2021 Toyota Corolla Cross yet another crossover in carmaker’s line-up

What do you do when you run out of names for your car-based crossovers? Toyota seems to have found an answer by naming its crossovers after all its hatchbacks and sedans. After the Yaris Cross debuted a month ago, they have laid their hands on another name, revealing the all-new 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross in Thailand.

The Corolla nameplate is very important for Toyota. So, when the brand chooses to slap on the 54-year old moniker to a new vehicle, it should be very important too. The 2021 Corolla Cross rides on the TNGA- C platform that underpins the C-HR as well as the Corolla itself. The exterior design of the 2021 Corolla Cross does not resemble the Corolla that much. Instead, it gets a more faux-rugged SUV-like design. On the flip side, the interior looks almost the same as that of the ASEAN-spec Corolla sedan. Size-wise, the Corolla Cross fits between the funky C-HR and the flat-faced RAV4.

In the Thai market, the Corolla Cross gets two different engines, starting with a 140 hp 1.8-litre petrol engine. This mill churns out 175 Nm of torque, which is sent to the front wheels through a CVT automatic. The other powertrain on offer is a combination of a 72 hp 600-volt electric motor with a 98 hp 1.8-litre engine. This hybrid model gets Toyota’s e-CVT automatic.

The 2021 Toyota Cross will get no one’s pulse racing as it slowly settles down into the saturated crossover SUV market. But it is sure that many people will buy it, mainly due to the name it comes with. The Toyota Cross will go on sale in Thailand this year. The entrance into other markets is not confirmed yet.