2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos review (video)

The Corolla marque is synonymous with sensible reliability. But not even it can win the battle for sales as motorists shift to SUVs.

According to VFACTS, 2023 year-to-date sales across the small car market under $40k has slumped by 21 per cent compared with January-to-September in 2022. But Toyota is not silly to let such a reputable model disappear. So, it has expanded the Corolla family to create the Corolla Cross small SUV.

Slotting between the Yaris Cross and the RAV4 in size, the Corolla Cross competes against the likes of the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Mitsubishi ASX and Eclipse Cross, and the Volkswagen T-Roc. But how does this latest addition to the Corolla family stack up in this busy market? Let’s have a look.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD: Specifications

Engine: 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder hybrid
Output (combined): 146kW
Transmission: CVT auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F: 18×7.0, 225/50
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 1525kg
Power-to-weight: 10.44:1 (kg:kW)
Official fuel economy: 4.4L/100km
Economy during test: 5.1L/100km
Fuel capacity/Type: 43L/91 RON
Power efficiency: 33.18kW:L/100km

0-60km/h: 3.71 seconds*
0-100km/h: 8.26 seconds*
60-110km/h: 5.95 seconds*
1/4 mile: 16.02 seconds at 141.2km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.738g*
100-0km/h braking: 3.20 seconds at 40.71 metres*
Max deceleration: -1.271g*
Decibel at idle (on standby): 25*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 79*
Starting price: $50,030

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD: How much does it cost?

You can pick up a Corolla Cross in eight combinations of trims and powertrains. You have the GX, GXL, and the range-topping Atmos grades. Then you can select from front-wheel drive petrol-only engine, or front-wheel drive hybrid, or an all-wheel drive hybrid. You can choose all powertrains in all trims except for the AWD hybrid, which is not offered in the base GX. All options pair to a constantly variable (CVT) auto transmission.

Prices commence at $33,980 for the all-petrol GX, and peak at $50,030 for the Atmos hybrid AWD that we’re testing here (excluding on-road costs). The base Corolla is about $3800 cheaper than the base Corolla Cross, and the top-spec Corolla ZR hybrid sedan is about $6700 cheaper than the Corolla Cross Atmos hybrid FWD (or $9770 compared with the AWD Atmos).

Among its tough competition, the Corolla Cross’s starting price sits $2k higher than the new Hyundai Kona base spec, $7500 higher than the base Mitsubishi ASX auto, $4500 higher than the base Kia Seltos, but $2k cheaper than the most affordable Volkswagen T-Roc. It’s also $2800 cheaper than the base Honda HR-V.

However, the top-spec Atmos is more expensive than all top-spec variants of the competition above, except the performance T-Roc R model. In other words, it can be expensive in its class, dependant on the variant.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD: Interior & packaging

Corolla by name is Corolla by design for the Corolla Cross. The exterior styling is modern, but still conservative. There are no futuristic shapes or flashy lights that merge into a single unit. Just a sensible, conformist appearance. And that is exactly what Corolla buyers go for.

At 4460mm, overall length is 140mm shorter than the larger RAV4 sibling; and width is only 30mm narrower. So the cabin is rather spacious for a small SUV. A 185mm height increase over the standard Corolla also goes a long way to make the cabin feel roomier for both front and rear passengers.

The rear seats offer a decent amount of legroom, making it suitable for long journeys or carting around your mates – especially with the inclusion of rear air vents. However, up front, the centre area between the seats could have been designed more practically in our view. There are two cup holders, a centre console, and a narrow storage area. It could do with more crevices for storing everyday items.

Interior materials used don’t have a lot of elegance about them, but they feel hard-wearing and are oriented towards practicality over style. The interior design is also basic in our opinion, but that is more acceptable as ease-of-use and navigating the layout is at the front of the class. You don’t need to spend any time familiarising yourself with the space before driving. This is how Toyota wins new buyers and keeps them for the long haul.

For higher spec models, it’s great to see the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster have been upgraded with crisper, higher resolution graphics. Let’s hope they flow through to all variants quickly. GXL and Atmos variants score a 10.5-inch centre touch-screen with sat-nav, digital radio, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Atmos adds a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster with clean graphics and a concise layout.

Further to the rear and a generously-sized cargo area awaits. There are five different volumes depending on which variant you choose, but it ranges from 436 litres in the base GX 2WD petrol, and decreases to 380 litres by the time you get to the top-spec Atmos AWD hybrid. A less slanted rear than the C-HR means more luggage can stack higher.

Against the competition, the Atmos AWD hybrid’s boot volume is bigger than the Honda HR-V hybrid’s and the Mitsubishi ASX’s. But it measures smaller than the Hyundai Kona, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Volkswagen T-Roc, and Kia Seltos – though, they are not hybrids.

