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 is one of the brand’s most hotly-anticipated new arrivals for those who want a smartly sized, decently priced and family-friendly small SUV.

With an expansive range of models and variants, we’ve sampled the top-spec Atmos and the base version GX in petrol form. This was our first chance to have a go in the 

, which we’d previously suggested would be the pick of the entry-level versions.

Is it? You bet – with supreme real-world efficiency and usability, the hybrid powertrain makes the Corolla Cross move from a car that you should consider, to one that you should probably just go ahead and order.

But the GX trim? Hmmm. Maybe fork out a bit more and get the GXL. You’ll find out why if you keep reading…

How much does the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD Hybrid cost?

 is the more expensive of the entry-grade versions, attracting a $2500 premium over the petrol equivalent at 

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross SUV review (inc. 0-100): More than just a big Corolla?

At that sort of money, you might also be looking at a 

 ($33,890), although it’s not hybrid. Or perhaps a 

 mild-hybrid, which wears a list price of $36,660.

But if you’re after a “proper” hybrid rival at this price, the only other small SUV you could really consider is the GWM 

 ($36,990 drive-away). That said, I’d have the Corolla Cross Hybrid in a heartbeat.

What is the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD Hybrid like on the inside?

It doesn’t feel like a special experience in the cabin, but it does do basic very well.

I don’t love the fact that it’s got a dark headliner. It makes it feel a little bit hemmed in. That, in combination with the dense array of greyscale plastics throughout the cabin, do make it feel a little bit dark.

The storage on offer is pretty good – cupholders between the seats, a covered centre console bin with a 12-volt plug and USB-C port, a storage section in front of the shifter (with a USB-A nearby for connecting to the media system, which you will need to use if you have an Android phone) bottle holders in the doors with additional sleeves for extra items.

What isn’t lovely is the entry-level polyurethane steering wheel and shifter – not the most enjoyable material to hang onto for long periods of time.

At least it has single-zone climate-control air-conditioning, a decent 8.0-inch touchscreen media system with wireless Apple CarPlay and sat-nav, and other convenient things like push-button start, keyless entry, a 7.0-inch digital instrument display, and all of the controls are very very easy to get used to.

It’s definitely a ‘built-to-a-cost’ style interior, just like it is in an entry-level Corolla hatch or sedan.

In the back seat, with the driver’s seat set to my position (I’m 182cm/6’0), I had enough knee room, toe room, head room and shoulder room to be comfortable.

spacious. If you want more back-seat room, a Haval Jolion or Nissan Qashqai will be more suitable. Or an 

A plus is that there are directional events (you don’t get those in the Corolla Sedan), but there are no door pockets aside from a bottle holder on each door. 

There’s only one map pocket (on the back of the front passenger seat), and in the GX there is no centre armrest with cup holders.

Parents will be happy with the fact that there are ISOFIX anchors and three-tether points, and it’s possible to fit a rearward-facing baby capsule in with enough space ahead for a front-seat passenger.

The annoying thing for parents is that loading in a child or a child seat can be a bit of a tedious process, because the doors don’t open very wide. If you want a really wide opening backdoor SUV, look at a Nissan Qashqai.

Boot space is exceptionally good, easily large enough to fit a pram and some luggage. 

Toyota has – believe it or not – five different claimed boot capacity figures. But the one for the GX 2WD Hybrid is 

Just note, if you’re planning a trip to IKEA or Bunnings and you do need to fold down the seats to store a larger item, there is no flat load through space – it has a huge hump in the way. 

See the pictures for a better indication of the imposition of said bump.

The hybrid version of the Toyota Corolla Cross runs a 

 running on the more efficient Atkinson cycle, and the engine itself offers 

There’s an e-CVT transmission, and an electric motor at the front axle producing 

There is no all-wheel drive version available in GX trim, but the GXL and Atmos models with hybrid all-wheel drive add a 30kW rear axle motor.

No biggie, though, because Toyota says the combined power output for the 2WD and AWD models is the same, at 

. There’s no combined torque output published.

The 0-100km/h time, for those interested, is 

How does the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD Hybrid drive?

