Cargazing
By Derek Price
The Toyota Corolla has a well-earned reputation for being reliable, efficient, comfortable and affordable.
Still, it lacks one thing: the crossover layout that most of today’s family-car buyers are looking for.
The new Corolla Cross solves that problem.
Based heavily on the tried-and-true Corolla’s platform, it follows the familiar crossover formula by offering a higher ride, taller cabin, spacious cargo area with a lift gate in back and available all-wheel drive.
It results in a vehicle that is exactly what one would expect from a crossover with the Corolla name.
New for 2022, it checks the most important boxes for the vast majority of today’s car shoppers but — just like the Corolla sedan — doesn’t necessarily inspire emotion from the driver’s seat.
If you want thrills, buy a sports car.
If you want a comfortable ride and good fuel economy, though, the Corolla Cross delivers in spades.
Its 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine makes 169 horsepower, enough for adequate acceleration when coupled to a continuously variable transmission, your only choice.
New for 2022, the Toyota Corolla Cross takes one of the world’s most successful sedans and adds a crossover twist.
It shines brightly at the fuel pump, though. My all-wheel-drive tester was rated for 29 mpg in city driving and 32 on the highway. Those numbers are slightly better with front-wheel drive but nowhere near as good as the Corolla sedan’s 40-mpg highway figure using the same size engine.
What the Cross sacrifices in fuel economy it gains in practicality.
The AWD version has a whopping eight inches of ground clearance, enough to make it surprisingly useful driving off pavement. Its hatchback-style cargo area offers up to 25.5 cubic feet of space, too.
Rear-seat legroom is tight compared to some of its competitors, but front-seat comfort is above average for this class. The softly sprung suspension helps with the cushy feeling.
As a whole, the Corolla name has long been more about delivering a good value than anything else. The Corolla Cross lives up to that reputation with a long list of standard safety and technology systems.
A 7-inch digital screen is standard in the Corolla Cross, while an 8-inch display is optional. Radar cruise control and lane trace assist are included on every grade, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
No-cost features, even on the base model, include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB ports, a 7-inch multimedia display, LED headlights, keyless entry and an exhaustive list of driver assistance goodies in the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 package.
That means even the base L model comes with features most competitors charge extra for, including radar cruise control, lane tracing assist and the ability to read road signs. It’s impressive high-tech capability for the money.
It also looks handsome for the price. To my eyes, the current Toyota-brand face looks much better on the front of crossovers than it does on sedans. The Corolla Cross offers the same upright, SUV-like, mildly aggressive stance that all of today’s hottest selling vehicles share.
Pricing starts at $22,445 for the value-oriented L grade, the one that tempts me the most.
The more full-featured LE starts at $24,795, while the XLE tops the lineup at $26,575 before options.
At A Glance
What was tested? 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE AWD ($27,625). Options: Touchscreen premium audio ($1,465), moonroof and power back door ($1,250), adaptive front lighting ($515), carpeted floor and cargo mats ($249), frameless Homelink mirror ($175), universal tablet holder ($99). Price as tested (including $1,215 destination charge): $32,693
Wheelbase: 103.9 in.
Length: 175.6 in.
Width: 71.9 in.
Height: 64.8 in.
Engine: 2.0-liter four cylinder (169 hp, 150 lbs. ft.)
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel Economy: 29 city, 32 highway
RATINGS
Style: 7
Performance: 4
Price: 9
Handling: 6
Ride: 7
Comfort: 6
Quality: 9
Overall: 7
Why buy it?
Just like the Corolla sedan, it offers a fantastic value for the money. The SUV-like layout is sure to be popular with today’s crossover-hungry buyers.