We compare the new 2023 range lineup of the new Toyota Corolla Cross small SUV to see what specifications you gain walking up the variant hierarchy
The new Toyota Corolla Cross is now on sale in Australia and it’s set to become a mainstay in Toyota’s small SUV lineup, joining the Yaris Cross and the C-HR with RAV4-esque looks and hybrid power.
Choosing the right variant for your needs and wants can be tricky, so Chasing Cars has compiled this comparison to aid you on your car buying journey.
Let’s break down each variant of the new Toyota Corolla Cross – GX, GXL and Atmos – to see what is available with each.
GX
As the base variant of the Corolla Cross range, the GX is well equipped and includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch central touchscreen, a six-speaker sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.
Also standard on the GX is a reversing camera, an electric park brake and LED daytime running lights and headlights.
Toyota has an impressive Safety Sense system that is standard on the base GX and includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, lane-change assist, pre-collision AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, intersection turn assistance, emergency steering assist and automatic high beam.
GXL
If you’re looking at a GXL Corolla Cross, you will gain all of the standard equipment found on the GX plus black leather accented seats, a leather steering wheel and shift knob and dual-zone air conditioning.
One of the biggest changes for the GXL is the central touchscreen expands from an 8.0-inch screen to a 10.5-inch unit. Included in the infotainment is satellite navigation and a 360-degree camera.
Other additions you will gain over a GX include privacy glass, roof rails, ‘high-grade’ LED headlights, front fog lights and sequential indicators.
Atmos
The flagship Atmos variant builds even further on the specification above and includes large 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel and an eight-way electric driver’s seat.
The central screen gets a size bump, again, this time to a 12.3-inch unit and is paired with a nine-speaker JBL sound system. Wireless phone charging, a power tailgate, auto rain-sensing wipers, a panoramic sunroof and premium leather seats make the GXL the pinnacle of the new Corolla Cross range.
Eight colours are available for the Corolla Cross, including jungle khaki, lunar blue, moondust grey, atomic rush red and stunning silver.
Towing
The Corolla Cross is able to tow up to 750kg braked, however unbraked towing capacity can range from 725kg to 750kg depending on the variant.
Boot space
Boot space varies between variants, with a difference of up to 56 litres between the 2WD GX variant (436 litres) and the flagship Atmos AWD hybrid (380 litres).
Fuel economy
If you decide to choose the non-hybrid 2.0-litre powertrain, the combined fuel economy of the Corolla Cross is a claimed 6.0L/100km, or 1.7L/100km more than a 2WD hybrid Corolla Cross.
Hybrid models return between 4.3 and 4.4L/100km.
Performance
The flagship Toyota Corolla Cross, the Atmos, might have the most kit, but it is also the slowest, with a 0-100km/h time of 9.2 seconds. The GX and GXL are claimed to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.0 and 9.1 seconds respectively.
Several features are available as options, including bonnet protectors, cargo liner, weathershields, an integrated dashcam, a cargo barrier, all-weather floor mats and a first-aid kit.
Most importantly, a tow bar, towbar and wiring harness can be optioned for those wanting to pull a trailer.
Like many modern Toyotas, the new Corolla Cross is available with a fuel-sipping petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.
Across GX, GXL and Atmos variants, a hybrid 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine can be optioned – a $2500 step up from the non-hybrid 2.0-litre engine – and makes a combined 146kW of power.
The non-hybrid 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is also available and produces 124kW/202Nm.
All-wheel drive is also available at a $3000 premium on the hybrid-powered GXL and Atmos grades.
All prices listed are before on-road costs.
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