TOYOTA Corolla Cross Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Toyota introduced the Corolla Cross in 2023, filling the gap between the smaller Yaris Cross and the famous Rav4 SUV.

Customers' desire for more crossovers and SUVs was the one that made most automakers create either new or upgraded versions for vehicles that could fall into these segments. Toyota was already experienced in creating such cars and noticed that even its smallest crossover, the Yaris Cross, was well-received by the market. So they tried to apply the same recipe to the Corolla lineup by introducing the Corolla Cross in 2023.

From a standpoint, the vehicle looked like it was a shrunk Rav4. Its wide and narrow headlights flanked the oversized A-shaped grille adorned the front fascia. Its bumper formed another wide A-shape on the lower side and included the fog lights. From its sides, the Corolla Cross revealed the black trims around the wheel arches with matching rocker panels. Finally, at the back, the car received a silver shield under the black bumper and a roof spoiler at the top of the raked-forward tailgate.

Inside, Toyota installed a similar design as the rest of the Corolla range, with a floating 10.5" touchscreen placed atop the center stack and just a few buttons for the climate control unit. Another screen filled the instrument cluster and offered a few personalization options for the driver. The Japanese automaker also added some luxury touches and provided the car with an option for man-made leather upholstery. Beside the front seats, the Corolla Cross featured a bench in the back for three adult-sized passengers.

Under the skin, the Corolla Cross featured the same TNGA platform fitted with a front- or an all-wheel drive system. In addition, all versions received the already famous e-CVT gearbox.

Toyota unveiled the first generation of the Rav4 SUV in 1994, and it was built on the same platform with the Corolla. In 2020, the Japanese car-maker introduced a new crossover based on the Corolla: the Corolla Cross.

By 2020, the Corolla was the most successful Toyota ever built. It was sold in over 48 million units since 1966 in over 150 countries around the world. The Japanese car-maker decided to use the well-known nameplate and added the Cross after it. The new model was unveiled in Thailand in July 2020.

Toyota built the Corolla based on the TNGA*1 platform (GA-C), which helped the car-maker upgrade it with new bodywork. The same platform was used for the C-HR model, but while the CH-R featured a sportier look with a hatch-back style, the Corolla Cross offered a more conventional, SUV-like profile. The car's front side looked aggressive, with narrow headlights and a massive grille that was complemented by the black apron and a silver shield. The sculptured panel doors and the widened rear quarter panels confirmed the rugged styling. In the back, the designers decided to install a roof spoiler on top of the tailgate.

Corolla Cross offered up to five seats inside and promised a more significant headroom for the rear passengers. Since the car featured the same wheelbase as the C-HR, the legroom was the same. For the instrument panel, the Corolla Cross took more elements from the regular compact sibling. A floating-type infotainment unit was installed on top of the center stack. The instrument cluster featured the same analog dials as the Corolla.

Under the hood, the Corolla Cross offered a 1.8-liter engine or a Hybrid system carried-over from the C-HR. Both versions were mated to a CVT transmission. Toyota offered the Corolla Cross as a front-wheel-drive only.