Toyota is set to debut an all-new compact SUV – heavily rumoured to be the Toyota Corolla Cross – this Thursday (9th July), as confirmed by a brief announcement video posted on the Toyota Thailand YouTube channel.
Aside from a catchy slogan, virtually nothing else was revealed by Toyota. Hence, we’ve scoured the internet gathering some additional information to give you a brief idea of what to expect this Thursday. However, as is usual, pre-launch unverified information should always be taken with a pinch of salt.
Most internet sources suggests that the upcoming compact crossover will be built on the brand’s highly-praised TNGA platform – more specifically the TNGA-C, which is also used in the all-new Toyota Corolla. In terms of size, the rumoured Corolla Cross will likely line up against the Honda HR-V, Subaru XV, and Mazda CX-30 – a space previously occupied by the Toyota C-HR.
While some sources claim that the upcoming compact crossover will essentially replace the Toyota C-HR, we think that it is more likely that the Corolla Cross will be marketed as a more “traditional” alternative to the coupe-like styling of the C-HR – much like what BMW does with the X1 and X2.
Spy shots seem to suggest a heavy influence from the Toyota RAV4, featuring more striking and angular shapes across the exterior, including the snazzy almost-square-like wheel arches.
Keen readers will also notice that the launch schedule coincides with the “all-new crossover” entry on the leaked Toyota timeline that we previously published for the upcoming GT86 (or GR86, which it will be apparently called).
According to the leaked timeline, the Corolla Cross will be “all hybrid”, though Thai automotive news site Headlightmag claims that the entry-level model will be powered by the 1.8-litre 2ZR-FE engine lifted straight from the Toyota Corolla, good for 139 hp and 172 Nm of torque.
Aside from the single variant though, the source says that the upcoming Toyota Corolla Cross will feature the 2ZR-FXE hybrid engine as seen on the Prius and pre-facelift C-HR Hybrid, which pairs a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine to an electric motor for a combined output of roughly 120 hp.
Currently, there are no news if we will be getting the new Toyota compact crossover here in Malaysia, but would you be interested to see a new HR-V rival from Toyota on our roads? Let us know in the comments section below!
