The latest addition to the Toyota family of cars, the Corolla Cross is a practical and affordable entry into the small SUV segment. This crossover version of the best-selling Corolla offers the benefits of a compact SUV with the familiar trappings of its sedan sibling. But does the Corolla Cross offer any premium amenities, such as heated seats?

Introducing the brand-new Toyota Corolla Cross

Making its U.S. debut this past fall, the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is positioned to capture a share in a competitive segment. It contends handily with the Hyundai Kona, Chevrolet Trax, Nissan Rogue Sport, and Subaru Crosstrek. And at a starting MSRP of $23,410, it’s an affordable five-seater as well.

Like its smaller sibling the C-HR, the Corolla Cross is built on the TNGA-C platform that undergirds many other Toyota and Lexus models. The platform provides vehicles with a more rigid chassis, improved forward visibility, and a lower center of gravity to improve handling. It also provides a simpler set of available powertrains. That makes them less expensive to manufacture and more affordable for the consumer. 

And like other Toyota models, the Cross prioritizes reliability, quality, and affordability over luxury and premium amenities. But still, even affordable vehicles offer some premium amenities in higher-level trims and optional packages. And in the winter, options like heated seats sure do come in handy. Are heated seats, among other amenities, standard or available as an option in a Toyota Cross?

How to get heated seats in the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross

Heated seats are indeed available in the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross. They come standard in the front row of the XLE trim. That’s great news for drivers wanting to slide into a warm seat on a chilly or downright freezing winter day.

Heated seats operate using the same basic principles that water heaters and heated blankets use. Each contains a resistor that blocks current flowing through it. When you activate the heated seat, electricity flows to the resistor, which blocks it, generating heat. 

(For those unfamiliar with heated seats: You can use them safely with seat covers. Choose covers that match your car’s make and model to protect your seats over the long term.)

Also, heated seats run on the same electricity generated by the vehicle’s alternator. So you’ll consume a bit more gas using heated seats. Fortunately, the Toyota Corolla Cross is fuel-efficient.

Other features in Toyota’s latest crossover

The standard front-wheel-drive model gets a decent 31/33 mpg city/highway. That’s doubtless due to Toyota’s naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 169 hp. The Corolla Cross, which resembles a small Highlander, isn’t the quickest out of the gate. It hits 60 mph in a sluggish 10 seconds. But it handles relatively well, and the steering is responsive, which you’d expect from a Toyota.

The base-model L also comes with a good set of standard features. They include a 7.0-inch touchscreen, remote keyless entry, and LED headlights and taillights. Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay are also standard, according to Toyota. But the higher-level trims are where the Corolla Cross brings the bulk of premium amenities.

For $25,760, the LE trim comes with an 8.0-inch display screen, roof rails, auto climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and other amenities. And for about $1,800 more, the XLE adds front and rear parking assistance, dual-zone climate control, and a 10-way power-adjustable seat. BUt heated front seats come only in the top trim, adding a touch of luxury to the practical Corolla Cross.