The Toyota Corolla Cross made its debut locally late in 2021 and the Japanese automaker added a GR-Sport or GR-S derivative earlier in 2022. The crossover model can be had with either a naturally aspirated powertrain or one that is bolstered by a hybrid system. For this article, we will be comparing both powertrain setups with those of some of its close competitors to find out how the performance is.
Looking to purchase a Toyota Corolla Cross? Search for new or used Toyota Corolla Cross models on AutoTrader here and if you are considering selling your current car to cover the deposit, get an obligation-free Instant Offer on your car here. For now, let us jump in and see how well it performs.
Related: Which Toyota Corolla Cross trim depreciates the fastest?
Performance comparison
Below we will be comparing some of the performance figures of the Corolla Cross in normally-aspirated and hybrid form with that of the Mitsubishi ASX and Subaru XV.
| Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 GR-Sport | Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XR | Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 Aspire | Subaru XV 2.0i | |
| Engine | 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder petrol | 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol-electric hybrid | 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol | 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol |
| Transmission | 5-step CVT | 5-step CVT | 5-step CVT | 5-step CVT |
| Power | 103 kW | 90 kW | 110 kW | 115 kW |
| Torque | 172 Nm | 142 Nm | 197 Nm | 196 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | N/A | N/A | 11.5s | 10.4s |
| Top Speed | 185 km/h | 170 km/h | 190 km/h | 194 km/h |
*This tablet was compiled with information sourced from www.duoporta.co.za and was correct at the time of writing the article. Specifications and figures can change at any time and without notice.
Verdict
The competitors selected in this comparison are purely based on segment and price. And as can be seen in the figures listed in the table, both the Mitsubishi and Subaru manage to outperform both the naturally-aspirated and hybrid variants of the Toyota Corolla Cross, however, not by much. Thus, the Toyota Corolla Cross has respectable performance figures for the segment that it competes in, however, all variants are aimed towards practical and frugal use, not quite performance. If performance is what you are looking for, perhaps a GR Yaris, GR Supra or GR86 is better suited.
