• 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross ($22,195 – $26,325)
• Pro: The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is an affordable SUV with an available AWD system on every trim level in addition to plenty of standard features.
• Con: Its exterior aesthetics and bland entry-level interior styling leave something to be desired.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross competes in a burgeoning and competitive small SUV segment but looks to win prospective buyers over with its safe styling and brand recognition. There’s no denying that it stands a good chance against other small SUVs like the Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos, and Jeep Compass considering it has a fuel-efficient engine and plenty of passenger and cargo room to go around. Not to mention, it’s priced really well, right in between the smaller Toyota CH-R and the venerable RAV4.

I spent a week in the 2022 Corolla Cross and admittedly, I didn’t understand it at first. After driving it around, I realized that it makes a lot of sense for any budget-minded buyers with active lifestyles. Especially for those that need something more than what the regular Corolla has to offer.

Which 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross trim level is right for you?

Picking the right 2022 Corolla Cross trim level is as easy as 1, 2, 3 – considering there are only three trim levels to choose from:

• L: $22,195
• LE: $24,545
• XLE: $26,325

Every Corolla Cross comes standard in a front-drive configuration, but each trim level can be outfitted with an all-wheel drivetrain for just $1,300 more. My test car for the week was a top-trim Corolla Cross XLE with AWD. In addition to its standard features, it also came with some options including the Audio Plus package, a power moonroof, auto-leveling adaptive front headlights, and a few other accessories like floor mats and roof crossbars. In total, the price as tested was $33,550.

How does the Toyota Corolla Cross look?

No one would blame you if you mistook the Toyota Corolla Cross for a RAV4 in the wild. After all, the front ends and size dimension looks similar at first glance. However, the Corolla Cross has a safe look with its large trapezoidal front grille that’s flanked by narrow LED headlights. From the side, there are bold fender flares and a character line that add some pizzaz to the small SUV’s bland canvas.

That’s not to say that the Corolla Cross looks boring by any means, but compared to rivals like the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos, it’s definitely on the more sedate side of the spectrum. If you want to add a little character to your Corolla Cross, there are seven exterior colors to choose from including a lively Cypress Green Pearl. My test car was a Celestite gray that looked sharp, but it easily blended in with other cars in any lot I parked it in.

How comfortable is the Corolla Cross?

The Toyota Corolla Cross’ interior is a great place to be, especially if you opt for XLE trim with the SofTex faux leather seats. The lower trim levels come with cloth seats, however, they’re comfortable despite whatever material they’re covered in. There’s plenty of room in the two front seats and plenty of space for the rear outboard passengers. The middle seat occupant, however, may feel rather cramped.

Interior space aside, the Corolla Cross’ interior offers a user-friendly experience with easy-to-reach knobs and buttons on the infotainment display and HVAC controls. The three-spoke steering wheel is nice to the touch and the semi-digital instrument panel is easy to read and navigate.

In terms of cargo volume, the Corolla Cross has 26.5 cubic feet of trunk space behind the second-row in front-drive form. Opting for the all-wheel-drivetrain drops that number by one cubic foot. By comparison, the Honda HR-V has 23 cubic feet of cargo space while the Kia Seltos has 26.6 cubic feet.

What type of standard and available features are included?

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The 2022 Corolla Cross comes well-equipped no matter which trim level you choose. According to Kelley Blue Book, in its base L form, the Corolla Cross most notably comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, cloth seats, Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a single USB port, and a six-speaker stereo system.

Stepping up to the LE trim level will net more features like alloy wheels, auto climate control, blind-spot warning, smart-key access, and a larger 8-inch infotainment system. If you want even more out of your Corolla Cross, then top-trim XLE ups the ante with a set of 18-inch wheels, a rear-center armrest with two cupholders, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a front and rear parking sensors.

There are a couple of optional packages to equip your Corolla Cross with as well. The $1,250 Convenience package includes a power liftgate and power sliding moonroof. There’s also an Audio Plus package that includes both of those features in addition to a premium JBL sound system with 9 speakers. I will say, that the JBL system is worth the upgrade for any audiophiles.

How does the Corolla Cross handle?

Considering this small SUV is basically a lifted Corolla, it handles well. Of course, you can’t expect Supra-like agility, however, it can go around sharp turns without too much anxiety-inducing body roll. Otherwise, the Corolla Cross is comfortable to drive around the city and on the freeway, although I did detect a fair amount of road noise from the larger 18-inch tires. The car’s steering is pretty numb as well, but again, it’s not meant to be a sports car. Instead, it’s a comfortable cruiser that can make easy work of your daily errands and long road trip duties.

If you’re looking for something sportier, then I would recommend checking out the Honda HR-V or even the Kia Seltos. If comfort is what you seek, the Corolla Cross has you covered.

The Corolla Cross only comes with one engine choice for now

The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is due to drop sometime this year, but for now, buyers can opt for the SUV’s sole engine choice. That engine is a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter, four-cylinder that produces 169 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. While it is a fuel sipper that can achieve up to EPA-estimated 31 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, it leaves much to be desired when it comes to performance.

According to Car and Driver’s testing, the Corolla Cross pulled off a “slothful” 0 to 60 mph time of 9.2 seconds as compared to the HR-V’s 8.6-second run and the Seltos’ 6.6-second time. As you can see, the Corolla Cross is sluggish and you can definitely feel it in real-world driving. I noticed that speeding up to catch green traffic lights was difficult and I had to plan freeway merges at times. Once up to speed, the Corolla Cross did just fine when passing slower cars was needed.

How safe is the Toyota Corolla Cross?

The Corolla Cross is very safe. It has a hearty list of standard safety features that include nine airbags, lane-keeping assist, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and automatic braking with pedestrian detection.

Unfortunately, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has tested the Corolla Cross, though there’s no doubt it will pass their tests with flying colors.

Is the 2022 Corolla Cross cheap to maintain?

Toyota vehicles have always been known for their reliability and inexpensive maintenance costs and the Corolla Cross is no exception. Repair Pal estimates that Corolla Cross owners could pay an average of $526 per year for maintenance. However, the car is backed by Toyota’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty in addition to a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, so new owners may not have to worry too much about shelling out extra money for unforeseen repairs in the first few years.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross offers buyers a safe choice in a competitive segment

If you’re looking for a small SUV that offers loads of comfort, cargo volume, and an array of standard features, the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is worth a look. It may not be as edgy as rivals like the Honda HR-V or Kia Seltos, but it’s sure to remain a tried-and-true keeper for many years.

MotorBiscuit gives the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross an expert rating of 7.7 out of 10

The editors at MotorBiscuit gave the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross an overall expert rating of 7.7 out of 10. We like the Corolla Cross’ subtle styling inside and out, however, it could use an edgier look like others in the Toyota lineup. That being said, the Corolla Cross is a great choice for drivers that have an active lifestyle and are in need of daily driving comfort.