I really enjoyed the drive experience of the Corolla Cross – it’s just like a Corolla Hatch, only bigger.

That is to say that it has very enjoyable dynamics – the ride is comfortable, and yet, it still has a nice level of handling capability.

The steering is light but accurate, easy to point the car wherever you need to go – whether you are pushing it a bit through a twisty corner, or parking at the shops. The reversing camera is basic but fine, but if you want a surround-view camera, you need to step up to the GXL.

The only issue really with the handling side of things is that the tyres aren’t fantastic, but that’s an easy fix.

The hybrid powertrain – as expected – is a highlight, with ample pulling power and easy acceleration from a standstill.

I reckon this could out-sprint a few of its contemporaries from 0-50km/h. That’s the benefit of a battery backing the petrol engine up.

It’s also super duper efficient, as you’ll see in the ownership section below.

The way it dips between EV power and petrol power, or a combination of the two, is very impressive.

However, my partner also drove this car and she said she thought that the transmission was a bit wacky – in that it “seems to always make the car rev really hard”. She’s bang on, it does take some getting used to.

But once you get used to it (I am, having driven a bunch of hybrid Toyota models), it’s fine. 

The noisiest element of the drive experience is when that petrol engine is revving hard, but thankfully, there’s not too much road or when noise to contend with. All told, this is a very impressive small SUV to drive.

The things that give it away that this is a base grade are the polyurethane steering wheel and gear selector, which certainly cheaper the feel.

And on the outside, those dull halogen daytime running lights look amazingly drab – especially when contrasted against the standard LED headlights. 

Heck, you even get an LED in the boot area – I would have thought pedestrians and other road users being able to see you coming would be more important, to Toyota. 

So, just to be 100 per cent clear, you get a bit of extra stuff if you can spend the $3750 extra for the GXL.

Honestly, I think you’ll get a more enjoyable Corolla Cross to sit inside of, and you’ll probably see a benefit come resale time, too. 

Is the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD Hybrid safe?

The Toyota Corolla Cross range was awarded the maximum 

 against 2022 criteria, with pretty strong scores across the board.

It managed 85 per cent for adult occupant safety, 88 per cent for child occupants, 87 per cent for vulnerable road users, and 83 per cent for safety assist tech.

One thing to note, though, is that the GX misses out on a potentially life-saving safety technology – Backover AEB, which can auto-brake for pedestrians detected when you’re reversing. 

This tech is offered in GXL and Atmos, and it really should be standard range-wide.

Otherwise, the tech offering is pretty democratic, including eight airbags (dual front, driver’s knee, front-centre, front side and full-length curtain), and a host of other assistance features.

How much does the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD Hybrid cost to run?

, and if you service your car on time against the logbook requirements that extends to seven years for the powertrain.

Further to that, if you maintain your car with Toyota annually, and have a hybrid system checkup done on schedule, the battery warranty is 10 years/unlimited kilometres. That’s an excellent long-term ownership prospect.

The fuel costs are going to be low in this thing, because it has serious real-world efficiency on its side.

Official combined cycle fuel consumption for the GX Hybrid is just 

, and over several hundred kays of mixed driving, my real world return was just a smidge over that at 4.6L/100km. Very impressive.

And, it can run on 91 RON regular unleaded. Fuel tank capacity is small, though, at 

. I guess that doesn’t matter that much if you get the fuel use I saw, but you’re still looking at over 780km per tank.

As for longer-term costs, the brand offers a capped-price servicing plan for the Corolla Cross, which is 

 per visit for the first five years/75,000km. Impressive.

CarExpert’s Take on the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD Hybrid

If you want a no-frills car that will save you on petrol bills, yet still manages to offer some exceptional safety gear, in-car technology, as well as a suitably sized cabin for the family, this is a walk-up start for you.

I was thoroughly impressed by a lot of things about the Corolla Cross GX Hybrid. 

I’d definitely spend the extra for a GXL and get a few more niceties, but if your budget isn’t that pliable, this is going to be a smart solution.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GX Hybrid review

Head of Content

Toyota’s new SUV, which sits between the smaller 

 in the range, is available in eight different flavours. 

