Carrying the emblem of Toyota, which commands a sizeable portion of Australia's automotive market, the Corolla Cross enters the fray with an auspicious pedigree. Launched a mere two months ago, this newcomer already holds its own, earning acclaim for its comprehensive package, suggesting a potent contender in its segment.

Our initial assessment of the Corolla Cross suggested a vehicle that knew its purpose and strived to fulfil it. Despite not necessarily pushing boundaries, the Corolla Cross encapsulated the traits that have endeared Australians to the Corolla and RAV4 models. The initial impression was promising.

Fast forward to a week-long rendezvous with the top-tier Atmos AWD Hybrid variant, and our objective was to unearth any hidden quirks that may appear during an extended stay. Also, this gave us the opportunity to confirm or reconsider our first impressions from our inaugural drive of this vibrant Atomic Rush example.

Allow me to highlight one of the major strengths of this model that I’ve cheekily dubbed 'RAV3' – an unapologetic amalgamation of the finest features of the RAV4 and Corolla. Packaged within an ideally-sized, user-friendly, and hassle-free shell, it strikes a fine balance of family functionality and urban convenience, all while providing an enjoyable drive.

In many ways, the Corolla Cross embodies a 'Goldilocks' ideal: more practical than the C-HR, more versatile than the Corolla hatch or sedan, and more affordable – sans the notorious waiting times – than the RAV4. As our experience corroborates, this crossover walks its talk.

In line with Toyota's tradition, the Corolla Cross comes with a gamut of choices spanning three trim levels and three powertrain options, aiming to cater to a wide spectrum of buyer preferences and budgets. As our focus here lies on the loaded Atmos Hybrid AWD variant, we will assess its overall proposition and value proposition relative to the other seven variants in the lineup.

What are the prices for the Toyota Corolla Cross Atoms Hybrid AWD?

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross pricing:

Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD: $33,000

Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD Hybrid: $35,000

Toyota Corolla Cross GXL: $36,750

Toyota Corolla Cross GXL 2WD Hybrid: $39,250

Toyota Corolla Cross GXL AWD Hybrid: $42,250

Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos: $43,550

Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos 2WD Hybrid: $46,050

Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos AWD Hybrid: $49,050

Prices exclude on-road costs

What’s under the bonnet? 

The Corolla Cross, Toyota's latest offering, seems predestined for success given the popularity of its brand mates, which include three of Australia's top-five selling vehicles. Indeed, upon its debut, the compact family car garnered high praise for its well-rounded features, hinting at its potential as a frontrunner in its segment.

The Corolla Cross blends the best elements of the RAV4 and Corolla, creating an ideally sized, easy-to-use, no-fuss package. It's sufficiently spacious for family needs, compact and agile for city life, and delivers a pleasant driving experience. More practical than the C-HR, more utilitarian than the Corolla hatch or sedan, and more affordable than the RAV4, it offers a "goldilocks" package that lives up to expectations.

The Corolla Cross line offers a wide array of choices, with three trim levels and three powertrain options. The vehicle we're reviewing is the range-topping Atmos Hybrid AWD, powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine producing 112kW and 190Nm, paired with an e-CVT. This hybrid engine uses a 4.06Ah lithium-ion battery pack that's 14% lighter and more powerful than previous versions, and it boasts a combined power output of 146kW.

How does the Toyota Corolla Cross Atoms Hybrid AWD drive? 

The Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD is powered by a combination of a 112kW/190Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine, an 83kW/206Nm electric motor up front, a 30kW electric motor at the rear, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and a compact, yet powerful, lithium-ion battery.

This combination of powertrains offers a smooth and near-seamless transition between electric and petrol power, providing ample acceleration for most driving situations. However, there is a noticeable delay when flooring the throttle from a cruising speed, which is attributed to the time taken by the petrol engine to kick in and ramp up its revolutions.

Despite this, once the engine is up and running, the Corolla Cross Hybrid provides a robust performance, capable of overtaking confidently on open roads. Toyota claims a 0–100km/h acceleration time of 7.6 seconds for this model.

The car's braking system, which combines regenerative braking from the electric motor with regular disc brakes, is progressive and easy to manage, further enhancing its driving appeal.

In terms of ride comfort, the Corolla Cross performs admirably. It handles both large and small road imperfections well, ensuring a comfortable ride at both city and highway speeds. The steering is light enough for easy parking but also offers sufficient precision for more dynamic driving.

Visibility is excellent due to the large windows and side mirrors, with added assistance from blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert systems. While it's not designed to function as a high-riding hot hatchback, the Corolla Cross still offers decent dry-weather traction and performance around bends, courtesy of the all-wheel-drive system and Michelin Primacy 4 tyres.

