Half a century in the past, automakers usually made a number of totally different sizes of sedans. At the moment, as SUVs and crossovers have taken over our roads, automakers are doing the identical factor. For instance, what if somebody owns a Toyota C-HR and is prepared for one thing a bit larger? The RAV4 may look like the plain selection, however what if that feels too massive?
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Since 2021, the reply has been this: the Corolla Cross, a car that matches completely between the opposite two. It rests on this Goldilocks zone whereas nonetheless leveraging the TNGA-C platform that underpins the C-HR. Now, for 2026, it’s getting some important upgrades worthy of consideration.
To learn how good this on a regular basis crossover is, we traveled to Sonoma, California, to strive it out in fuel and hybrid flavors. There, we drove it on the street and off-road. Ultimately, the end result wasn’t all that shocking. Toyota might’ve referred to as this the RAV4 Jr., and it could’ve been simply as becoming.
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Styling
Exterior design is one place the place the 2026 Corolla Cross begins to distinguish itself from previous variations. The entrance fascia is totally different for each fuel and hybrid fashions. Actually, it makes telling the 2 aside fairly easy. The gas-burning Corolla Cross will get a considerably blocky grille with giant hexagonal vents on the higher part. Toyota says it’s a “daring, rugged design that’s constructed to face out.” Cool.
Extra: Even Toyota Thinks Their Small SUV Seems to be Too Boring
On the flip facet, the hybrid Corolla Cross will get a grille that appears prefer it got here straight off a Lexus RX. In the beginning, it’s color-matched to whichever paint shade a purchaser picks. Second, it options an interwoven, virtually basket-like look that blends into strong edges with extra aggressive facet intakes than you’ll see on the fuel Corolla Cross.
In individual, each look trendy, smooth, and refined. Will they stand out within the gigantic inhabitants of SUVs and crossovers on sale at this time? In all probability not, however we respect Toyota at the least having a little bit of enjoyable and making every one distinctive to the diploma it did. On prime of those adjustments, Toyota can be including a brand new Calvary Blue paint shade for 2026 and a two-tone choice with Calvary Blue and Jet Black. They give the impression of being nice beneath the California solar.
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Inside High quality
The Corolla Cross shines brightest in its cabin. One of many issues that made the RAV4 the automobile that it’s at this time was its mixture of practicality, inside house, and high quality. The Corolla Cross follows that recipe with a cabin design that could be very mature. The seats within the XLE and XSE are very good for the category. The previous will get fake leather-based upholstery that we anticipate consumers will actually like. The latter will get a mix of fake leather-based and blue-stitched cloth that appears very engaging. Each are very comfy, supportive, and adjustable, although take into account that power-adjustment isn’t obtainable throughout the vary.
The sprint is angular with refined mushy edges. The decrease part is mushy contact, as is the higher part of the door playing cards. The steering wheel isn’t as elegant-looking, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel overly low-cost. The switchgear there and on the middle console feels good to make use of. Toyota equips this automobile with bodily buttons for the local weather management and for frequently-used settings like heated seats, drive modes, and extra.
If there’s any miss in any respect relating to switchgear, it’s the amount buttons. That’s proper, overlook knobs, you’ll flip your quantity up and down with buttons solely. As well as, there’s an fascinating technical glitch.
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Let’s say you’re listening to music or an audiobook, and a voice memo from a buddy is available in. Do you have to go to take heed to that message after which resolve that that you must flip the amount up or down, the audiobook or music you’re listening to will come again on whereas the message performs. Customary Android Auto and Apple CarPlay add just a little extra flexibility and configurability. The elective JBL sound system is good, too. It’s not as full or crisp as we’d like, however that is an economic system automobile in the long run.
Regardless of that, the rear seats are spacious and effectively contoured. Occupants again there don’t get a lot in the best way of facilities, however house itself is a luxurious, and there’s loads of it, even for taller of us. XSE and XLE consumers additionally get a folding armrest with cupholders. Behind the second row, consumers will discover as much as 24 cubic toes of cargo house. Below the ground lies a space-saver spare wheel and tire with the instruments wanted to swap it.
Drive Impressions
On the street, the Corolla Cross is about as predictable because it will get, however let’s speak specs first. Two issues that aren’t altering for 2026 are the powertrain choices for the Corolla Cross. Gasoline-burning variations get a four-cylinder engine that makes 169 hp (126 kW). It sends that energy by a constantly variable transmission to the entrance wheels until the customer specifies all-wheel drive. Notably, Toyota features a actual first gear that helps the Corolla Cross really feel extra spry from a lifeless cease. Toyota estimates it’ll get 32 mpg mixed. We achieved 28.3.
