2022 Toyota Corolla Cross: The Little Toyota Many Were Waiting For

Those who miss the Toyota Matrix and its optional AWD system are certainly among the first to cringe anytime the conservation shifts to the C-HR, the radically styled, urban-oriented crossover that the Japanese automaker introduced for 2018.

Sales are not so bad (8,176 units in Canada last year), but the satisfaction rate is awful: the C-HR leads Consumer Reports’ rankings of the least liked new vehicles for the second straight year, with just 29 percent of owners saying they would buy it again.

• Also: 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross: Making Up For Lost Time
• Also: 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross to Start Under $25,000

At last, Toyota got the message and recently filled the void between the FWD-only C-HR and the immensely popular RAV4. It was about damn time. Mark our words: the new Corolla Cross will enjoy a lot of success in Canada. Our winter test drive validates this claim.

What’s in a Name?

First of all, the design of the Corolla Cross is totally different from the Corolla sedan and hatchback, and much more akin to the larger RAV4 and Highlander with just enough character and toughness to stand out. Behold the large front grille, squared-up wheel arches and plastic cladding on the lower body (as seen on many adventure-ready SUVs that are popping up across the industry right now). The proportions are nice and there’s a small spoiler at the top of the liftgate for a touch of sportiness. Clearly, the Corolla Cross will appeal to more people than the fancy C-HR ever did.

LED headlights come standard, but not the roof rails, which is a bit of a shame. We also don’t like the 17-inch steel wheels in base L trim. The top-line XLE looks way better with 18-inch alloys and LED taillights.

As a side note, the panel gaps are rather large, which not only affects the look but also creates a couple of irritants. Snow and ice build up more easily where the roof and liftgate meet, making the latter harder to open at times. Also, a significant amount of slush can infiltrate the bottom of the door frame, so watch out for your pants as you enter and exit the vehicle.

Pleasant Interior

To be clear, we’re not questioning the build quality of the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross. In fact, virtually no unwanted noises came to our ears during the week in spite of the frigid temperatures. The interior is pretty much identical to that of the Corolla (hence the name), putting function over form. There’s a little more storage at the front of the console, and while we would have liked a bigger cubby under the centre armrest, this is a small SUV we’re talking about.

The seats are neither too firm nor too tight for larger drivers. Headroom is very generous. The standard heated front seats take a certain time to heat up, but the heated steering wheel (LE models and above) can become almost too hot. You need to select the XLE to get Softex (synthetic) leather surfaces and power adjustments for the driver.

The instrument cluster features a 4.2- or 7-inch display depending on the model, while the centre touchscreen is 7 or 8 inches. Powering the latter is Toyota’s Entune infotainment system, which proves fairly easy to use though graphically boring. It’s a good thing that plenty of physical buttons remain around the screen, and that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both supported. You’ll have to wait a couple more years for the brand new multimedia system (see 2022 Tundra and 2023 Sequoia) to trickle down to the Corolla Cross.

In the rear, the outboard seats are slightly recessed and do a good job of supporting the body while providing a bit more shoulder room when a third person (preferably a child) sits in the middle. There’s no folding centre armrest, though. As for the cargo area, it’s one of the most spacious in the segment with over 700 litres. Too bad the rear seats are not flush with the cargo floor when folded.

Safe and Efficient

The Toyota Corolla Cross also owes its name to the fact that it shares its TNGA-C platform and 2.0-litre engine with the Corolla. FWD models are barely heavier than the Corolla Hatchback, while those equipped with AWD carry 200+ pounds. The 169 horsepower are good enough for most daily driving situations—provided you’re not in a rush—and allow towing up to 1,500 pounds. On the other hand, the continuously variable transmission cranks up engine decibels to excessive levels under hard acceleration.

There’s no bigger, more potent engine available, by the way, meaning Toyota’s new SUV can’t go head-to-head with the Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek, Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos. In terms of fuel consumption, however, the Corolla Cross shines with a combined rating of 7.3 or 7.8 L/100 km depending on the number of drive wheels. Full disclosure: our city-heavy test drive in cold temperatures (as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius) netted an average of just over 11 L/100 km. Toyota will add a hybrid variant for 2023, giving the Corolla Cross a definite edge over the competition.

What is the drive like? Well, don’t prepare for any kind of excitement. Steering lacks feedback and swift S-turns are met with significant body roll. The goal with this vehicle was to make passengers feel safe and comfortable. Incidentally, Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 is included as standard. You must also know that AWD models replace the rear torsion beam with a multi-link suspension for better ride quality.

Additionally, our tester was equipped with Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 winter tires and proved more confident in the snow than the C-HR, especially when accelerating, coming out of a corner or going up a slope. We didn’t take the Corolla Cross off the road, mind you. One last thing: the brakes are responsive and reassuring even with a light foot on the pedal.

Verdict

With practical size, available AWD and high predicted reliability, not to mention a price range of $24,890-$33,090, the new 2022 Corolla Cross is the little Toyota SUV many Canadians were waiting for—and rivals feared. If safety, utility and efficiency are more important to you than performance and handling, you’ll love it.

Watch: 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross Overview