The platform shared with the Corolla, known as TNGA-C, is a highlight of the vehicle, especially when paired with the expertly tuned suspension. The car provides a hint of playfulness and fun while maintaining its practicality and convenience for everyday use. Overall, the Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid AWD delivers a well-rounded driving experience that combines power, comfort, and precision.

What is the Toyota Corolla Cross Atoms Hybrid AWD like on the inside? 

The Toyota Corolla Cross SUV offers a familiar yet upgraded interior for those transitioning from a current-generation Corolla hatch or sedan. While the dashboard, key switches, and steering wheel are borrowed from these models, the Corolla Cross introduces some new elements to enhance the cabin experience.

The interior design features soft faux leather materials at key touchpoints like armrests, although some areas, including the tops of the doors, are made of harder plastic. The seats, trimmed with synthetic leather-look material, are comfortable for long drives, but could benefit from more lateral support during tight cornering.

The Corolla Cross offers tilt and reach adjustment in the steering wheel and eight ways of power adjustment in the driver's seat, ensuring a comfortable driving position. Although it offers a higher seating position typical of SUVs, some drivers might prefer the ability to lower the driver's seat a bit more.

The car comes equipped with various standard features including a wireless phone charger, dual-zone air-conditioning, four one-touch up/down windows, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, and a 12-volt socket. However, it offers only one USB port in the front row, a bit of a downside compared to some competitors. Storage space in the cabin is adequate, although the center console compartment is a bit small.

Rear-seat passengers will appreciate the increased space compared to the Corolla hatch. While legroom might be a bit tight for taller passengers, the Corolla Cross still offers decent space for shorter journeys. Features in the rear include four cupholders, two USB-C ports, rear air vents, and child seat anchor points.

The Atmos Hybrid AWD variant has the smallest boot space in the Corolla Cross range, offering 380L of capacity. This is due to the accommodation of the hybrid battery, rear electric motor, and parts of the JBL sound system under the floor. Still, this boot space is quite comparable to competitors and is enough for a family road trip, with the added flexibility of 60:40 split-folding rear seats.

Is the Toyota Corolla Cross Atoms Hybrid AWD safe? 

The Toyota Corolla Cross hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP or ANCAP yet, but given the related Corolla wears five-star ratings for hatch and sedan body styles, we’d expect a similar result when it is.

Standard safety features include:

Toyota Safety Sense

AEB with Pedestrian, Cyclist detection

Adaptive cruise control incl. curve speed reduction

Auto high-beam

Lane departure warning

Lane keep assist

Lane Trace Assist (centring)

Lane change assist

Speed sign assist

Blind-spot monitoring incl. safe exit assist

Rear cross-traffic alert

Reversing camera

8 airbags incl. front-centre airbag

GXL adds:

Parking support brake incl. vehicle, object detection

‘Simple’ panoramic view monitor (360 cameras)

Atmos Hybrid adds:

Enhanced panoramic view monitor (360 cameras with see-through view)

Advanced Park Assist

Parking support brake incl. pedestrian detection

How much does the Toyota Corolla Cross Atoms Hybrid AWD cost to run? 

Toyota claims a fuel economy of 4.4 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, and in our testing, the AWD Hybrid managed to slightly beat that figure, achieving an impressive 4.3L/100km. The Corolla Cross comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty for the vehicle, and seven years for the engine and hybrid system.

Servicing costs for the Corolla Cross increased from $230 to $250 in 2023, but it remains cheaper to maintain than similarly priced rivals such as the Mazda CX-30 G25 Astina and the Subaru XV Hybrid. However, the quoted insurance premium is notably high, possibly due to the vehicle's novelty and an insurer's cautious risk assessment.

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The Toyota Corolla Cross continues to impress, particularly the flagship Atmos Hybrid AWD, as it is tested in a variety of real-world commuting scenarios and compared to other vehicles.

One of the standout qualities of the Corolla Cross is its ideal size which balances full-fledged family friendliness and unfazed driving manners. The ease of use and the lack of substantial annoyances contribute to the overall positive impression of this SUV. While it doesn't excel exceptionally in any one aspect, it doesn't falter notably either.

While the top-spec Atmos Hybrid AWD model comes with a relatively higher price tag, it delivers impressive value with its features and performance. However, it is worth considering the mid-spec GXL Hybrid front-wheel drive variant, which is significantly more affordable and could potentially offer the best balance of cost and features within the range.

However, wherever you land within the Corolla Cross range, and especially if you opt for a hybrid model, it seems that you will find a car that hits a sweet spot of size, functionality, and price, making it an excellent choice for your everyday commuting needs.