It’s safe to say that the Toyota Corolla is still a popular car in the country. However, it’s not the Altis sedan that’s raking in the sales. Instead, it’s the high-riding Cross version that’s raking in the sales. If there’s any more proof that Pinoys love extra ground clearance, it’s this.
Sure, it’s more expensive than the Corolla Altis, but the Corolla Cross’ extra bit of clearance was enough to lure more people towards its SUV-like shape. Safe to say that it’s been a hit for Toyota, but has time been kind to it? Let’s revisit it, shall we?
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Styling
It’s a familiar look by now but what we have here is the range-topping GR-S version. It gets a different set of bumpers compared to the standard model and gets a couple of gloss black highlights to add some visual zing. The GR-S also gets a unique set of wheels and clear taillights to highlight its, um, GR-ness.
The result? It looks sporty enough but it’s not overdone. For something that doesn’t have any sporting intentions, the GR bits attached to the car blend in well with the rather conventional and conservative design. It gives the Corolla Cross the visual zing it needs and, if you ask us, every Corolla Cross should look like this. Okay, maybe the clear taillights divide opinion, but it’s all good for the most part.
Interior
Toyota could’ve easily just stuck on the Corolla Altis’ dash and called it a day. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case as the Corolla Cross has a dashboard and interior that’s truly it’s own. While we wouldn’t it call its outstanding in terms of design, it’s good to see distinction between the two.
But where the Corolla Cross impresses is with cabin materials and build quality. Sure, it’s not Lexus levels, but considering the product’s positioning, one can’t help but appreciate it. Most touch surfaces feel upmarket compared to most of its competitors and give you the impression of a solid cabin.
Of course, people buy crossovers because of the promise of extra space. When it comes to that, the Corolla Cross is a bit of a mixed bag. There’s no issues in front although the old-school foot-operated parking brake eats up foot room in the driver’s side.
However, we were expecting more at the back. Yes, headroom is good, but legroom is tight compared to some of its rivals, some of which are smaller than the Corolla Cross. It does make up for it by having a relatively large cargo area.
Engine performance
We’ll get something out of the way first: It’s not fast. Granted, these kinds of crossovers aren’t meant to be quick or even brisk, but you’ll need to plan ahead when it comes to overtaking. Not that it’s dangerously slow, but we think the electric motor needs to give more kick to assist the gas engine.
Now that we’ve covered that, we’ll discuss the main attraction here: Efficiency. Even though Toyota is still sticking to nickel metal hydride batteries, the Corolla Cross still delivers good fuel economy numbers. Even in heavy traffic, it absolutely refuses to dip below 10km/L. If anything, it hovers around 12.5 to 15km/L in moderate to heavy conditions.
There are a few things worth pointing out. Had its battery capacity had been greater, we might see even better fuel economy ratings. Also, at speeds below 60kph, the hybrid system does its best to rely on battery power most of the time. However, electric range is noticeably less compared to lithium-ion hybrids. Still, we’re not complaining that it gets great gas mileage.
Ride and handling
One might be surprised to know that the Corolla Cross GR-S comes with a different suspension package. The result is a ride that’s a touch firmer than the standard model, but it won’t leave its occupants with backache. However, those coming from the standard model will definitely notice the difference.
Against the standard version, however, it does drive a little bit better. There’s less pitch and sway around the bends and there is an improvement in terms of roadholding. For the daily drive, however, it’s still light and easy to drive, just as anything with a Corolla badge should.
Extra features
We’re glad that the touchscreen received a much-needed upgrade. It finally has features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The best part is, you can still access those smartphone mirroring apps via a good ol’ cable. That said, we’d like a nicer-looking display as the home screen looks a little on the dated side.
For those who frequently drive on the highway, they’ll be pleased to know that Toyota Safety Sense is standard on this model. For a little more convenience, there’s a power tailgate at the back, too.
Verdict
The Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S came away as our Big Test winner in 2023. Quite frankly, it was a shock for us as it was the oldest model in the group. But that’s the thing about the Corolla Cross, it’s not particularly outstanding in most ways, but if you combine all its abilities, it makes perfect sense.
At the time of writing, this top-spec Corolla Cross rings in a P1,844,000. It’s not cheap by any measure, but for those who prefer a global Toyota product instead of a Daihatsu-based model (see: Yaris Cross S HEV), it might just be worth the near P200,000 difference.
To sum up, the Corolla Cross is a jack of all trades and a master of none. The thing is, most people forget the next part of that saying, and that it’s oftentimes better than being a master of one.
SPECS: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S HEV CVT
Price: P1,844,000
Engine: 1.8-liter hybrid
Power: 121hp (total system output)
Torque: 142Nm (engine) / 163Nm (motor)
Transmission: Continuously variable
Layout: FWD
Seating: 5
Score: 8/10