Of those eight, only three have standalone petrol power. Clearly, the Toyota product planning team is steering customers down the petrol-electric road.

There’s an argument to be made for sticking with old-fashioned petrol power, though.

Sure, you’ll save some money on fuel with the hybrid, but the Corolla Cross Atmos petrol is $2500 cheaper than the front-wheel drive hybrid option, and a whopping $5500 less expensive than the range-topping AWD Hybrid 

That buys you a lot of petrol. It also allows you to opt for a top-spec Atmos petrol instead of a mid-range GXL AWD Hybrid for very similar money. 

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross petrol (inc. 0-100) review

How much does the Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos 2WD cost?

The Corolla Cross range starts at $33,000 before on-road costs, and tops out just shy of $50,000. 

The Atmos 2WD on test here is priced from 

, making it the cheapest way into a fully-loaded Corolla Cross. The 2WD Hybrid is $2500 more expensive, and the AWD Hybrid is $5500 pricier. 

It’s just $1300 more expensive than the worse equipped, but more efficient Corolla Cross GXL AWD Hybrid. 

 ($41,990). It also crosses over with the larger Toyota RAV4 GXL 2WD Hybrid ($42,600).

What is the Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos 2WD like on the inside?

 about the front section of the Corolla Cross cabin.

The dashboard and steering wheel are lifted from the hatchback, although the Cross features a bigger screen and some unique detailing lower down. It’s reasonably handsome, but it’s not particularly expensive or flashy at first glance.

Up front the driver and passenger sit high in generously padded leather seats, for a more commanding view of the road ahead than a Corolla hatch or sedan can offer, and the tall roofline and generous glasshouse make the Cross feel quite spacious. 

You’ll be able to get comfortable behind the wheel, no matter what shape you are.

All the major controls fall easily to hand. 

There’s no missing the 10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which dominates the dashboard, while the simple climate control pod below it is direct from the Corolla hatch.

Below that sits a bank of switches (heated seats, steering wheel) that look and feel like an afterthought, while the inclusion of just one USB-A port up front is hard to understand in a brand new car. Most rivals offer two plugs, and most have moved to USB-C.

As for the technology? Traditionally a Toyota weak spot, it’s much improved here. 

The bigger screen features more modern graphics and faster responses than the outdated setup now being phased out elsewhere in the range, and the inclusion of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a win.

Does it propel the Corolla Cross to the top of the class? No, but it doesn’t feel like Toyota has brought a knife to a gunfight anymore.

The same applies to the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which is more modern than the hybrid analogue/digital setup that’s featured on range-topping Toyotas until now. Volkswagen still offers more customisation, sharper graphics, and better mapping, but the Big T is closer than ever.

Although there are some high points, the front of the Corolla Cross can’t hide its budget origins. The dashboard trim to the right of the steering wheel is hard plastic, as are parts of the (slightly flimsy) door trims, and the love lavished on the RAV4 with its rubberised climate dials and interesting materials hasn’t been replicated here.

We were hoping for a bit more, although it’s easier to swallow in the petrol Atmos with its $43,000 sticker than the AWD Hybrid, which is nudging $50k.

Space in the rear seats is in keeping with the Corolla Cross’ pitch as a car for people who think the Yaris Cross is too small, and the RAV4 is too big. 

Legroom is solid behind adults, although headroom isn’t standout in the Atmos with its panoramic sunroof.

The inclusion of air vents will endear the Cross to parents in Australia, as will the USB-C ports standard back there to keep devices charged. There are two ISOFIX and three top-tether points.

If you’re constantly carrying a full load of children, the RAV4 is a better bet. If you have a smaller family and have only just outgrown your hatchback, it’s likely the right size.

The only difference between the Atmos petrol and its hybrid brethren inside is the boot. At 

, it’s up 45L on the AWD Hybrid we recently reviewed. 

The flat floor and relatively broad load bay mean it’s a practical space, and the extra room is noticeable relative to the hybrid, but it still doesn’t feel as usable back there as a Kia Seltos.

The petrol-only unit on offer in the Corolla Cross is a 

2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder

 of torque, sending power to the front wheels through a CVT automatic.

