Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) announced last week it’s all-new and first-ever Corolla Cross — a striking compact-sized crossover that’s an evolution from, as the name implies, the Corolla, Toyota’s bestselling model that has sold over 48 million units in over 150 countries.
Looking at the new car through the videos, photos, and product information that were presented, I couldn’t help but feel younger and, dare I say it, in touch with my feminine side.
That’s because during the online press con held on Toyota’s Corolla Cross microsite, TMP executives pointed out that they expect the new Corolla Cross to appeal more to female buyers, who were anticipated to comprise approximately 53 percent of Corolla Cross buyers. They also expect the median age of the new crossover’s buyers to range from 33 to 45 years old — about a decade younger than me. And I happen to really like the new car.
Other Corolla Cross buyer demographics suggested a large majority as married and with a need to upgrade from a less versatile sedan or to add a second or more environment-friendly car — two aspects that I, at least, fall under.
More than any car company, Toyota seems to know the pulse of its buyers better. Its industry-leading sales numbers and market share underscore that fact. Which is why I’m intrigued that the wise men and women at TMP feel that a little more than half of the Corolla Cross’ buyers are women in their 30s and 40s. But I feel that men would gravitate to the Corolla Cross just as well.
I’ll attempt to explain here why its appeal would be universal.
1. Comfort with confidence
Most car buyers, but especially women, prioritize comfort. Even a growing number of men are starting to prioritize comfort as well, particularly in light of the stressful minutes or even hours we spend in traffic every day. The Corolla Cross, sharing its platform with the supremely comfortable Corolla Altis, was designed to bring that renowned smooth and comfortable sedan ride to a crossover body.
Credit goes to the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), a state-of-the-art structural platform that can be configured differently to suit various Toyota models worldwide and endow them with world-class rigidity, which translates to both riding comfort and safety. It gives the Corolla Cross a truly premium look and feel. Yet another aspect designed to promote comfort is the Corolla Cross’ all-new torsion-beam rear suspension (it shares its front MacPherson strut suspension with the Corolla Altis). The Corolla Cross’ torsion beam suspension, in tandem with larger and softer bushings, has been tuned to blend a cushioned ride with confidence-inspiring handling.
2. Space and versatility
Married women (and men) in their 30s and 40s would need space, be it for groceries and shopping, toddlers with their strollers and nannies, friends or officemates, or even the occasional mountain bikes when they transform into weekend warriors.
TNGA creates not just a surprising amount of cabin space from compact exterior dimensions, it also allows generously sized door and tailgate openings to ease the entry and exit of people and cargo, without structurally weakening the chassis. The split-folding rear seats work with the class-leading cargo space to expand the crossover’s cargo-carrying capacity to accommodate any number of people/cargo combinations.
3. Safety and control
The Corolla Cross carries over the already generous array of safety features from the Corolla Altis. But it’s not just the usual common safety features. The Corolla Cross, like the Corolla Altis, boasts Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), a suite of passive and active smart safety features more often found in high-end luxury cars. For starters, both Corolla Cross variants boast 7 SRS airbags as standard. The flagship Corolla Cross V Hybrid variant adds Blind Spot Monitor (which alerts the driver of cars or adjacent objects during lane-change maneuvers) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (which visually and audibly warns the driver of unseen oncoming perpendicular traffic when backing out of a parking space). Also under TSS are Pre-Collision System (PCS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), and Automatic High Beam (AHB).
All Corolla Cross variants also come with ABS with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Vehicle Stability Control with Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, and 3-point Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) seatbelts for the driver and all passengers. The hybrid variant has two front and four rear clearance sonars, while the G CVT variant has 2 rear sonars, and reverse camera is standard on all variants.
4. Economy and efficiency
Being available as a hybrid (Toyota’s first locally available hybrid crossover), the new Corolla Cross promises to be the most fuel-efficient crossover on the market. The Corolla Cross V Hybrid variant is powered by a 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve Dual VVT-i engine specifically designed for hybrid application. The engine itself delivers 98ps at 5,200 rpm and 142Nm of torque at 3,600 rpm. The electric motor adds its own power for a 122hp total system output. The Hybrid offers three driving modes (Eco, Power, and EV) and delivers power to the front wheels via continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The non-hybrid 1.8 G CVT variant shares the 1,798cc displacement of the hybrid’s internal combustion engine, but tweaked to deliver 140hp at 6,400 rpm and 172Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. It’s also mated to a CVT.
Yet another result of TNGA is a lightweight yet strong body, the lightness delivering the twin benefits of high fuel efficiency and agile performance.
5. Performance and ease of driving
Strong, high-torque engines endow the Corolla Cross with energetic performance, whether overtaking on the expressway or transporting five adults and their cargo for an out-of-town trip.
But it’s not just in sheer engine output that the Corolla Cross shines; it’s also in ease of driving. An elevated driving position and slim window pillars contribute to a wide field of vision for all occupants for a safer and more pleasurable drive. A class-leading minimum turning radius of 5.2 meters and finely tuned suspension give the Corolla Cross excellent maneuverability and handling.
Last but not least, strong, easy-to-modulate brakes abetted by the aforementioned ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control ensure class-leading stopping power and control even in emergency situations.
6. Stylish and functional — inside and out
Looking a bit like a slightly smaller RAV 4 with its aggressive front end and distinctive squarish wheel well openings, the Corolla Cross’ exterior starts strong with its imposing double trapezoid front grille and sleek LED headlamps. Exclusive to the hybrid variant are LED Light Curtain Daytime Running Lights and a subtle blue accent to the bi-beam LED headlamps which complements the hybrid-identifying blue Toyota logo.
Sculpted fender lines give the Corolla Cross visual muscle and a more assertive stance on the road. The high approach angle and ground clearance combine the strong stance with functionality, allowing the vehicle to negotiate steep ramps and inclines without scraping the bumper or underbelly.
Inside, the Corolla Cross gets an elegant yet functional interior which comes in leather for the hybrid variant. The wide and spacious cabin space gives abundant headroom while the slim front seatbacks enable ample legroom for backseat passengers. Slim pillars and rear quarter windows add to the spacious atmosphere and enhances outward visibility. The hybrid variant also has a retractable tonneau cover for the rear cargo area for security.
All Corolla Cross variants feature Smart Entry and Push Start System, auto-fold side mirrors, and speed-sensing door locks, and for the 1.8 V hybrid variant, rain-sensing windshield wipers and 8-way power adjust driver’s seat. Convenient steering wheel switches enable the driver to adjust Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) features and 7” multi-info display for the 1.8 V hybrid, and audio, and phone connectivity features for all variants. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is added to the 1.8 V Hybrid’s infotainment system.
The new Corolla Cross comes in two variants — the P1,285,000 1.8 G CVT and the P1,650,000 1.8 V HV powered by a hybrid drivetrain — and rolls off all Toyota showrooms nationwide on August 26. The Corolla Cross is available in four colors: Metal Stream Metallic, Red Mica Metallic, Attitude Black Mica, and Platinum White Pearl Mica (the latter with a P15,000 premium).
