SUV much more Corolla for your money

• Published date: 02 June 2023
• Publication title: Oamaru Mail

Even with the AWD, this premium model is battling for traction to navigate around high global demand. This makes it super hard for those who want to get their hands on one (and plenty do), any time soon. Toyota NZ has closed its order book for both the front and all-wheel-drive Limited, the latter the version being put through its paces in this road test

Launched here in the final quarter of last year, the Corolla Cross has been an instant hit. Not bad for a car that’s been available in the United States and other global markets for three years.

Despite this, Toyota here is bullish about this model’s prospects once current supply constraints ease over the next 12-18 months and is confident it will become the No1-selling Corolla here. Currently the only Corolla Cross you could potentially have on your drive this side of Christmas is the entry-level GX.

In SUV guise, you get much more Corolla for your money. It blitzes its hatch, sedan and wagon siblings in the space race with its superior load and passenger space, practicality and better all-round visibility offered by its greater ground clearance. In terms of size it fits snuggly between Toyota’s ageing C-HR and larger RAV4. The entire Corolla range, apart from the high-performance and even higher buyer demand GR hot hatch, are now hybrid petrol/electric. An all-electric model is expected to join the Toyota NZ family by the end of the year.

The Corolla Cross is supremely frugal with a claimed 4.8L/100km for the front-wheel-drive models and 4.9L/100km for the AWD Limited. Until the end of June, Corolla Cross owners are eligible for a rebate under the Government’s Clean Car Discount Scheme. Depending on the model this can range from $1140 and $3108.

From July 1, scheme changes mean most hybrids are no longer eligible for a rebate as they won’t meet the new 99gm/km threshold for a reduced rebate, and instead become fee-neutral. For some this may take the gloss of hybrid vehicle ownership or simply put it out of reach.

First step on the three Corolla Cross model ladder is the $41,990 front-wheel-drive with the higher-spec GXL retailing for $44,990. The high-grade Limited is the only version offered in both front and AWD forms, and priced at $48,990 and $51,990 respectively.

There are opportunists looking to profit from those wanting to avoid long wait times, by offering 6-month-old models for anywhere from $4000 to $6000 above the price of a new one.

The Limited has many more features than its two siblings...