- toyota showed a new small crossover model called the corolla cross.
- it's larger than the c-hr and smaller than the rav4 and offers a hybrid drivetrain.
- toyota hasn't announced whether or not it's coming to the u.s., but the company trademarked the corolla cross name in america.
the venerable toyota corolla has sprouted an suv variant in the form of this new model called the corolla cross. it's going on sale first in thailand, but we think this small suv will eventually come to the u.s. given that toyota has already filed for a trademark on the corolla cross name in america.
the corolla cross has the same 103.9-inch wheelbase as the c-hr but it s a few inches longer, wider and taller than that subcompact model. it's also several inches longer, wider, and taller than the corolla hatchback. the corolla cross would slot in between the c-hr and the rav4 in toyota's u.s. crossover lineup; other automakers such as kia, nissan, and offer several similarly sized suvs that span these segments, so it wouldn't be a surprising move from toyota.
powering the global version of the corolla cross is a standard 1.8-liter inline-four with 138 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque, mated to a cvt and front-wheel drive. this is the same powertrain used in the base corolla sedan and the c-hr in the u.s. the corolla cross's hybrid drivetrain is also shared with the corolla hybrid sedan, a 1.8-liter paired with electric motors to make a combined 121 horsepower. if the corolla cross does come to the u.s., we'd guess it might also offer the more powerful 169-hp 2.0-liter inline-four offered in some versions of the corolla sedan and hatchback.
stay tuned for more news to come on the toyota corolla cross and its possible entry into the u.s. market.