With as much success as Toyota has had with Corolla, it only makes sense to try and capitalize by expanding the Corolla family. The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is coming, and the brand has big plans for this little crossover.

But will consumers embrace an SUV variation of their favorite Corolla sedan? Critic predictions and early sentiments aren’t as enthusiastic about next year’s Corolla crossover. And this leaves everyone wondering if the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross will deliver the big results the Toyota Corolla has had for so many years.

The Toyota Corolla continues to be a popular choice among consumers

Believe it or not, the legendary Toyota Corolla has been around for more than half a century. This popular sedan came on stage back in 1966. By 1974, it was already a worldwide bestseller. By the time 2000 rolled around, the Toyota Corolla made up 20 percent of the automaker’s global total sales.

As Motor1 reports, the Toyota Corolla has sold more than 50 million units, and it may just be the most popular car in the world. Now imagine this level of success on a new Corolla-badged crossover.

The Cross is coming soon

Toyota is looking to build on the already successful Corolla moniker with its latest introduction of the Toyota Corolla Cross. As Car and Driver pointed out, it’s only logical that the automaker designs an extension of the most popular car to create what today’s consumers want most: small SUVs. 

There may already be seven different SUVs models in the Toyota family. Still, the Toyota Corolla Cross aims to fill a unique slot between the funky C-HR and the popular RAV4. And to differentiate from the other Toyota crossovers, the Corolla Cross offers pretty decent cargo space, an optional all-wheel drive, and a more conservative design. Toyota has complete confidence in the Corolla Cross, hoping to launch with 100,000 in sales for its 2022 inaugural year, capitalizing on the Corolla sedan’s existing culture and consumer popularity.

Early predictions for the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross are lukewarm

As excited as Toyota is about the Corolla Cross, early reviews seem to be less enthusiastic. Car and Driver point out a few “highs,” including the crossover’s value proposition, cargo area, and roster of standard driver aids. But where it lacks is under the hood, as the review goes on to share “lows” that include a “poky acceleration.”

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross will feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, capable of 169-hp and married to a continuously variable automatic transmission. This cute little crossover will also be available in a hybrid variation, and front-wheel drive comes standard. It is a perk that all-wheel drive is optional, but that’s about where the critic praise ends. The Car Connection points to a “sluggish acceleration,” too, and also suggests not-so-comfortable lumbar support in the driver’s seat, giving it an overall TCC Rating of only 6.2 out of a possible 10.

So far, this five-passenger crossover is expected to offer L, LE, and XLE trim levels. The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross will likely have a starting MSRP of $23,410, decently affordable. But in the end, the critics aren’t as pumped about the introduction. 

The new 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross will be available to buy this October. And if you’re a Corolla fan on the hunt for a small SUV, the Corolla Cross is worth a look. You might be less impressed with its acceleration than so many of the early critics seem to be. Then again, you’re probably not buying a Corolla Cross because you plan to win street races. But if your daily drive requires decent get-up-and-go, you may decide against this new crossover.