Car dealerships near Santa Ana particularly Toyota of Orange may be receiving a new Toyota addition very soon. It is a small SUV crossover that kind of reminds the sales representatives of new and used cars serving Santa Ana of a pug dog, but that doesn’t matter because they are cute canines. This new puppy heading to the car dealerships is called the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross and it will be available in a hybrid powertrain.
It looks like this new mini-SUV looks set to compete in the very cut-throat American crossover market. Toyota announced that the vehicle went on sale in Thailand first when it launched in the summer of 2020, and it will launch later in other markets.
It is strongly believed that the new Corolla Cross is bound for North America. The Corolla Cross will fit into the Toyota SUV lineup between the smaller C-HR and larger RAV4. At the moment it is difficult to determine how the North American version will be powered. However, in Thailand, the SUV is available with an optional hybrid powertrain, but it could be Toyota offers this as standard since the car world is moving to more hybrid focused vehicles, which is evident in the all-new Sienna and Venza.
Even though the reps of car dealerships near Santa Ana say the new vehicle has the same familiar Corolla name, the Cross is not a variation of the current-production Corolla sedan or hatchback. Instead, it will be an all-new model for the Japanese car manufacturer when it makes an appearance in American car showrooms. It is possible that the new SUV will debut before the 2022 model year, but could be launched in late 2021.
For the time being, Toyota hasn’t released any information on pricing, trim levels, or available features, so it is a challenge to select which model will provide the best value.
If you are a car enthusiast, then you will most likely be familiar with the abbreviated term CUV, which stands for Compact Utility Vehicle. This is what the 2022 Corolla Cross will be referred to rather than your more usual SUV.
Driving
As there is no indication yet what powertrains of the Corolla Cross will be available in the United States, we have to take a look at what is already available in Thailand. The vehicle is a subcompact SUV that has 138 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder that is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive.
There is a rumor that when the Corolla Cross comes to the U.S. there may be a more powerful 169-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-four that is also offered in some versions of the Corolla sedan and hatchback.
If this sounds like a vehicle powertrain that you have heard before, that is because the same setup is available in both the Corolla hybrid sedan and the C-HR SUV. What is even more thought-provoking is the fact that the Corolla Cross also offers an optional hybrid powertrain in worldwide markets, which adds two electric motors to the entire blend.
The Corolla Cross shares the same 103.9-inch wheelbase as the C-HR, however, it is a few inches longer, wider and taller than that subcompact model. Additionally, the Corolla Cross is also several inches longer, wider, and taller than the Corolla hatchback.
There is potential for Toyota to make the hybrid powertrain standard equipment when the Corolla Cross arrives in North America, and if that is the case, it could indicate that all-wheel drive is a possibility.
Again, the EPA has not divulged any information on fuel economy ratings for the Corolla Cross yet and we probably won’t know about the estimated numbers until we get closer to the SUV’s on-sale date.
Technology
From the Corolla Cross’s dashboard protrudes a square infotainment display surrounded by shortcut buttons. This similar setup is used in many of Toyota’s current models, which provide 7.0 and 8.0-inch displays. The 2022 Corolla Cross is probably going to use the prevailing version of Toyota’s infotainment interface, which is straightforward and easy to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will probably come as standard features but in-dash navigation and a JBL stereo system will certainly be optional extras.
When it comes to the 2022 Corolla Cross’ safety and driver assistance features, we anticipate that Toyota will carry on with what it is currently equipping its vehicles and that is with standardized driver-assistance features. This means that even advanced features such as adaptive cruise control should be included in every model.
Comfort
The philosophy of this new vehicle is simple since its Corolla interweaved with an SUV, so buyers get the best of both worlds. There is a unique dynamic of power, sleekness, and sophisticated design with high levels of SUV efficiency.
The Corolla Cross has the same GA-C platform that can found on the Corolla hatchback and sedan, which guarantees a high level of body rigidity and a well-balanced chassis for responsive and agile driving, a comfortable ride as well as superior quietness.
Other features consist of a spacious cabin, easy entry into and exit from the car, and excellent luggage space, as well as a high level of safety equipment which was adopted from the Corolla hatchback and sedan.
Overall
The 2022 Corolla Cross looks like a sure-fire winner. Not only is it a very unique motor innovation for Toyota but it was a very clever idea to give it the Corolla nameplate, Toyota’s best-selling car, which has a total of over 48 million worldwide sales ever since it first launched in Japan in 1966.