2023 Toyota Corolla Cross: Hybrid available range-wide

The hotly-anticipated Toyota Corolla Cross SUV will feature the option of hybrid power across the range when it lands in Australian showrooms in the latter stages of 2022.

On the ‘coming soon’ webpage for the all-new crossover, Toyota Australia confirms not only the option of hybrid across the Corolla Cross line-up, but also the option of 2WD and AWD hybrid powertrains.

“The Corolla Cross has a powerful and efficient Hybrid option available from the base grade,” the company says on its website.

“Urban cycle results achieved 4.4L/100km and extra urban cycle achieved 4.6L/100km. Results achieved for Corolla Cross GX 2WD SUV Hybrid in ADR81/02 combined drive cycle fuel consumption testing.”

Toyota Australia has previously confirmed the Corolla Cross would offer the company’s fifth-generation 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain, and both front- and all-wheel drive will make it here. Previously, it looked likely only the latter would be on the cards for our market.

While Toyota Australia is yet to confirm specifications for Australia, the EU-market Corolla Cross with the 2.0-litre petrol-electric AWD drivetrain offers 146kW of system power, good for a 0-100 sprint in 8.1 seconds.

Dubbed AWD-i, the all-paw version gains a 30.6kW electric motor on the rear axle which “automatically engages to give greater traction, driving confidence and peace of mind in low-grip conditions”.

The fuel consumption claim mentions the “Corolla Cross GX 2WD Hybrid”, indicating the range will start with a base GX grade as we’ve seen across the brand’s other SUV lines. The names of other trim levels haven’t been confirmed, but a mid-grade GXL and either a top-spec Urban (like Yaris Cross) or Cruiser (like RAV4) are likely to feature.

Other Australian-market details are still to be confirmed, though Toyota has indicated the Corolla Cross will offer the “latest multimedia system” with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, bringing it in line with planned upgrades to the Corolla and RAV4.

It’s expected a 10.5-inch touchscreen will be available, as well as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. These features are offered on models in Europe, and are understood to be planned for the 2023 model-year Corolla and RAV4 as well.

“A raft of improved Toyota Safety Sense features” will also feature on the Australian model, and while not detailed by the local division, the European Corolla recently rolled out the following Toyota Safety Sense upgrades:

• Acceleration Suppression: Reacts to sudden use for the accelerator when travelling at low speeds
• Collision Avoidance Support: Enhanced AEB that assists when turning at intersections or junctions; also now includes lateral collision avoidance
• Emergency Steering Assist: Enhanced to now recognise oncoming vehicles
• Curve Speed Reduction: Adjusts adaptive cruise control speed for curves and bends
• Safe Exit Assist: Triggers a warning if it a door is opening into the path of a vehicle or cyclist approaching from the rear
• Rear Seat Reminder: Alerts the driver before they leave the vehicle that they may need to check if they’ve left something in the rear seats

CarExpert reached out to Toyota Australia for further comments, but the local arm was unable to confirm any new information at the time.

The Corolla Cross will slot in between the C-HR and RAV4 in Toyota’s expansive SUV line-up, meaning we should see the base GX petrol kick off between $31,000 and $34,000. High-spec AWD Hybrid versions will likely sit in the low- to mid-$40,000 bracket.

Key rivals include larger ‘Small SUVs’ like the GWM Haval Jolion, Kia Niro and Seltos, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Kamiq.

It’s expected the company will announce more Corolla Cross details in the coming month, so stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest.

MORE: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross – Initial details