Overview Given the Corolla’s near-legendary status for value and the popularity of SUVs, we’re puzzled that it took Toyota so long to introduce the Corolla Cross subcompact SUV. Smaller than the RAV4, it’s essentially a Corolla for an SUV world: inexpensive, thrifty with fuel, and inoffensively styled. Importantly, it also provides extra room for people and their stuff. Though its 169-hp four-cylinder engine and continuously variable automatic transmission can be unenthusiastic, there’s also a hybrid version, which we review separately, that offers extra pep. Its 24 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row, more room than you’ll find in the Corolla sedan or hatchback, is the Cross’s real ace in the hole.What’s New for 2026?The Corolla Cross gets a new chunkier grille pattern and adds Cavalry Blue to the exterior color palette. A new console design and available 10.5-inch infotainment touchscreen freshen up the interior. The XLE trim gets a new 18-inch wheel design rendered in a dark gray finish, and a cold weather package (heated steering wheel and heated front seats) now comes standard on all-wheel-drive models. Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price of the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross is expected to start around $26,000 and go up to $30,000 depending on the trim and options.L$26,000 (est)LE$28,000 (est)XLE$30,000 (est)We rarely recommend the top-spec trim, but the XLE model is the one that offers the equipment that many SUV buyers are looking for, including a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and handsome 18-inch aluminum wheels.Engine, Transmission, and Performance Corolla Cross buyers have a choice of traditional gasoline or hybrid powertrain, but this review pertains solely to the former. This version uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated for 169 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque that it passes to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT); front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available as an option. Most drivers will find this power adequate at best. When pushed hard, the engine tends to get coarse and buzzy, but it never gets the Cross moving quickly. The Corolla Cross’s ride is affable, though, so buyers seeking comfort should be satisfied.0–60-MPH TimesIn our testing, an all-wheel-drive Corolla Cross accelerated to 60 mph in a, hey-we’ll-get-there-sooner-or-later 9.2 seconds. If it’s any consolation, the Honda HR-V, the Toyota’s chief rival, is two-tenths of a second slower to 60. As a side note, the 2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid hit 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, and you can find that review here.More on the Corolla Cross SUVFuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn’t released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Corolla Cross yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 31 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 32 mpg combined. Selecting all-wheel drive subtracts 2 mpg across the board. The Corolla Cross all-wheel drive returned 30 mpg in our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, missing its EPA estimate by 1 mpg. For more information about the Corolla Cross’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.Interior, Comfort, and CargoIf you like the Corolla sedan or hatchback, you’ll like the Corolla Cross’s interior. The cabin materials, layout, tech, and convenience features employed in the Cross are nearly identical. Though the Corolla Cross offers slightly more rear-seat room than the Corolla hatchback—it’s about the same as the sedan, though—it ups cargo room by over 12 cubic feet. Lower trims are basic inside, but the XLE model comes with nice-looking faux-leather upholstery, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and a flip-down center armrest for rear-seat passengers.The Car and Driver DifferenceInfotainment and ConnectivityAn 8.0-inch infotainment screen running the latest Toyota software and a six-speaker audio system are standard. For 2026, the XLE gets a new 10.5-inch screen as standard; it’s available on the LE as part of the Multimedia option package. The instrument panel has a 4.2-inch display, but the top trim gets a larger 7.0-inch display. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio all make the standard equipment list, and wireless charging and rear-seat USB-C ports are now standard on the LE and XLE. Audio lovers can select a JBL Premium audio system with a subwoofer on the top two trims.How to Buy and Maintain a CarSafety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesThe Toyota Corolla Cross features a bevy of standard safety and driver assistance features on all models, including adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, road sign assist, and auto high-beams. For more information about the Corolla Cross’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with accident avoidance system
- Standard adaptive cruise
Warranty and Maintenance CoverageThe Toyota Corolla Cross includes a fairly basic standard warranty package, but the company throws in two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance to sweeten the deal. Rivals such as the Kia Seltos or the Hyundai Kona may offer more value for high-mileage drivers with their 100,000-mile policies.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles
SpecificationsSpecifications
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE AWD*
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $28,840/$32,170
Options: JBL speakers, $1465; Convenience package, $1250; adaptive headlights, $615
ENGINE
DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle inline-4, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 121 in3, 1987 cm3
Power: 169 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque: 150 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic with 1 fixed ratio
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.0-in vented disc/11.1-in disc
Tires: Goodyear Assurance Finesse
225/55R-18 98V M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 103.9 in
Length: 175.6 in
Width: 71.9 in
Height: 64.8 in
Passenger Volume: 89 ft3
Cargo Volume: 24 ft3
Curb Weight: 3384 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 9.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 17.0 sec @ 83 mph
110 mph: 39.9 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 9.6 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.0 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 120 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 172 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.80 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY (AWD with 17-in wheels)
75-mph Highway Driving: 30 mpg
Highway Range: 390 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 30/29/32 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
* Test results and specs apply to current model year.
Source: caranddriver.com
