Americans love their SUVs and the U.S. is getting one more option to choose from courtesy of Toyota Motor Company. The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross borrows its name of the world's best-selling vehicle and its styling from the Toyota Highlander, packaging it into a new offering for the North American market.
The 2022 Corolla Cross is underpinned by the same platform as the current generation Toyota Prius and Corolla, and Lexus UX. Its dimensions are slightly larger than the Toyota C-HR and it is smaller than the Toyota RAV4, Highlander, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser.
Up front, Toyota has given the model a black grille that is flanked by LED headlights and black body accents. There's an integrated rear spoiler and either 17- or 18-inch wheels, depending on trim level.
Toyota will sell its new compact crossover in L, LE, and XLE trim levels, all powered by the same engine and with the buyer's choice of front- or all-wheel drive. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder power plant achieves 169 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, the same as it does in "S" grades of the Corolla sedan. The Corolla Cross is slightly less fuel efficient than its sedan counterpart coming in with an EPA-estimated 32 mpg combined for the front-wheel-drive model and 30 mpg combined for the all-wheel-drive version.
The Corolla Cross is capable of towing up to 1,500 pounds, which is the equivalent of a small load like a JetSki or tiny tow-behind U-Haul trailer. Towing a trailer will decrease the car's fuel efficiency.
Toyota has ripped the interior of the Corolla Cross straight from its Corolla sedan and hatchback playbook. The cabin can be optioned to include a power moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control (single-zone is standard), SotTex upholstery, heated front seat, power liftgate, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. A 7-inch driver information screen, 8-inch infotainment touch screen, and nine-speaker JBL sound system are available. Corolla Cross LE and XLE models get standard wireless charging and two USB charging ports for rear seat passengers.
The two-row crossover has a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. Its rear seat is divided by a center armrest with two cupholders in the line-topping Corolla Cross XLE bringing the total number of cupholders in the vehicle to six. Each Corolla Cross seats five.
The automaker promises to make a host of accessories available for the Corolla Cross including a roof rack with crossbars, an activity mount for bicycles, and all-weather floormats.
Each Corolla Cross comes equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of safety technologies which includes a pre-collision warning system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Corolla Cross LE and XLE grades get blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Top-tier XLE models also get front and rear parking assist with automatic braking. Nine airbags are standard.
Pricing for the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross has yet to be announced. Expect it to start in the low- to mid-$20,000 range when it arrives on dealer lots later this year.
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