All Corolla Cross models receive as standard LED lights, daytime running lights, 17-inch alloys, a temporary 17-inch spare wheel, power-fold and heated exterior mirrors, a pre-collision safety system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, active cruise control with curve speed reduction, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane trace alert with steering assist, lane change assist with deceleration assist, speed sign assist, auto high beam, blind-spot monitor with safe exit assist, rear cross-traffic alert, auto climate control, and smart entry and start.

GXL’s gain front fog lights, high-grade LED headlamps, sequential turn signals, an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, leather-accented seats, shift knob, and steering wheel, a panoramic view monitor, dual-zone climate control, and that upgraded infotainment.

Atmos trims pick up 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic moonroof, a power tailgate with kick sensor, 8-way powered driver’s seat, park assist, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats and steering wheel, a wireless phone charger, and that 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD: Powertrain & handling

Delving into the hybrid powertrain with all-wheel drive – or as Toyota calls it, ‘eFour’ – it has some impressive credentials. Especially for something with the Corolla label on it. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with no turbo outputs 112kW and 190Nm on its own. Then a permanent synchronous magnet motor powers the front wheels with 83kW and 206Nm. Another electric motor powers the rear wheels with up to 30kW. All of these power sources offer a combined output of 146kW.

Behind the wheel, that translates to a zippy SUV that rolls up to speed with pep. Thanks to the onslaught of instant torque from the electric side, the everyday ask of getting from 0km/h to 60km/h in traffic happens fast and without feeling like the powertrain is being pushed. When you want to go harder, the engine starts to sound breathless and struggled. And the increased rate of acceleration is not equal to the drama. Still, the official acceleration test is decent, at 7.6 seconds from 0-100km/h. Our testing revealed a time of 8.26 seconds.

A 4.08Ah lithium-ion battery keeps the electric motors ticking over. They are charged via regenerative braking and the petrol engine. There is no option to plug in the Corolla Cross to charge. Transition of power from the different sources is as seamless as they come – aside from the noise of the engine, you get a smooth shift every time. This is also helped by the use of a constantly variable auto gearbox. Although it contributes to that lacklustre sound when revved, it also delivers jerk-free acceleration.

One of the most impressive aspects of the Corolla Cross hybrid AWD is its low fuel usage. The official average is a remarkable 4.4L/100km. Let’s not forget that all four wheels are being powered, it is not a plug-in hybrid, and you get 146kW of power. Even our harsher testing over 450km revealed an average of 5.1L/100km.

To help lower costs further, you can feed it cheaper 91 RON fuel. Unlike full combustion-powered vehicles, the hybrid setup produces better economy at slower, city speeds than highway speeds. If you plan to do lots of long-distance travel, expect a slightly higher average.

Turning to the ride, the suspension is typically soft, biasing comfort over cornering agility. It soaks up bumps excellently, though. Interestingly, AWD models score the more expensive rear multilink suspension. Front-wheel drive models use torsion beam at the back.

To add to the effortless and somewhat vanilla drive experience, the steering is fairly light but surprisingly engaging, and it offers a decent turning circle of 5.6 metres.

The Corolla Cross will take on light dirt road duties, but nothing more. It presents 160mm of ground clearance and wears road-oriented Michelin Primacy tyres. There are no off-road driving modes to select from either. In saying that, not many SUVs in this class are focused on off-road performance.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD: Key attractions/reasons to buy

Be assured of class-leading fuel consumption on paper and in real-world driving conditions. It’s great to see this doesn’t come at a power loss, rather a power gain over the all-petrol configuration.

The Corolla heritage of reliability, ease-of-use, and fuss-free motoring carries over to the Corolla Cross, with the added advantage of practicality over the hatch and sedan. Being slightly higher off the ground, and with a taller interior and boot, only makes the Corolla formula stronger.

We are impressed by the vast improvements to the high-resolution centre screen and digital instrument cluster compared with outgoing Toyota models. Gone are the chunky graphics and in comes bright, crisp, and intuitive menu layouts.

Toyota offers a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, and an additional two years coverage for the engine, hybrid system (10 years on the battery), and driveline if the vehicle is serviced as per the service book. Servicing intervals are required every 15,000km or 12 months, and servicing costs are capped at $250 for the first five services if completed at a Toyota dealer.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD: Key considerations before you buy

Even when you consider the low fuel usage, the reputable Corolla branding and the added luxuries, this top-spec model is expensive. Among its popular competitors, it is the most expensive. In that sense, we’d suggest checking out the mid-level GXL with the same powertrain layout.

There is an abundance of power on offer, but the execution of the power does not spark any thrills. The engine sounds shrill and monotoned when pushed, and its athletics around corners are good but won’t excite. This will be fine for most Corolla Cross buyers. However, it would be nice to see a bit more pizazz for us driving enthusiasts – perhaps a GR Sport variant?

Aside from the digital screens, we have seen more elegant interiors from vehicles with lower starting prices in this segment. But again, overuse of the same shade of grey, hard plastics, and blander designs will be just fine for those who want a reliable, easy to navigate, small SUV. Wireless Apple CarPlay is available, but there is no wireless Android Auto.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD: Video