Toyota's new Corolla Cross arrives Malaysia. It is built on the TNGA-C platform just like the Corolla sedan and C-HR, a well acclaimed chassis which almost always deliver. This is also evident in the recently introduced and fully imported Toyota RAV4.
1.8L NA 4cyl 2ZR-FBE / 139ps / 172nm / 7 speed CVT transmission / 1.8G RM124k 1.8V RM134k
This Corolla Cross as tested is the base G variant, which is the base model of the Corolla Cross, whereas the top of the range V model will get:
1.8V:
- Bi-LED headlights with LED drl
- 18-inch dual-tone wheels
- 225/50 Michelin Primacy 4 tyres
- LED tail lights
- Acoustic laminated windshield
1.8G:
- Halogen projector headlights
- LED fog lamps
- LED combination tail lights
- 17-inch twin five-spoke wheels
- 215/60 Bridgestone Alenza tyres
Standard equipment for all variants:
- Powered tailgate with kick sensor
- Powered wing mirrors with LED indicators and blind spot monitoring
- Leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel with tilt and telescoping adjustment
- Black leather seat upholstery with perforation
- Single-zone automatic climate control
- 9-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Miracast
- 8 way power adjustability on driver seat
- Rear centre air vents
- 2 USB Type-A charging ports (2.1 A)
- Foot pedal parking brake
Colours:
Red Mica Metallic, Nebula Blue Metallic, Metalstream Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Graphic Metallic.
First Impressions:
Drive:
- Good overall body control for what it represents.
- Made for the city, great at town driving.
- Highway driving is decent, but it feels better, more suited for the city where it'll shine.
- Not exactly a jacked up Corolla in reality where there's obviously more suspension travel being a SUV.
- In a way, there's nothing really Corolla about the Corolla Cross apart from the shared powertrain and drivetrain.
- It feels easily closer to the RAV4, although the Corolla Cross feel less insulated all around.
- Torsion beam rear end is not always noticeable, but does solidify the cost saving measure.
Power:
- 139ps / 172nm comes from 1.8L NA 2ZR-FE engine, identical to the Corolla sedan as with the CVT transmission.
- It is quick to react from zero.
- There's grunt from the 1.8L and the CVT box has decent response.
- Engine note can be loud at full throttle and resonates throughout the cabin.
Comfort:
- NVH is okay, not as well insulated or damped as the more premium RAV4.
- Driven anywhere at city speeds, there's really nothing to complain where the ride feels plush for its purpose.
- It is when the speed creeps beyond 110kmh that the exterior noise pollution start to penetrate through the cabin
Inside:
- All black interior includes black rooflining, which is a nice touch, gets 2 thumbs up
- Good seating position front and back
- Seats are rather firm front and back
- Doesn't feel cheap inside, well sorted, no exposed metal from the seat rails etc.
Outside:
- Definitely one of the freshest crossover SUV on the road now, with a relatively bigger silhouette than what's currently available in class.
- Crossing the badge with iconic Corolla helps it secure a place in the C segment range although it's more a B segment SUV in reality.
- Flared arches provide the overall brawn and bruteness, as the tactical matt black cladding adds to its heavy duty physique.
