Model Features of the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross

The SUV segment is the hottest segment in the automotive world – and it continues to heat up! Toyota has long had some of the leaders in the SUV category, with the Landcruiser and RAV4. They’ve also had some of the most respected compact and mid-size sedans for decades, like the Camry and Corolla. What happens when those two mindsets meet?

You get the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross. This brand-new model from Toyota slots into the subcompact SUV class, between the C-HR and the RAV4. The Corolla Cross merges the small footprint and compact sensibility of the C-HR with the all-wheel drive capabilities and more powerful performance found in the RAV4. Let’s break it down and see why the Corolla Cross is poised to be a massive success.

Performance Features

With a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the 2022 Corolla Cross provides excellent gas mileage, even for a class that is focused on getting great fuel economy! With a continuously variable automatic transmission, it can get 31 MPG around town and 33 MPG on the open road. Opt for all-wheel drive, and this is reduced slightly to 29 MPG city and 32 MPG highway.

Acceleration is predictable but not stellar, driven by 169 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. It’s not meant to be though – this is an SUV for compact northern city streets, not climbing the Rockies. Although it is still capable of doing that. The ride is poised and pleasant, aiming for comfort, and the steering and braking is precise. It’s a package that promises what the name says – a Corolla with crossover capabilities!

Style and Technology

From the front, it’s easy to see where the 2022 Corolla Cross is coming from. It wears a similar nose to the Tacoma and the RAV4 and won’t be mistaken for anything other than a Toyota. That’s not where the similarities end – from the outside, the Cross looks very much like a slightly smaller RAV4, with similar proportions. The cabin has a slight downward slope to the rear, cutting into the cargo space a touch, but it provides the Corolla Cross with a sporty edge.

Inside the cabin, the Corolla Cross is sporty and affordable, with durable plastic and rubber materials throughout. Cargo space is really good for a subcompact SUV, with 26.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, or 66.8 cubic feet with them folded away. Many compact SUVs are only slightly larger than that! Cloth upholstery is standard in the Corolla Cross, with optional leather upholstery. Trim is clean and simple, and while the front seats are spacious, the second row is tight for taller adults. Average-sized adults and kids should be just fine though.

A seven-inch infotainment system – upgradable to an eight-inch unit – integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with Amazon Alexa, for impressive connectivity. SiriusXM satellite radio with an introductory period is standard on all models. The base six-speaker audio system can be upgraded to a premium JBL system featuring nine speakers throughout the cabin.

Safety

Toyota has always been at the forefront of safety, and the 2022 Corolla Cross gets the full treatment. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 system features the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Road Sign Assist, which uses the vehicle’s forward-facing camera to recognize road signs and relay the information to the driver via the dash display. Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is available, with or without Braking Assist. A backup camera is standard, while the top trim adds dynamic guidelines to make backing in and parallel parking even easier!

Trim Levels

In its first year of production the Corolla Cross is being offered in a small run of three trims. These use the familiar Toyota naming convention that is familiar to any Toyota owner by now.

The base Corolla Cross L trim features the 7-inch touch screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. The rearview camera and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite are also standard. It’s a simple model, with manual air conditioning, cloth seating, and power amenities.

Stepping up to the LE trim upgrades the infotainment system to the 8-inch version, and also offers the ability to upgrade to the JBL premium system. The LE trim also comes with Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging, to keep your lifeline powered. The leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel is home to commands for the infotainment system, at your fingertips. The Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is standard.

At the top is the XLE trim, which receives some treatments on the exterior, including chrome moldings and badging, a unique grille, and full LED lighting in the front and rear. Inside, the seating is trimmed with SofTex synthetic leather, and the front seats are heated – the driver’s seat also gets 10-way power adjustability. A leather shift knob, satin-finish door handles, and ambient lighting provide some upscale hints. The XLE adds to the Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert by adding Braking Assist, while also offering Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking to help you squeeze into tight spots. The backup camera gets dynamic gridlines to help with this as well.