, making this the slowest member of the range. 

) on the combined cycle, and the car drinks 91 RON regular unleaded. 

The petrol Corolla Cross has the biggest fuel tank in the range, at 

How does the Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos 2WD drive?

The Corolla Cross is comfortable and quiet, but it won’t set your pulse racing. 

It also lacks the smooth, serene feeling you get from the hybrid at low speeds. Rather than setting off in silence, it can be gruff on startup and doesn’t enjoy being pushed hard. 

Lean gently on the throttle and it hums along effortlessly, but ask for too much more and there’s plenty of noise in the cabin. 

Toyota’s CVT is smoother and smarter than earlier iterations, and will imitate a conventional torque converter by shuffling through faux ratios for a more natural feeling, but it doesn’t feel like a natural athlete. 

That’s okay, given the average Corolla buyer doesn’t want a sports car, but even the hybrid with its electric motor feels a bit livelier. 

There are going to be plenty of people stepping up from older Corollas or RAV4s that will immediately feel comfortable behind the wheel given their last car didn’t have an electric motor, but the learning curve on Toyota hybrids isn’t what you’d call steep. 

At a settled cruise, it’s impressively quiet. The Corolla Cross hums along with minimal wind, road, and engine noise at 100km/h on Australian roads, and the ride is excellent on the 18-inch alloy wheels standard on the range-topping car.

Sometimes small-ish SUVs with big wheels can crash and bash over potholes and expansion joints, but this feels impressively plush.

Other cars built on the TNGA platform can occasionally be a bit boomy at highway speeds, but the Cross hasn’t fallen into the same trap. It feels meaningfully more grown up than the Yaris Cross, and the elevated driving position will no doubt make nervous drivers feel more comfortable in the cut-and-thrust of the open road. 

Coupled with light, fluid steering and excellent all-round visibility, the ride makes the Corolla Cross feel right at home on pockmarked city streets.

Toyota has improved the quality of its cameras and displays, leaving fewer excuses for scraped or dinged bumpers – although the static guidelines on the reversing camera and its low-light performance still feel a bit cheap relative to what’s on offer in rival crossovers.

The range of driver assists on offer work smartly. The adaptive cruise does a good job keeping a consistent gap to the car in front, the lane-centring feels the right amount of hands-on, and the lane-keep will confidently nudge you back between the white lines if you stray. 

Is the Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos 2WD safe?

Since its launch earlier this year, the Toyota Corolla Cross has earned a 

Applicable to all variants, the Corolla Cross managed 85 per cent for adult occupant protection, 88 per cent for child occupant protection, 87 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 83 per cent for safety assist.

ANCAP praised the Corolla Cross for achieving the best vulnerable road user score against the 2020-22 criteria yet, though only 

 protection of the driver’s chest was recorded in the frontal offset test, with a penalty applied.

How much does the Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos 2WD cost to run?

, which extends to seven years on the powertrain if the car is serviced using Toyota’s capped-price service program.

Maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, and the first five services are capped at

CarExpert’s Take on the Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos 2WD

You can save some money upfront by opting for a petrol Corolla Cross, but the hybrid is undoubtedly a better car.  

There are significant real-world fuel savings to be had, and it’s a nicer car to drive in the city thanks to its electric motor.

As we said in the Atmos Hybrid AWD review, the Corolla Cross has plenty to offer but its strengths are potentially better highlighted elsewhere in the range.

An Atmos 2WD Hybrid has all the nice bits and pieces on offer in our petrol tester, for example, but features a smoother and quieter hybrid drivetrain for $2500 more.

Alternatively, if you’re willing to forego some niceties the GXL AWD Hybrid is cheaper than the Atmos petrol, punchier, more efficient, and features all-wheel drive.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos review

Production Editor

 may not look super exciting on first glance, but it’s one of the most anticipated new vehicles to launch in 2022.

Every time we published an article about it on 

 it would quickly become the top-ranking article of the week, and we’ve received countless reader questions about it. 

, so we’re taking a look at the absolute entry level – meet the 

At $33,000 before on-roads, this is the Corolla Cross in its most affordable form, and a good way to test Toyota’s anticipated new crossover without all the distracting bells and whistles from higher up in the range.