Learn: GR Constructed The Corolla Cross You Needed However Determined You Don’t Deserve It
The hybrid additionally makes use of a four-cylinder engine however pairs it with a small battery and a trio of motors to supply a system output of 196 hp (146 kW). Notably, the Corolla Cross hybrid comes customary with all-wheel drive. Toyota says that it could rise up to 42 mpg mixed beneath the correct circumstances. Driving it at Sonoma isn’t what we’d name the ‘proper circumstances’ as we struggled to realize 38 mpg in our testing. Precise house owners will possible haven’t any subject.
From behind the wheel, these crossovers really feel very related, as they need to. The fuel mannequin is decidedly much less partaking, and, curiously, the tire noise is louder. The hybrid quiets that noise down and will get a wholesome increase of energy, however don’t anticipate something genuinely thrilling.
Toyota admits that it’ll take house owners 8 full seconds to go from 0-60 mph. Having tried it, I consider that determine. And people who strive it for themselves will expertise the engine drone solely a CVT can present.
Think about loading this factor up with tenting gear and folks, as Toyota recommended shoppers do. It might be significantly slower, and that’s to say nothing of the gas-only model, which is perhaps able to going from 0-60 mph in a contact over 9 seconds. Once more, that’s with no passengers and no cargo, which is type of all the level of getting a crossover. That every one stated, the remainder of the driving expertise is completely pedestrian.
The steering is communicative, the pedals are likewise, and whereas there may be noticeable physique roll when pushed exhausting, most individuals will in all probability like the best way this automobile strikes by the world. It soaks up bumps effectively. Visibility is sweet, too, which got here in helpful once we took the Corolla Cross off-road. Toyota arrange a campsite on one of many foothills surrounding Sonoma Raceway.
Climbing up there required some journey on a really mushy filth street with a few semi-steep pitches. Understand that principally any automobile with even just a little greater than common floor clearance might have made this climb. That stated, the Corolla Cross did an admirable job with out faltering even as soon as. As well as, those that go for the gas-only model can rise up to a 1,500-lb towing capability.
Pricing And Trims
Toyota affords the Corolla Cross in three trims primarily based on its powerplant. The gas-only model is available in L, LE, and XLE trims. The hybrid is available in S, SE, and XSE trims. The underside two trims for every model get material upholstery, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, an 8-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, LED tail lights, and LED headlights. Higher trims get 18-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, LED fog lights, dual-zone local weather management, a tonneau cowl, and extra. All Corolla Crosses get Toyota Security Sense 3.0.
Gasoline fashions begin at $24,635 earlier than a $1,495 vacation spot and dealing with charge. Those that go for the absolutely loaded XLE pays over $35,000, which appears fairly steep, however we’ll circle again to that. Hybrids start at $28,995 and prime out slightly below $38,000; nonetheless, that’s an honest worth contemplating it will get all-wheel drive as customary and might obtain as much as 42 mpg.
Competitors
For these shopping for up the low-end grades of the Corolla Cross, the L and S, this SUV is a genuinely strong worth. For instance, we actually just like the Chevrolet Trax as a result of it’s well-equipped and maxes out at round $27,800. For that very same cash, consumers can get a bigger, extra comfy, hybrid Corolla Cross with customary all-wheel drive, much more energy, and much better gasoline economic system. As the value goes greater, the competitors begins to get more durable for Toyota.
For instance, anybody keen to spend $35,000 on the gas-only Corolla Cross has numerous very tempting choices. The Honda HR-V is a really related and sensible choice. The Kia Seltos affords much better guarantee protection and snazzier appears to be like. The Mazda CX-30 is the motive force’s selection. And let’s not overlook that the upcoming all-new RAV4 comes customary as a hybrid and can possible begin round $35,000. It’ll have much more house, extra energy, and it’ll get greater than 32 mpg mixed.
Remaining Ideas
In case you squint just a little, the 2026 Corolla Cross begins to really feel much less like a giant member of the Corolla household and extra like a throwback to the RAV4’s glory days. Bear in mind when the first-gen RAV4 was a tidy, car-like crossover that delivered big-car practicality with out big-car bloat?
That’s precisely the lane the Corolla Cross is operating in. It affords the sort of dimension, consolation, and cargo house that will’ve worn a RAV4 badge not too way back, and it does it with Toyota’s trademark mix of bulletproof construct high quality and smart pricing, at the least within the decrease trims.
That’s to not say the Corolla Cross is ideal. The fuel model is slower than a RAV4 ever was, and tire noise will remind you you’re not in a Lexus. However the hybrid smooths issues out, bumps the facility, and delivers economic system numbers that even the present RAV4 Hybrid can’t ignore. For lots of consumers, that’s going to really feel just like the candy spot… simply sufficient SUV to deal with a Costco run, with out the dimensions or value of the 2026 RAV4.
Name it a Corolla if you’d like, however the Corolla Cross is carrying the RAV4 torch for a brand new technology of crossover buyers. In a world the place each mannequin appears to develop a dimension up each few years, Toyota’s latest “little massive” SUV proves that generally, the center actually is excellent.
