Spending time with the Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XR HEV is somewhat like attending to know the reliable buddy who at all times reveals up on time, remembers your birthday, and by no means complains – even when the highway will get somewhat tough.
The Corolla Cross has a good-looking and purposeful stance. It shares styling DNA with the bigger RAV4, however it’s barely extra compact. The daring grille, smooth LED headlights, and muscular arches lend it a way of being extra fashionable. This XR HEV mannequin sits close to the high quality and advantages from fashionable alloy wheels, chrome detailing, and delicate hybrid badging that hints at its petrol-electric powertrain.
Under the bonnet lies a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electrical motor and a small lithium-ion battery. The energy is distributed to the entrance wheels through a constantly variable transmission (CVT), which prioritises smoothness and effectivity.
Driving the Corolla Cross 1.8 XR HEV is a soothing affair. Around city, it drives alongside quietly, typically working purely on electrical energy at low speeds. The hybrid system switches between petrol and electrical propulsion all through the drive.
On the open highway, the Corolla Cross consists and predictable. The steering is mild and correct, and the suspension strikes a satisfying stability between consolation and management. It offers nicely with highway imperfections and feels planted in corners. The drive gives a a way of refinement that’s uncommon on this worth bracket, and that makes longer journeys way more fulfilling than one would possibly anticipate.
The gas economic system is the place the hybrid system actually shines. During the evaluate interval, the Corolla Cross constantly returned figures of 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres in blended driving situations – a powerful feat for a family-sized SUV.
Inside, the XR trim degree brings a beneficiant serving to of options. The cabin is fashionable and well-built, with high quality supplies on key surfaces and stable ergonomics all through. The digital instrument cluster and central touchscreen are crisp and straightforward to navigate, with Android Auto included. However, a cable is required to hook up with Android Auto, which got here as a shock to me in a automobile with a lot tech. Dual-zone local weather management, a wi-fi charging pad, and a complete suite of driver help options improve the day by day driving expertise.
The rear seats supply adequate head- and legroom for grownup passengers, and the boot is greater than able to dealing with weekend baggage or the weekly store. Folding down the rear seats creates a flat load space, which provides to the car’s practicality.
*Pricing for the Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XR HEV begins at R501,500.
* Sheryl Goldstuck is common supervisor of World Wide Worx and editor of GadgetWheels. Follow her on Bluesky on @crazycatbuzz.bsky.social.