UMW Toyota Motor now have an affordable SUV in Malaysia and it’s called the Corolla Cross.
The Toyota Corolla Cross has been officially launched in Malaysia tonight. This new SUV model is built on the TNGA platform and is fully imported from Thailand for now. During a media drive event last week, Toyota confirmed that the Corolla Cross would be locally-assembled later on, possibly before the end of 2021 or early 2022.
For now, the CBU Thailand Corolla Cross is available in two specifications. The Corolla Cross 1.8G at RM124,000 and the Corolla Cross 1.8V at RM134,000. These are on-the-road prices without insurance. Oddly, the 1.8G gets the sales tax exemption but the 1.8V does not.
We’re not sure how this was worked out. In either case, the Corolla Cross 1.8G is available in showrooms immediately, while the 1.8V will arrive at a later date, but can be booked immediately.
Corolla Cross 1.8G vs 1.8V in Malaysia
Here’s how the two models differ in terms of specification.
- Tyres and wheels – 215/60 R17 (1.8G) vs 225/50 R18 (1.8V)
- Headlights – Auto, Halogen (1.8G) vs Auto, Bi-LED (1.8V)
- Taillights – LED (1.8G) vs LED with Light Curtain (1.8V)
- DRLs – Halogen (1.8G) vs LED with Light Curatin (1.8V)
- Windscreen – Laminated Glass (1.8G) vs Laminated Acoustic Glass (1.8V)
- Interior illumination – None (1.8G) vs Front door, cup holder, centre tray (1.8V)
- ADAS – None (1.8G) vs Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (1.8V)
- Pre-Collision System
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Auto High Beam
Malaysian Corolla Cross Standard Equipment
There’s still plenty of standard kit on the Corolla Cross 1.8G
- 7 SRS airbags (including driver knee airbag)
- Vehicle Telematics System (3 year free subscription)
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Tyre Pressure Warning System
- Rear Air Cond Vents
- Black Leather seats
- 9″ Display Audio system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto readiness
- 3D Panoramic View Monitor
- Digital Video Recorder
- 4.2″ Digital Multi-info Display
- Smart Entry and Start System
- Power tailgate with kick sensor
Both the Corolla Cross 1.8G and 1.8V also have identical engines and transmissions. Both are powered by a 1.8L Dual VVT-i petrol motor capable of 139PS and 172Nm of torque. The engine sends power to the front wheels via a CVT with 7-speed Sequential Shiftmatic through the gear selector.
The only real downside to the Corolla Cross is that it utilises a pedal-type parking brake, which feels archaic in this otherwise modern crossover. But then again, with the gear selector set in ‘Park’, you don’t really need to deploy the Parking brake.
Five colour choices are available:
- Red Mica Metallic
- Platinum White Pearl (RM800 cost option)
- Metalstream Metallic
- Graphite Metallic
- Nebula Blue Metallic
A 5-year warranty from Toyota is standard.
Driving the Toyota Corolla Cross in Malaysia
Last week, we got to briefly test drive the Corolla Cross 1.8G within the Selangor state. We found the car to be very competitive in its class. It’s larger and quieter than just about all of its Japanese rivals. The 1.8G is also competitively equipped versus its Japanese rivals. Handling was also surprisingly good. A while ago, we drove the Corolla sedan up Genting.
That car had a lower centre of gravity and independent rear suspension. Despite having a dynamic disadvantage compared to the sedan model, we found TNGA still redeemed itself due to its extremely rigid structure and communicative suspension. In fact, it stood heads and shoulders above its direct competitors in terms of dynamics, with less roll through the corners and less ‘elastic’ virtual CVT ratios. Comfort was also well sorted, despite moving to a torsion beam setup.
Here’s the press release with more information.
PRESS RELEASE
It is true. The long-awaited all-new Toyota Corolla Cross is officially on Malaysia shores! It goes on sale with effect from 25 March 2021, offering Malaysians a new and exciting SUV for urban and outdoor adventures.
Introducing the new Corolla Cross, UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K., said “In wasting no time, we are accelerating into 2021 with new drive and synergised mobility. The new Toyota Corolla Cross enters the ever-growing modern SUV segment, catering to a new generation of mobile adventurous consumers. We are confident that it will prove to be yet another winner as it is ideal for today’s active lifestyles.”
The new model, imported as a CBU model from Thailand, is available in two variants – Corolla Cross 1.8V and Corolla Cross 1.8G. They are priced from RM134,000 (without sale tax exemption) and RM124,000 (with sale tax exemption until 30 Jun 2021) in Peninsular Malaysia without insurance.
