Toyota has been producing the Corolla sedan for years, which has reliably been a best-selling model. However, now that Toyota has teamed up with another automaker, the Corolla nameplate is now being offered as an SUV, called the Corolla-Cross. So, what does the Toyota Corolla Cross offer, and does it stack up with its rivals? Let’s take a look. 

What you can expect from the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross

The new Toyota Corolla Cross comes with three trim levels. Its new design uses a TNGA-C platform to lift it off the ground. The exterior has a black grille, LED lighting, black accents, and an integrated rear spoiler. As for paint colors, you can choose from Jet Black, Barcelona Red Metallic, Blue Crush Metallic, Sonic Silver, Celestite, Cypress, and Wind Chill Pearl (which will cost an extra $425). Customers can also choose either a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive platform. 

Corolla’s L trim, which is the base trim, offers fabric-trimmed light gray seats, 17-inch steel wheels, a 7-inch touchscreen, remote keyless entry, rear HVAC vents, and two USB ports. 

Upgrading to the LE trim will get you an 8-inch display, smart key with push-button start system, automatic climate control, three USB ports, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and Qi-wireless charging. You’ll also get a rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and a roof rack. 

The top XLE trim provides drivers with a 10-way power driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, leather shift knob, rear folding armrest, heated front seats, and a tonneau cover. Additional features include LED daytime running lights with fog lights, Sof-Tex trimmed seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic braking, and front and rear parking assist. 

According to Toyota, the price you can expect to pay for the L trim is $22,195. If you choose the LE trim, the price will start at $ 25,545. Lastly, the XLE trim has a starting price of $26,325.

What’s the Toyota Corolla Cross Comparable to?

The Toyota Corolla Cross is often compared to the Toyota RAV4. It holds up pretty well, except when it comes to the engine. The Corolla Cross offers a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 169 horsepower, a far cry from the RAV4’s 2.5-liter engine that generates 203 horsepower. 

However, The new Corolla Cross managed to beat one of its rivals, the Honda HR-V, which only has a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 141 horsepower. Elsewhere, the two are pretty similar when it comes to fuel economy. The Corolla Cross squeezes by with 31 mpg on city roads, where the HR-V only manages 28 mpg. On the highway, though, the HR-V comes out on top with 34 mpg (to the Corolla Cross’s 33 mpg).

Where is the Corolla Cross built?

According to Toyota, the Corolla Cross will come off the production line of MTM (Mazda Toyota Manufacturing), built in Huntsville, Alabama. As the name implies, MTM is a partnership between Mazda and Toyota. 

The two automakers invested approximately $2.311 billion to build the plant and incorporate technologies that will enable them to use leading-edge systems to produce high-quality vehicles. This plant can build up to 300,000 cars in a year under both the Mazda name and the Toyota. 

The 2022 Toyota Cross offers a handful of features for an affordable price, which is also what you get with the Toyota Corolla sedan. If you’re looking for a small compact SUV without all the fuss, but with Toyota’s reputation for dependability, the Corolla Cross will fit the bill nicely.