2021 Toyota Corolla Cross Revealed, To Go On Sale In Thailand

The 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross is proof that manufacturers will do anything, including using their most popular monikers, to capitalise on the demand for SUVs.

After selling over 4.8 crore Corollas globally, the Japanese auto giant has decided that it is best to use the Corolla moniker on an SUV.

Unveiled in Thailand only, the Corolla Cross has more similarities to the RAV4 than it does with the Corolla. However, the design is minimalist with fewer creases than we have come to expect from Toyota.

The headlamps with DRLs remind one of Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan that is sold overseas, while the grille is blacked out. Fog lamps sit next to the lower air dam.

The wheel arches are pronounced with plastic cladding. The same treatment has been given for the side skirts and the rear bumper, keeping utility in mind.

Roof rails are also on offer, while the taillights are split by the boot lid that also incorporates a spoiler.

There are 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels on offer with the Corolla Cross, while suspension duties are taken care of by MacPherson strut at the front and torsion-beam at the rear. Disc brakes are present at all four corners.

The interior of the crossover has similarities to the Corolla. The large touchscreen that stands proud has air-con control beneath it.

The driver’s instrument cluster is digital and has blue accents. The rear passengers get their own AC vent, while the boot is large enough to hold whatever one might throw at it.

The SUV uses the Toyota New Global Architecture C (TGNA-C) platform. Toyota is known for its build quality, so we can expect the car to be built to last a lifetime.

The new Toyota Corolla Cross will be sold in both hybrid and petrol forms in Thailand and there is no manual variant.

The hybrid comes with a 1.8-litre petrol motor that produces 98 HP and 142 Nm of torque, which is combined with an electric motor that delivers 72 HP and 163 Nm of torque.

The petrol only entry-level models have the same 1.8-litre petrol engine like the hybrid. But power and torque produced is more, at 140 HP and 175 Nm, respectively.

The Toyota Corolla Cross is front-wheel driven and both hybrid and petrol-only models come only with a CVT.

Toyota has stated that sales will commence in Thailand this very month, while the SUV will find its way to other markets soon.

We do not know if at all the SUV will be launched here since Toyota is tight-lipped so far. If it is launched, the Corolla Cross will face heavy competition to say the least.