Louth Motors: Toyota Corolla Cross hits the mark

​Not a new car this week but a refresh of a hugely popular model here in Ireland.

​We adore the Corolla here and across the world but when Toyota applied the SUV principles (Toyota uses the phrase “Cross”) to both the Yaris and the Corolla we gulped them down here.

So much so that the Cross version of the Yaris outsold the Yaris last year and the Cross version of the Corolla looks like it’ll exceed sales of the normal Corolla this year based on current sales trends - at least that's my prediction.

The Corolla Cross improvements over the previous model are substantial with a redesigned front end, updated lighting and aerodynamic adjustments at the rear.

The front grille reminds me of the front of the original Hyundai Kona for some reason and made me think that the changes were not all that radical.

Certainly not as cutting edge as the C-HR model and Toyota could have been a bit braver. Then again, maybe Toyota knows best.

The changes are for Corolla customers who favour a traditional look, while buyers seeking bolder styling might opt for the more radical C-HR and pass on the conservative Corolla Cross looks. Inside you get a redesigned centre console, faster wireless technology and fancier digital displays.

Toyota has also reduced the road and wind noise which to be fair wasn't that bad in the first place, but all improvements here are welcome news to my sensitive ears.

There are 4 trim levels Luna, Sport, Sol and GR Sport with pricing for the entry Luna model from €40,085.

Prices have risen between €800 and €1,500 depending on trim selected. Buyers already used to paying a premium for a Toyota will be happy with that relatively small price creep bearing in mind the improvements.

Apart from the GR Sport trim all are powered by the same 1.8l petrol hybrid that has 140bhp, drives a CVT (auto) gearbox and has 142 Nmof torque. You get a 0-100km/h time of 9.9s.

The claimed fuel return is 4.9 litres/100 km and with a 36l tank that's a range of 735km. I managed 5.4l/100 km for a real world range of 667kms. The GR Sport has a 2.0l petrol hybrid engine that boosts power to 180hp. The boot will take 473 litres of your chattels.

The driving experience in the Corolla Cross is the same one you get in a lot of Toyota models that have mass market appeal. That familiarity greatly helps as you move through life changes and need a different car.

Toyota has a model for everyone and the driving experience remains consistent. Light steering and decent levels of road-holding.

The CVT gearbox is common on all Toyota hybrids and performs perfectly well. Under harsh acceleration the sound from the engine seems louder and harder for the performance it delivers but you get used to it and once registered you forget about it. It hasn't deterred thousands of Toyota drivers here and millions worldwide.

Being a hybrid you can achieve a claimed 1km or 2km of all electric drive if the speed is under 40km/h which I never managed to achieve. The transition between engine and electric power deserves praise as it's imperceptible for those times it happens.

The car is set up for passenger comfort. Get it on our R roads and it makes them feel better than they actually are. If bodyroll is a factor in your decision to buy then you are looking at the wrong car or the wrong genre.

These SUVs are designed for practicality and not driving dynamics. A bit like having 5 kids and wanting a 2-seater sports car - the premise is mutually exclusive. For 99% of your trips you and your passengers will be happy. That bodyroll isn't anything to concern yourself with as it is kept well in control for the speeds you will be entering corners at.

The lightness of driving is something you either like or detest and that lightness comes at the expense of driver feedback from the front wheels. That’s vital when progress is fast and changeable but most drivers of the Corolla Cross will be happy with what's on offer for the speeds they will most likely be travelling at.

It has less than the standard Corolla and isn't as fun to drive compared to the Corolla which wasn't at the forefront of driver appeal to start with. I’d like more but as ever more wants more, so I’ll never be sated.

The materials on the inside are better, it's claimed. But nicer? Not really. There are some places you touch that could be better in a car that starts at €40k. The central infotainment layout with its assortment of buttons is fine but no volume control - that’s on the steering wheel only. So, 4 faults there.

Also some of the places where the switches are fitted are hard to fathom. The heated seats and steering wheel controls should be together and the auto selection for the high beam assist should be on the stalk with the rest of the light controls to be in one place.

I’m also of the opinion that the door locking control buttons should be in the central console to allow front passengers also access them and it should be the place for all cars, not just this Corolla Cross.

The Cross versions prove that the name of the car is important. It’s easier to get someone into a new Corolla than it is to change the name.

Toyota have been extremely clever just adding the Cross moniker and retaining the existing saloon/hatchback models to be able to offer the SUV option for buyers.

Familiarity breeds contempt but in terms of selling cars brand continuity simply sells. This Corolla Cross proves Toyota’s strategy works.