Toyota Corolla Cross - „Lückenfüller!“

Do you know which car is the best-selling car in automotive history? Well, it's the Toyota Corolla, with over 50 million units sold, and the number is still growing. Toyota is now expanding the Corolla lineup with an SUV model, the Corolla Cross. The question immediately arises: why would a manufacturer with an already extensive SUV range below the original off-roader, the Land Cruiser, expand it even further? The answer is simple: because they can, and because they can fill a gap between the C-HR and the RAV4. After all, SUVs of all sizes and variants are currently in high demand. Toyota Corolla Cross – "Gap Filler!" Do you know which car is the best-selling car in automotive history? Well, it's the Toyota Corolla, with over 50 million units sold, and the number is still growing. Toyota is now expanding the Corolla lineup with an SUV model, the Corolla Cross. The question immediately arises: why would a manufacturer with an already extensive SUV lineup below the original off-roader, the Land Cruiser, expand it further? The answer is simple: because they can, and because they can fill a gap between the C-HR and the RAV4. After all, SUVs of all sizes and variants are currently in high demand. While the smaller Cross variants like the Aygo X (Cross) and Yaris X appear very modern, lifestyle-oriented, and fresh, the Corolla Cross is somewhat more sedate. It's aimed at more mature customers with the necessary income to purchase a vehicle above €35,000. Therefore, the design language is almost predetermined: more timeless and also more robust. This target group doesn't buy impulsively, not according to trends, and has an eye for long-term, and thus sustainable, use. This is reflected in the design, which is somewhat inspired by the larger and very successful RAV4. ' ' Cross' is a ' ... The design is therefore classically conservative, featuring a straightforward SUV body style with a bold double-trapezoidal front, a strongly contoured hood, narrow LED headlights, flared wheel arches, and plastic trim all around. This raises the question for prospective buyers: what are its technical advantages? The price difference to the RAV4 isn't all that significant. At €38,600 for the initially launched 2.0-liter hybrid version with front-wheel drive, the Corolla Cross is also approaching its larger sibling in terms of price. However, it does come with better standard equipment. The price gap isn't expected to normalize until the introduction of the more affordable base version with a less powerful 1.8-liter hybrid engine in 2023. The Corolla Cross is also the first Toyota worldwide to feature the new self-charging hybrid drive system, which, in its fifth generation, promises more power and torque in a more compact design and with less weight. There are still two variants: The 1.8-liter entry-level version now delivers 140 hp and will follow. At launch, only the 2.0-liter gasoline engine variant we tested will be available, offering a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive and a system output of 197 hp. The chassis and steering are very well executed. MacPherson struts at the front and double wishbones at the rear effectively absorb shocks and vibrations. Toyota has expanded and improved its standard TSS (Traditional Safety System) for the Corolla Cross. New front cameras and more sensitive radar sensors now detect collisions and hazards at nearly twice the distance, and with greater range. The Corolla Cross starts at €38,600 for the larger 2.0-liter hybrid version with front-wheel drive in the "Team Germany" trim, which Toyota expects three-quarters of all buyers to choose. In addition to the aforementioned safety and infotainment features, this includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather steering wheel, a reversing camera, privacy glass, and 18-inch alloy wheels. All-wheel drive adds another €2,000. But... the smaller version is coming soon, and Toyota offers almost all models anyway. While other manufacturers cite a chip shortage, Toyota demonstrates why establishing its own chip production back in the 1990s was the right decision. Corolla Cross 2.0-liter Hybrid Specifications Length x Width x Height: 4460 x 1825 x 1620 mm Wheelbase: 2640 mm Engine: Inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine, 1987 cc, fuel injection - full hybrid Power: 112 kW / 152 hp at 6000 rpm Max. torque: at 4400 rpm Electric motor: 83 kW / 113 hp – 206 Nm Battery: Lithium-ion battery System output: 144 kW / 196 hp Top speed: 180 km/h Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 7.7 sec. WLTP combined fuel consumption: 5.1 l/100km Fuel consumption: 1 litre/100km CO2 emissions: 114 g/km (Euro 6d-temp) Fuel tank capacity: 43 litres Curb weight / Payload: min. 1440 kg / max. 1280 kg Trunk volume: 425 - 1337 litres Max. towing capacity: 750 kg Base price: €38,600