. From entry-level offerings to
Hybrids and now even a sporty version. The
Corolla Cross GR-S is a more visually appealing offering that has been given some
Toyota Gazoo Racing goodies.
The
GR-S version which we sampled features a few sportier touches which separates it from other offerings. The
Corolla Cross has a modern and sleek design that is typical of
Toyota's recent offerings. It has a bold front grille, sharp headlights, and a sculpted hood that give it a sporty and aggressive look. The side profile is characterized by a sloping roofline, prominent wheel arches, and a pronounced character line that runs along the length of the car. The rear of the car features a distinctive light cluster and a spoiler that further enhance its sporty appeal.
The interior of the
Corolla Cross is spacious and well-designed, with plenty of room for both passengers and cargo. The
GR Sport treatment also makes its way into the aesthetics of the cabin. You get a
GR push start button, red stitching in the black leather seats,
GR floor mats, a
GR gear knob and a long red pinstripe trim on the instrument panel. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and the dashboard is well laid out and easy to use.
There is also a generous amount of standard features, including a 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, and a rearview camera. The Corolla Cross offers around 440-liters of luggage capacity with a 60/40 split rear bench setup, making it one of the most versatile in the segment.
The Corolla Cross GR-S employs the existing 1.8-litre petrol engine, coupled to a CVT transmission with seven pre-programmed 'steps' to simulate a close-ratio transmission in manual shifting mode. It delivers 103 kW and 172 Nm while sipping just 6.8 l/100 km on the combined cycle.
The Corolla Cross GR-S is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, which offers a full suite of active safety aids including Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Trace Assist and Pre-Collision System. These are joined by the obligatory ABS, VSC, EBD, Hill Assist Control and Brake Assist systems, as well as passive safety aids such as ISOFIX and a full airbag array.
While this might not be a performance car in terms of the way in which it drives, the
Corolla Cross GR-S does look edgy and it offers owners a more visually appealing vehicle that sets itself apart on the road. The motor is potent enough for everyday tasks and reliability can be felt. Is it worth the premium over a standard offering? That will be for your budget to decide. We do like it as it does feel a bit more special.
The
Toyota Corolla Cross is an impressive compact crossover
SUV that offers a great balance of style, comfort, and performance. Its spacious interior, advanced safety features, and smooth driving experience make it a great choice for families. At the end of the day the
Corolla Cross does what it is supposed to do. Sure, it’s not the fastest thing around but it is a
Toyota, it is a
Corolla and it is a crossover and you can’t seem to go wrong with any of those.
Credit Justin Jacobs
