The 2021 Toyota Venza looks like a luxury vehicle. It has sweeping lines and a dramatic profile, reminiscent of something more upscale, and an interior that's equally chic. But peel away the sheet. The upcoming 2021 Toyota Urban Cruiser is a rebadged version of the Suzuki Vitara Brezza, and the photos are proving exactly that. The subcompact crossover will utilize a plush interior finished in a dual-tone dark brown color. The cabin is practical, but it looks modern and unique. It is more than a solid combination of space and utility.
Aside from the ToyotaGR Yaris,it’s not too often that we anxiously anticipate the availability of a Toyota model to come to the U.S. market, until now. The 2021Toyota Corolla Cross was just unveiled and it’s made specifically for theThailand market, however, multiple sources think that it could be eventuallyheaded to the U.S. Why are we kind of excited about it? It’s mainly because theToyota Corolla Cross seems like the small crossover that should have alreadybeen released, in fact, it could be what the C-HRshould have been.
The Toyota Corolla Cross is similar but different
The 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross is a lot like the C-HR, butjust a little different. According to Jalopnik,the Corolla Cross is one inch wider, two inches taller, and three inches longerthan the C-HR, and it also rides on the same TNGA-C platform. In case youhaven’t guessed by now, it’s basically a raised-up and more capable version ofthe Corolla, however, it scratches the “crossover itch” that consumers seem tohave nowadays.
As stated before, Thailand will get the benefit of having this crossover added to its Toyota lineup and, what’s more, it’s going to be hybrid-powered. It will come in four different trim levels: Sport, Hybrid Smart, Hybrid Premium, and Hybrid Premium Safety. The base Sport trim level will be powered by a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 140 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque, while the higher trim levels will be motivated by an electric motor that puts out 72 hp and 120 lb-ft and is paired to a four-cylinder engine that produces 98 hp and 105 lb-ft for a combined output of 121 hp. Interestingly enough, all trim levels will be front-wheel-drive.
RELATED: The BMW M240i Is a More Luxurious Toyota Supra
The Corolla Cross sure looks interesting
Powertrains aside, the Toyota Corolla Cross looks like an interesting proposition if it were to come here to the states. For starters, it doesn’t look like the Toyota Corolla Hatchback, nor the C-HR, but it does look like a smaller RAV4. We like the crossover’s bold wheel arches, elongated headlights, and large and aggressive front grille and the fact that it has a Macpherson suspension upfront, but not so much that it has a torsion-beam rear suspension.
Toyota Hybrid Crossover 2021
On the inside, the Corolla Cross bears a strikingresemblance to the current Corolla as it uses the same steering wheel and touchscreeninfotainment system, along with similar seats. According to Autoblog,the higher trim levels will get premium amenities like power front seats, apower tailgate, driver-assist features, a nine-inch infotainment system, andApple Carplay.
RELATED: 5 Reasons the 2020 Lexus ES 300h Could Be the Perfect Car for Everyone
We can only hope that is making its way over here
Ultimately, the Toyota Corolla Cross sounds promising and we could definitely use it here for our market. Although, they would probably need to put in a more powerful engine as the current specifications sound way too much like the C-HR, and we all know how slow that car is. Either way, the hybrid powertrain and higher ride height of the car might just be what the American Toyota lineup needs and what many consumers will likely want.
2021 Toyota Crossover Suv
The 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross is what you get if you blend a Corolla with the CH-R – or is it the other way around? Nevertheless, the all-new Corolla Cross was recently unveiled in Thailand. According to the Japanese carmaker, the Thais will have a first dab at the new Corolla Cross this year while other markets will follow soon.
“Now that Corolla Cross has newly joined the Corolla family, we sincerely hope that our customers will warmly welcome the vehicle to become part of their families: just like their partners, siblings, or even friends,” said Daizo Kameyama, Chief Engineer of the Toyota Corolla Cross.
However, specific details are scarce at the moment, but we do know a thing or two about Toyota’s newest high-riding Corolla. For starters, the Corolla Cross is underpinned by the Toyota New Global Architecture platform, or TNGA-C to be specific. It’s the same chassis underneath the Toyota Prius, CH-R crossover, Lexus UX, and of course, the new Corolla sedan and hatchback.
Toyota Compact Suv
Right off the bat, the new Corolla Cross eerily resembles the Mazda CX-5 with its gaping front grille and slim headlight design. Unsurprisingly, the Corolla Cross shares the same 2,640mm (103.9-inches) wheelbase as the CH-R, but it slots nicely in between the CH-R and RAV4 in terms of overall size.
Toyota’s newest Corolla Cross measures 4,460mm (175.6-inches) in length and is 1,825mm (71.9-inches) wide. The Cross is wider, but a standard Corolla sedan is longer and has a longer wheelbase in this regard.
But since we’re talking about a crossover, the new Corolla Cross is marginally taller at 1,620mm (63.8-inches) compared to the sedan version. Despite being shorter than a Corolla sedan, Toyota promises a spacious cabin, class-leading luggage space, and enhanced practicality. “We wish the Corolla Cross could assist customers in creating a new story by loading on the vehicle the people who are important to them, the luggage, and their dreams for the future,” added Kameyama.
The ASEAN-market Corolla Cross is powered by Toyota’s 2ZR-FBE 1.8-liter four-banger with 140 horsepower and 129 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a standard CVT automatic gearbox.
The biggest news is the availability of a hybrid version. Equipped with a 600-volt electric motor producing 72 horsepower and 120 pound-feet of torque, the Corolla Cross hybrid also comes with a 1.8-liter mill with 98 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. If you do the math, the Corolla Cross Hybrid can theoretically produce a total output of 170 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque.
It produces more power than a Corolla SE and XLE (equipped with a larger 2.0-liter gasoline motor), and it’s also more powerful than a Corolla Hybrid. The Corolla Cross Hybrid is also equipped with a Super CVT-i transmission. But unlike the Corolla Hybrid with an advanced multi-link rear suspension, the Cross version makes do with a standard torsion-beam setup.
So, what do you think? Do you fancy the new Toyota Corolla Cross?