The fully imported 1.8G Corolla Cross has left the showroom, but the 1.8V is still available.
Good news for the dozens of Toyota dealers around the country and for UMW Toyota this week as the fully imported first batch of the 1.8G Toyota Corolla Cross crossover is all sold out.
Launched just a week ago and with the media test drive also a week ago, the publicity surrounding this all new Toyota crossover and its attractive features and high safety equipment has tickled Malaysians away from its rivals. Even the once popular Proton X50 is feeling the heat of the Corolla Cross despite its RM22,000 price advantage.
So, what are the main reasons why this new Toyota is selling so well. Let’s start with its price. Its rivals are strong contenders. The Mazda CX-30 is priced from RM144,700 and the Geely Auto rebadged X50 Highline is priced at RM103,300. Meanwhile this new Toyota crossover is priced right in between at RM124,000.
The former segment leader, Honda HR-V which was recently updated with new cabin features retails for RM118,500, however it is starting to show its age and after seven years of sales success, Malaysians are waiting for the all new 2021 model HR-V (also known as the Vezel) which was unveiled in japan with a lot of social media buzz.
If you are reading and was about to place a booking for the Corolla Cross, please do not worry as the local assembled version is just around the corner and it will be put together at UMW Toyota’s brand new factory in Bukit Raja.
The sold out Corolla Cross was imported from Thailand and so quality standards with ASEAN assemblers are all 100 percent equal and the reason for local assembly in Malaysia is to take advantage of tax incentives from the Malaysian government and this is why the Corolla Cross pricing is rather attractive when you look at its long list of features and equipment.
Under the bonnet of this Corolla Cross is the same powertrain combination as in the current iteration of Corolla sedan. Meaning a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder that outputs 139 PS and 172 Nm of torque, which is mated to a 7-speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT that drives solely the front wheels.
As for its chassis meanwhile, this crossover (naturally) is based on the same TNGA-C platform that underpins its saloon counterpart, as well as the CH-R. Missing though from Corolla Cross is the double wishbone rear suspension that is to be found on those two models, with a simpler torsion beam setup taking its place instead here.
Moving up top and talking more about the exterior design of the Corolla Cross, it could be best summed up as being Corolla meets RAV4. With its swoopy Corolla silhouette topped off with a sprinkling of RAV4 macho-ness.
In terms of exterior features, the lower tier 1.8G variants feature halogen projector headlights, LED fog lights, LED combination rear lights and 17-inch alloy wheels. The higher trim level cars on the other hand gain bi-LED headlights, LED tail lights with a ‘light curtain’ effect, an acoustic laminated windshield and dual-tone alloys that are an inch larger in diameter.
Stepping inside, the interior of the Corolla Cross is in essence virtually identical to the sedan sibling. Though that really is no bad thing as it therefore means that this SUV comes well equipped with keyless-go, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, a 9-inch central infotainment display with Apple Carplay and Android Auto integration, a 4.2-inch digital combination cluster, single-zone automatic climate control with rear air-con vents and a powered tailgate with a kick sensor as well as a powered driver seat with 8-way adjustability and reclining rear seats with a 60:40 fold-down split.
Stepping up to the higher-tier 1.8V however nets interior ambient lighting and more importantly perhaps, the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 active safety suite. Bringing with it Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) upwards of 30 km/h, and Automatic High Beam (AHB) functionality.
Having said that, the lower tier 1.8G Corolla Cross isn’t exactly skint on the safety department either. Coming with a Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), a 3D Surround View Monitor (SVM), 7 airbags, front and rear parking sensors in addition a host of passive safety acronyms not to mention a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and Toyota’s Vehicle Telematics System (VTS).
Coming with a 5-year warranty and a choice of 5 colours: Red Mica Metallic, Nebula Blue Metallic, Metalstream Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Graphic Metallic, the Corolla Cross is now available for booking at all UMW Toyota dealerships nationwide or through the virtual showroom.
