Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has updated the Corolla Cross nameplate, giving the model a modern look, a more stylish cabin, a more appealing powertrain setup, as well as an enticing sticker price.
Per the local arm of the Japanese car manufacturer, the Toyota Corolla Cross is the country’s best-selling hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) to date. TMP President Masando Hashimoto, even emphasized the nameplate’s role in the brand’s drive to enable customers to pursue sustainable mobility options.
“The Corolla Cross, the first strong hybrid crossover in the Philippines, has been a key to accelerating electrification in the Philippines. TMP pioneered hybrid in 2009, but it’s upon the Corolla Cross launch in 2020 when we started achieving three-digit annual sales figures of xEVs (electric vehicles). Last year, TMP reached 7,203 Lexus and Toyota xEV sales,” Hashimoto noted.
“As of end of February 2024, there are already more than 4,000 electrified Corolla Cross on the road, part of the more than 13,000-strong customers who chose electrified Toyota and Lexus models since we started the electrified movement,” he added.
The Toyota Corolla Cross base (G) and mid (V) variants now wear a mesh-like grille with hexagonal outlines. The more modern iteration of the crossover’s front fascia gives it a fresh new look.
On the other hand, the Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S trim retains the sporty and aggressive-looking front facade of the vehicle’s previous version.
All three variants get LED headlamps. The Toyota Corolla Cross V and GR-S grades come with automatic high beams and sequential turn signals.
Further, the Toyota Corolla Cross V and GR-S trims get a power back door with kick sensor.
Lastly, the range-topping Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S is given a panoramic moonroof — which TMP pointed out — gives the top-of-the-line variant that added premium feel.
Inside, all grades of the Toyota Corolla Cross come with LED interior lamps, a leather steering wheel, an electronic parking brake, a 10-inch display audio with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad.
Differentiating the three variants are the vehicle’s multi-information display (MID). For the base model, drivers will see a 4.2-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) display while the mid-variant gets a seven-inch TFT MID. Finally, would-be owners of the crossover on top of the variant hierarchy will be greeted by a large 12.3-inch dully digital MID.
Across the board, the Toyota Corolla Cross use a hybrid powertrain with a 1.8-liter gasoline engine that puts out approximately 96 horsepower (hp) and an electric motor that makes some 43 horses.
In total, the overall power output generated by the hybrid setup is around 120 hp with about 142 Newton-meters of torque.
The said hybrid powertrain is mated to a continously variable transmission that allows for a more eco-friendly drive, giving Toyota’s customers the power to start their journey to a carbon-neutral future.
Stopping power comes from ventilated disc brakes at the front and solid disc brakes at the rear. These components are housed in a set of 17-inch alloy wheels for the Toyota Corolla Cross G, 18-inch alloy wheels for the V variant, and 18-inch alloy wheels with GR-S design for the GR-S model.
Suspension-wise, the base and mid grades get MacPherson struts at the front and torsion beams at the rear. The top-tier model gets GR-S MacPherson struts and GR-S torsion beams.
The refreshed Toyota Corolla Cross gets a robust list of safety features, which include both active and passive safety technologies.
Standard ones like vehicle stability control, electronic brake-force distribution, an anti-lock brake system, and emergency brake signal is offered by the Toyota Corolla Cross G variant. It also gets two front sensors and four rear radars as well as a static back camera.
Customers moving up the variant ladder can expect the Toyota Corolla Cross V trim to get additional safety amenities such as four clearance and back sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and the Toyota Safety Sense suite of safety features: pre-collision system, automatic high beam, lane tracing assist, lane departure control, and cruise control.
Those shooting for the Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S will be treated to a panoramic view monitor.
TMP’s head honcho added that the improvement in the Corolla Cross is also part of the drive to continue nurturing the Corolla brand.
“The Corolla is the best-selling Toyota nameplate in the world. Since the introduction of the brand in 1966, roughly 50 million units have been sold in 150 countries — and that includes the Philippines,” he stated.
“The Corolla’s story continues today, and with its role in carbon neutrality, we are working on having the Corolla enjoyed by generations to come,” he concluded.
Aside from the Corolla Cross, TMP also offers the Corolla Altis sedan, which in 2019, became TMP’s first mainstream nameplate to offer an HEV variant.
Photos from Juan Paulo Papa and Jirehl Kent Flores
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