Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XR (2025) Review - Best-Selling Just Got Better
Since its release in 2021, the Toyota Corolla Cross has become a runaway success, topping charts for not only the best-selling SUV in SA, but the best selling Hybrid as well. It's 2025 update sees it improved even more.
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When the Toyota Corolla Cross was launched in 2021, few thought it would be the runaway success that it has been. It entered the market when crossovers and compact SUVs were gathering steam, and as the Chinese onslaught gathers momentum. Despite this, the locally built Toyota has won the hearts of the South African consumer, and sufficient time has passed to allow it to receive an update.
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It's a small update compared to what you may see from other firms, but this is the Toyota way, and you seldom see a radical transformation. There was no real need to change anything, though, as in the four years that have passed, the original Corolla Cross has remained a solid choice and one that most motoring journalists will recommend when faced with the question of "What car should I buy?"
Styling
The front bumper and lower air dam are the Cross's most prominent changes. The large, open mouth of the predecessor makes way for a geometric design with a trapezoidal motif that blends into the bumper sides. The lower section retains the trapezoidal look that we've come to love in the Cross and is complemented by a bright lower skid-plate section to highlight its rugged nature.
The other significant change is in the headlights, with the XR and GR-S models receiving bi-beam LED units with crystal-like LED daytime running lights. This seemingly small change has a great effect, with the dark housings showcasing these new lights beautifully. These trim levels also get sequential turn signals.
Around the back, the taillights have also been revised with a tweaked design and new lenses that help keep the Cross looking fresh and contemporary. Two new colours are now available: Brass Gold and Oxide Bronze. Our test unit, an XR-spec 1.8 Hybrid, was draped in a shimmering pearl white.
Space & Interior
The Corolla Cross remains practical and convenient, with generous space for both front and rear passengers. Part of the update sees the leather upholstery receiving a dark brown highlight strip and raised stitching around the instrument cluster and centre console lid. The rear seat passengers now benefit from reclining seats, allowing them to get the perfect seating position and making longer journeys more bearable.
The boot remains substantial at 440 litres, but the big improvement is an electronic tailgate on XR and GR-S trims with a foot-activated sensor for hands-free operation.
Comfort & Convenience
While not glaring, the convenience and tech features of the Corolla Cros have also been improved upon. The most noteworthy change comes from a larger touchscreen infotainment system measuring 10.0 inches. Supporting multitouch and sporting a new user interface, this system allows for seamless smartphone tethering with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You'll find it on the Xi, XR, and GR-S trims. It's complemented by a 12.3-inch digital driver display on XR and GR-S models, allowing for several screen configurations.
Further enhancements include USB-C ports, an electronic park brake that replaces the foot-brake system, a revised reverse camera with guidelines and a 360-degree view on XR and GR-S trims.
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Performance
The powertrains remain largely unchanged, still employing the 1.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and the Miller-Cycle 1.8-litre petrol engine with hybrid assistance. Power is sent to the front wheels through a CVT gearbox. These two powertrains produce 103 kW and 172 Nm torque and 90 kW and 142 (+163e) Nm torque, respectively.
I always maintained that at Reef altitudes, the non-hybrid versions provide the best bang for your buck, feeling a little more sprightly and eager when trying to overtake. It's not to say that the hybrid is underpowered, but spending time with the hybrid again allowed me to appreciate the self-charging, carefree nature of the Corolla Cross all over again.
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Fuel Economy
The Corolla Cross Hybrid's self-charging (series-parallel) system is not designed for outright performance, that's merely a fortunate side effect of the system, instead, it's geared towards efficiency which is best experienced in an urban setting, with stop-start traffic conditions. I could register a combined cycle consumption of 5.6 l/100km, which is not too far from the claims of 4.3 l/100km that Toyota provides, considering that I was leaving the vehicle in normal drive mode.
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Safety
The XR trim is fitted with the Toyota Safety Sense system, which includes driver aids such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-crash with front cross-traffic alert, and a Lane-Keeping System with Lane-Tracking Assist. The XR trim has 7 airbags, while lower models have 5.
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Price
The pricing of the Toyota Corolla Cross remains competitive, but the prices of the hybrid variants (XS, XR, and GR-S) have increased. While Toyota was comfortable initially absorbing some of the costs while waiting for a government bill to pass on green energy, the delay in that bill has resulted in Toyota having to hike the prices of the electrified versions.
Model | Price (incl. VAT) |
| Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Xi | R414 800 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XS | R452 200 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV XS | R494 400 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XR | R501 500 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 GR-Sport | R518 200 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV XR | R545 200 |
| Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 HEV GR-Sport | R561 700 |
Competitors
The Corolla Cross finds itself in a saturated segment, facing off against the established Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Honda HR-V, and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. On the Chinese front, there's lots to choose from as well, with the Haval Jolion Pro, Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, Omoda C5, and BAIC Beijing X55 all playing in this yard.
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Verdict
The Corolla Cross remains a steadfast choice, and it's easy to see why it's South Africa's second-best-selling passenger vehicle. The enhancements do exactly that: enhance it, and it's certainly one that I would be happy to park in my driveway after spending my own money on it. There's very little to fault it on and even less that you miss when driving it. The spec level of the XR is great, but I believe the real value can be found in the XS trim.
Hybrid or traditional ICE? I would still be inclined to spring for the regular ICE variant, even if the hybrid's fuel savings are appealing. This is mainly because I live in the oxygen-starved region of Gauteng. The Hybrid is the pick of the litter down at the coast, though.
