Toyota Corolla Cross to be launched in the US soon?

It appears that the Toyota Corolla Cross may be sold in the United States after all. This follows recent sightings of a fully camouflaged test mule making the rounds in the country, one that had been equipped with amber turn signals. Usually, this is a clear sign that a vehicle is being developed for the US market, but nothing is set in stone just yet.

The first ever Corolla Cross was unveiled in Thailand in July 2020, and it is currently sold in a number of ASEAN markets, as well as Brazil and other Latin American countries. In most markets, the car is offered with a 1.8 litre mill (hybrid and regular ICE), but the Brazilian-made model gets a larger direct-injected 2.0 litre flex fuel engine plus a 1.8 litre hybrid.

Built based on the TNGA-C platform, the Corolla Cross has a wheelbase of 2,640 mm, which is the same as the C-HR. However, it is slightly larger, measuring 4,460 mm long (+100 mm compared to the C-HR), 1,825 mm wide (+30 mm) and 1,620 mm tall (+ 55 mm). It also loses out on the double wishbones suspension for the rear, and is equipped with a torsion beam setup instead.

According to Automotive News, the Corolla Cross may not undergo any significant changes should it be introduced in the US. It will likely share the same 2.0L and 1.8L hybrid engine offerings that are available in South American markets, but even that is just speculative for the time being.

In terms of safety kit, the crossover can be had with up to seven airbags, and Toyota Safety Sense is available as well. TSS includes Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beam, Blind Spot Monitor, an around-view monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Meanwhile, its rival, the all-new Honda HR-V is also set to be launched in the US market. While the US-bound Corolla Cross won’t see much alterations done to it, reports say the North American version of the HR-V will be “designed to meet the distinct needs of US customers,” with primary adaptations made to the cabin.

Honda large project leader, Kojiro Okabe told Automotive News that the next-gen HR-V will be based on a slightly bigger platform with a more rugged styling. It could also feature a more upright rear end instead of the coupe-like proportions of the Japanese model, thus offering a roomier and more practical boot space. In 2020, Honda sold 84,027 units of the HR-V in the US, its fifth best-selling vehicle in the country.