The Toyota Corolla Cross crossover may not be as popular as the Toyota RAV4, but it is still quite popular and finds its buyers. And their number may soon increase, because the Toyota Corolla Cross crossover in the European version has received a portion of updates and is ready to attract attention again. So what has changed?
Updated exterior and interior – this was expected
As is often the case for such interim updates, the car received a small portion of external changes – so that it was not necessary to use new dies for body parts; but also so that the changes were immediately noticeable. In the case of the Toyota Corolla Cross crossover, we are talking about new headlights with divided horizontal stripes-eyebrows of running lights and a new radiator grille, which seems to protrude through the bumper with separate holes. It is also worth noting the solid LED strip between the headlights and adaptive high beam, which should become a feature of the maximum versions of the car. Finally, new wheel rim options have been added and the design of the lights has been updated – they have received horizontal dividing lines.
There are also some changes in the cabin, although perhaps they are not noticeable at first glance. After all, the general shape of the front panel, the protruding 10.5-inch multimedia system display, a separate climate control unit, the shape of the ventilation deflectors - all this has remained unchanged. As well as the familiar Toyota steering wheel or the digital 12.3-inch instrument panel.
However, if you look below, you can see a new center console: the niche for a smartphone has been enlarged, the power of wireless charging has been increased, the design of the transmission lever has been updated, the location of the cup holders and buttons has been changed. And the soundproofing of the engine compartment and even the roof has been improved.
In addition, a new SNOW EXTRA driving mode has been added - this is for all-wheel drive versions. After all, the Toyota Corolla Cross model range for the European market includes the Hybrid 140 version (a gasoline-electric hybrid based on a 1.8-liter engine) with front-wheel drive, as well as the Hybrid 200 version (a gasoline-electric hybrid based on a 2-liter engine) with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive AWD - i, which involves a separate electric motor for driving the rear wheels. And also...
New sports version of Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport and when to expect it in Ukraine
If the exterior and interior updates were expected, the appearance of the sporty version of the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport for the European model range was a pleasant surprise. As has become customary recently, the GR Sport designation does not mean an increase in engine power, but means a package of other improvements.
At a minimum, it has an excellent appearance (a modified front bumper, its own radiator grille, large 19-inch wheels) and a modified interior (sports seats, a steering wheel with the GR logo, red stitching). But the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport crossover is ready to offer even more: it promises a retuned power steering, a 10 mm reduction in ground clearance, as well as a special SPORT mode with sharp engine responses to the accelerator pedal and automatic recuperation selection.
It's a pity, but such an interesting sports variant is not yet announced for launch on the Ukrainian market. Similarly, a wide choice of hybrids or drive types has not been announced - as of today, only one variant of the Toyota Corolla Cross is promised to us: with the most powerful 2-liter hybrid, but only with front-wheel drive.
However, thankfully, you won't have to wait long for the new product: the updated Toyota Corolla Cross crossover should arrive in Ukraine in late summer 2025.