What To Know About the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross

September 10th, 2021 by

A blue 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE AWD is shown from the front parked in a city.

People may not think about it, but some vehicles in production today have been around since the 1950s. A few of the manufacturers who are in charge of the production of these vehicles are some of the most well-known and respected names in the industry, one of which is Toyota. But while models such as the Land Cruiser have been around since 1951, Toyota’s success has always been cemented in innovation. New vehicles are par for the course, and we’re getting the all-new 2022 Corolla Cross this year. For a company with as much of a positive reputation as Toyota, you owe it to yourself to check out its latest new vehicle during your shopping process. The first place to go is your local Toyota Corolla Cross dealership.

Three trim levels are available for the 2022 Corolla Cross. These three trims are the L, LE, and the XLE at the top-end. Critics have had time with the Corolla Cross, and the consensus has been overall positive. This subcompact SUV is stunning to look at, both on the outside and especially on the inside. With a tall and vibrant infotainment center taking center stage, the Corolla Cross looks ahead of the game. Performance remains quite subtle, but with it comes outstanding fuel efficiency, especially for its size. What else makes this vehicle such an excellent choice over its competitors? Let’s take a closer look and see what we can find.

We Love Efficiency

The Corolla Cross doesn’t make things overly complicated when it comes to the general shopping experience. In addition to the three trim levels that we mentioned earlier, there’s only one engine with the Corolla Cross, and it comes included with each of these trims. It’s nothing otherworldly, just a simple 2.0L four-cylinder engine borrowed from the Corolla sedan that comes paired to a continuously variable transmission for smooth shifts and enhanced efficiency.

This 2.0L four-cylinder engine produces 169 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque, so although some may argue that performance could be better, it is more than ample, and anything more would inevitably be at the cost of fuel efficiency. What we are currently getting is certainly impressive for a vehicle of this size. It’s worth noting that the current efficiency ratings are an estimation, but should they turn out to be accurate, we’re very impressed with getting 32 MPG city in a compact SUV.

If the Corolla Cross proves to be popular, the rumor is that Toyota might introduce a hybrid version with even better fuel economy. However, the current powertrain is a great balance of performance, efficiency, and price. In fact, given its current specs, the Corolla Cross can even manage some towing. With a 1,500-pound tow rating, the Corolla Cross can easily tow along those smaller trailers, or even a boat, although you may be stretching it depending on how large said boat is.

The black interior of a 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE AWD shows the steering wheel and infotainment screen.

An Eye-Catching Interior

We currently don’t know everything about the interior dimensions as of yet, but we can tell you that critics have praised the 25.5 cu ft. of cargo space that you’ll get with the Corolla Cross. While it may not be the most spacious SUV on the market, its interior dimensions are quite roomy for its size and are ample for the average user. As a subcompact SUV, there are two rows of seats, so five passengers is the limit. Although there’s no word on headroom and legroom right now, we suspect that drivers are going to find it quite spacious as it’s inevitably larger than its sibling, the Corolla sedan.

Perhaps what we found to be the most stunning was Toyota’s usage of tech in the 2022 Corolla Cross. More notably, the SUV’s ability to give off the impression of a vehicle not only built for the current year but one that’s designed for the future too is something of a marvel to behold. While the two available screen sizes for the infotainment center aren’t anything we haven’t seen before at seven and eight inches diagonally, they are presented in such a way that gives the interior a strikingly futuristic design. With the taller profile and sleek angles, the infotainment center is easy to view at a glance, and unlike other vehicles out there, the physical buttons and knobs are here. In this ever-growing digital age, some people prefer tangible buttons over touch screen interfaces. Fortunately, for drivers of the 2022 Corolla Cross, Toyota has implemented the best of both worlds.

Keeping up with the latest tech trends, the Corolla Cross also includes a Wireless Charging Pad for your smartphone – simply place the device on top of the pad, and it will start charging if your smartphone supports the feature. Also included are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two features that many would consider a staple of modern-day vehicle tech. Connecting your smartphone to the Corolla Cross will allow you to use your phone without picking up the device itself. All of the controls and apps you would need on the road are all available, from navigation to weather, and it’s all accessed directly through the infotainment center touchscreen.

Tech that Delivers

The implementation we see of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is as expected, and that’s to say it’s up-to-date and feature-packed. You’ll be plugging in your phone with the vehicle’s included USB port, which can also act as a way of charging your phone if it doesn’t support wireless charging. A wired connection may be looked down upon by some in the world of wireless tech, but many would also agree that a wired connection means you’re far less likely to lose connection to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Vehicles nowadays are likely to include these pieces of software, but this isn’t always the case, so we’re quite thrilled about its inclusion here.

There hasn’t been any word yet of whether or not the Corolla Cross will utilize Toyota Connect, with its popular 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, but it’s fair to assume that it will. Should it support the feature, it will complement a wide set of tech features that we’re quite impressed about overall. Toyota doesn’t claim the Corolla Cross is the best-in-class when it comes to this stuff, but it doesn’t need to either, and it’s near-perfect for what the average driver would want.

A blue 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE AWD is shown driving after leaving a Toyota Corolla Cross dealership.

Act Now or Wait?

We believe that the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross does exactly what it sets out to do. With a fantastic interior and excellent efficiency, we can’t recommend this vehicle enough to somebody who wants something different. Down the line, Toyota is bound to make more enhancements to the Corolla Cross, and we’ll be there every step of the way. Our bit of hopeful speculation for the future is the inclusion of a hybrid engine, allowing the vehicle to maintain its rightful place as an efficiency powerhouse. So then, should you spring for the Corolla Cross or wait for the first-time consumers to figure out its quirks? We say you should go for it. After you pay us a visit, we are sure you will be equally delighting with this compact SUV.