Could the base model be the sweet spot? Let’s find out!

How much does the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD cost?

On test we have the absolute cheapest Corolla Cross variant you can buy in Australia – priced from 

 for this variant using a Melbourne postcode with standard paint.

The base GX is also available with a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain for an additional $2500, making it the most affordable hybrid in the segment – though rivals in this space are few and far between.

It’s also pretty competitive with entry-level offerings in the segment – see below for more.

Prices exclude on-road costs unless specified

What is the Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD like on the inside?

The fleet-spec vibe of the demure exterior continues in the cabin, with a polyurethane steering wheel and hard door trims. In fairness, there’s a number of entry-level SUVs that undress the cabin a bit at the base grade.

While the drab grey colour scheme and more utilitarian materials don’t give off a luxurious vibe, the hard-wearing cloth, clean design and clear digital displays make the Corolla Cross’s cabin very functional, giving off a feeling of durability.

The front seats are comfortable and offer decent bolstering to support you in the right places, and there’s good adjustment in both the driver’s seat and steering wheel so that even leggy people like myself can get comfy.

While the steering wheel lacks a leather or leather-look finish, I’m a big fan of its compact rim and well-placed switchgear. It just sits super comfortably in the hand – provided you haven’t left it out in the sun for too long.

Ahead of the driver is the same 7.0-inch supervision display you’ll find in the higher-up GXL, and it’s suspiciously similar in size and design to the unit used in more expensive vehicles like the 

Sitting atop the dashboard is an 8.0-inch touchscreen shared with other models in the Toyota line-up, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, but without factory satellite navigation.

It does offer Toyota Connected Services, which includes 

 to an array of net-based services such as remote functions via your smartphone and an intelligent voice assistant activated by saying “Hey Toyota”. Being the base model with no native navigation, the connected nav feature isn’t available here.

The thick bezels may not be super attractive, but the latest generation of Toyota’s infotainment is a massive step forward in look and feel compared to even the most recent iteration, and in practice it’s a much snappier and fluid experience as ever.

Wireless Apple CarPlay worked pretty flawlessly during our time with the Corolla Cross and is a cinch to set up, while audio quality from the standard six-speaker audio system is fine given the price point.

Below the tablet-style display are physical climate controls nicked straight from the Corolla Hatch and Sedan, which are clearly labelled, easy to use and nicely designed. The GX gets single-zone climate, while GXL and Atmos models feature dual-zone functionality – all models score rear air vents, however.

Storage up front is also good, thanks to a deep cubby under the centre stack – though no wireless phone charger in this grade – cupholders between the front seats, a small-ish centre bin and door pockets that can accommodate the average bottle and other small items.

Like we assessed at the launch, the Corolla Cross’s rear seat is more accommodating than some smaller crossovers, but it’s not quite the size of something like a 

I’m 6’1 and can fit behind my preferred driving position fine, although it’s a bit snug in terms of knee room. Head and toe room otherwise are good for the class.

Two adults will be fine back there, and the Corolla Cross’s big rear windows mean it’s a much better kiddy carrier than the related C-HR. You also get rear air vents, a map pocket behind the front passenger seat, as well as bottle holders in the door.

Speaking of the kids, there are ISOFIX anchors on the outboard positions, as well as top-tether points across all three rear seats.

The boot capacity of the Corolla Cross largely depends on the variant you choose, but the GX and GXL 2WD petrol versions offer the most space at 

You’ll find a temporary space-saver spare wheel under the boot floor, which is better than AWD Hybrid models with their repair kits, but rivals like the Kia Seltos offer full-size spares across the bulk of the range.

The space itself is nice and square, but when the rear seats are folded there’s no adjustable load floor and therefore there’s a huge hump between the low-slung boot floor and the backs of the rear seats. Having done an IKEA run with a friend to get a 2.0m-long cabinet, this was a bit of a pain.

Trust the experts to help you get a great deal and a likely discount when you buy a new Toyota Corolla Cross

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Trust the experts to help you get a great deal and a likely discount when you buy a new Toyota Corolla Cross

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