MOTORING REVIEW: Corolla Cross is a spacious and frugal family car

TOYOTA'S Corolla model is available as a saloon, hatchback or Sports Tourer estate. In recent times a Cross version has been added to the mix which is a crossover SUV. All are offered as self-charging hybrid electrics. 

My most recent press car was the new 1.8 Corolla Cross which joined the more expensive and more powerful 2.0 version making the model more affordable to a wider range of customers. This robust, mid-sized SUV five-seater is a stylish and practical option for growing families offering comparatively low-cost driving. With a 2640mm wheelbase, it slots in between the Yaris Cross and bigger RAV4 SUV in the brand’s line-up. 

As it is a high car, getting in and out is easy and the car’s height also allows for good visibility. Light filters into the cabin via the panoramic sunroof and also from the amount of window glass. However, I found the very big side mirrors, fixed way out from the doors, reach so high that they blocked some of my vision of cars coming from my right when approaching roundabouts or in busy car parks. It necessitated me having to raise my driver’s seat more than was comfortable for my height. Side mirrors have very good blind spot detection.

The cabin is well appointed, the dash stylish and modern with good basic easy-to-use features. Mid dash, is the 10.5-inch central multimedia infotainment touchscreen with very nice high-definition graphics. It features 3D navigation, can receive messages, podcasts and audio books, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity as well as a Toyota Smart Connect package. Below are volume controls and actual knobs for the climate control. 

The 12.3-inch instrument cluster shows your digital current speed, the hybrid charge EV, Eco and Power source and your EV driving ratio. The gear shifter on the central console flat includes a ‘B’ mode for better brake energy regeneration. There are buttons for the EV mode and Drive Mode switch of Normal, Eco and Power. There’s also a mobile phone charger and USB port.

Storage areas are a decent glovebox, and good sized front door bins, and space below the narrowish front armrest with a 12-volt socket. 

Seats in my top grade spec were very comfy and looked well in a mix of imitation leather and fabric. Front ones could be heated. My driver’s seat had a power lumbar support function, but otherwise manual seat adjustments. The rear will fit three adults who will enjoy very good head room and decent leg space. The transmission tunnel is not very high so the person in the middle seat has enough foot room. That seat back lowers to reveal a wide armrest with two cup holders. There are no knee indents on the front seat backs, nor pockets in which to hold stuff. A cupholder is built into each rear doors when three sit in the back, but there are no rear door bins. You do get two small C-type USB ports. 

My car came with a high opening power tailgate. Boot space is a decent 390 litres which can be extended to 1337 litres with the rear seats folded down. The boot is easy to pack with its high load level and wide boot opening and full marks to Toyota for providing a temporary spare wheel.  

Grades are Luna, Sport and Sol. The entry grade gets MyT Connected Services, dual-zone climate control, 17-inch silver alloy wheels, front-to-front Oncoming Car and Motorbike detection on pre-collision system, an excellent rear view camera. The T-Mate function combines the latest generation Toyota Safety Sense package with other active driving and parking assistance systems. 

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Hybrids combine a petrol engine with an electric motor powered by a battery which the car charges itself. Total maximum power output in my car was 140hp. All Toyota hybrids come with automatic transmission. In this case an e-CVT/2WD. Toyota say a hybrid can drive in electric mode for up to 62pc of your journey and can switch to all-electric driving whenever possible, according to the driving conditions and driver inputs. On a particular 60km drive over country roads and motorways, the car drove in EV mode for 44pc of the journey. The car’s history also showed a previous best fuel consumption of 6.1 L/100kms; the official figure is a WLTP rated 5.1 L/100kms. While the hybrid system works best for urban driving, this hybrid can be driven in EV mode in speeds of up to 120km/h making it also ideal for motorway driving.

An everyday practical car that won’t break the bank. The entry level is priced from €38,380-€43,750; my 1.8L Sol grade from €43,750.