Toyota Corolla Cross launched in Japan – new looks, 1.8L petrol with Valvematic, 1.8L hybrid, from RM79k

Having already gone on sale in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and the Americas, the Toyota Corolla Cross has now made its way to its home market of Japan, where the crossover again slots in between the C-HR and RAV4. As previously reported, the car has been redesigned to give it a sharper and more assertive look.

Up front, the Japanese-market model receives a slimmer grille nestled within a protruding hexagonal section, flanked by revised LED headlights on the range-topping Z model. Here, the eyebrow-style daytime running lights are slimmer, leaving space up top for sequential LED indicators. The base projector headlights for the rest of the range remain but have been upgraded from halogens to LEDs.

Below them, the bumper has been re-profiled and features a larger lower grille that also forms the surrounds for the optional fog lights. The rear end has also been tweaked, featuring mildly-revamped taillight graphics and a new bumper with a slim chrome strip. The rest of the car, including the distinctive fender bulges and the window accent strip that leads into the rear windscreen, remains unchanged.

Also unchanged is the interior, sporting a similar horizontal dashboard design, freestanding infotainment touchscreen and seats as the regular Corolla sedan and hatchback. The cabin is illuminated in LEDs throughout to provide a “luxurious” yet “casual” appearance.

As per other markets, a seven-inch digital speedometer and a hands-free powered tailgate are available, while a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is fitted as standard (navigation optional).

The Corolla Cross also comes as standard with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition and automatic high beam. Pedal misapplication control and a reverse camera is also fitted on all but the base variant.

The Japanese-market Corolla Cross continues to ride on the GA-C variant of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) and feature MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a torsion beam at the rear. On Hybrid models fitted with E-Four all-wheel drive, the rear axle uses a double-wishbone setup instead.

The engine options are the same as in most other markets, albeit with a few changes. All models are powered by a 1.8 litre Dual VVT-i naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine, although the petrol version adds Valvematic variable valve lift. Despite this addition, the 2ZR-FAE only produces an additional 1 PS at 140 PS at 6,200 rpm, while torque has gone down by 2 Nm to 170 Nm at 3,700 rpm.

On the other hand, the Hybrid model pairs an Atkinson-cycle version of that engine – which makes 98 PS at 5,200 rpm and 142 Nm at 3,600 rpm – to a 72 PS/163 Nm electric motor, resulting in a total system output of 122 PS. E-Four models get another motor on the rear axle.

Equipped with a CVT as standard, the petrol engine delivers a fuel efficiency figure of up to 14.4 km per litre, while the Hybrid model is capable of up to 26.2 km per litre, both on the WLTP cycle. Additionally, the Japanese-market Hybrid also comes with a 100-volt AC power outlet for emergencies.

Pricing for the Corolla Cross in Japan starts from 1,999,000 yen (RM79,400) for the base petrol G “X”, rising up to 3,199,000 yen (RM120,700) for the Hybrid Z variant with the E-Four system.