According to Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor, initial market studies have shown that there is a strong and positive response to this new type of Corolla.
“This response is not surprising as there is great demand for SUVs globally. As such, we will have this model assembled locally around the end of this year,” he said.
Although a member of the Corolla family, the Corolla Cross has entirely different styling from the popular Corolla Sedan. It has a bold design which indicates a sporty and fun-to-drive character with the functionality of a SUV.
Like many of the latest Toyota models, the Corolla Cross is built around the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), a structure and platform that allows more engineering flexibility and offers a number of benefits. With TNGA, a lower centre of gravity can be achieved to Improve stability while the highly rigid body enhances agility and ride comfort.
Compared to the Corolla Sedan, the Corolla Cross has a marginally shorter body with an overall length of 4,460 mm. However, it has 45 mm more overall width at 1,825 mm, and stands 185 mm taller at 1,620 mm. The extra height allows ground clearance to be raised to 161 mm.
Modern SUVs have a passenger car-like interior with all the comfort and convenience features, pioneered 25 years ago by the RAV4. The Corolla Cross continues with this concept, providing an urban space with a tough premium expression. Besides having a higher seating position, the extra height of the vehicle provides significantly better headroom than other competitor SUV models in the same class.
While the Corolla Cross 1.8G uses projector-type halogen headlamps, the 1.8V variant has Bi- LED units that give better illumination. The integrated Day Running Lights clearance lamps feature an intricate ‘light curtain’ graining for a unique, high-quality appearance. The same ‘light curtain’ feature can also be seen on the rear lighting units.
The overall colour theme for the cabin is black with black leather upholstery for the seats, while satin-finish paint is used to highlight ornamentation parts. LED illumination on the front door trim creates a high-quality feel and gives an advanced impression. To enable drivers of any size and height to achieve a comfortable position, the seat has 8-way Power Adjustment.
The instrument panel has a sporty appearance with a dominant speedometer in the middle and a 4.2-inch colour Multi-Information Display (MID). The large 9-inch panel in the middle of the dashboard serves as the display for the audio and infotainment system, as well as the image from the rearview camera. The system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ready so compatible smartphones can be linked to the infotainment system. Other connectivity options include USB mirroring, AUX and Bluetooth.
Besides the convenience of a Smart Entry & Push Start System to lock/unlock the doors and start/stop the engine, the Corolla Cross also comes with a Power Back Door with kick sensor that opens and closes automatically by just positioning a foot under the rear bumper which has a proximity sensor. This allows for handsfree operation which will be convenient when both hands are holding bags or other items.
The cargo area has a volume of 440 litres with the rear backrests raised. This can be expanded by folding down one or both backrests and when folded, the floor is completely flat. With both backrests down, it is possible to carry two road bicycles. To conceal the items in the cargo area, there is a tonneau cover which can be rolled up when not needed.
The Corolla Cross is powered by a 1.8-litre petrol DOHC engine with Dual VVT-i. This proven engine produces 139 ps of power at 6,400 rpm with 172 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. With the optimized fuel delivery system, the engine offers an excellent balance of power, agility and fuel efficiency.
The 7-speed Sequential Shiftmatic transmission (CVT) has improved performance with an electronically-controlled throttle to provide responsiveness, smoothness and quietness.
TNGA encompasses the chassis engineering as well and the suspension is designed to provide a fine-tuned balance of dynamic handling and stability with exemplary ride comfort. The highly- acclaimed handling of the Corolla sedan is also evident in the Corolla Cross and some of the characteristics have been optimized for the taller SUV. Furthermore, the 5.2-metre turning radius – best-in-class – parking and moving around easy.
At the same time, the increased ground clearance allows the Corolla Cross to handle rough urban roads with ease, not to mention flood conditions. Additionally, with an 18° approach angle, it can also travel over uneven terrain and up steep inclines, as well as easily cross over speedbumps with ease.
In the Corolla Cross 1.8V, Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) – a suite of integrated active safety systems to assist the driver – demonstrates Toyota Synergised Mobility. The safety systems in TSS 2.0 consist of a Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) and Automatic High Beam (AHB). These core technologies, which use a radar and camera, are complemented by other safety technologies such as a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and a Tyre Pressure Warning System (TPWS).
The Corolla Cross is also equipped with a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) at the front (optional for rear) enabling the owner to have a video record of the vehicle’s movements at all times. In the event of an incident, the recordings will be available as evidence. Every new Corolla Cross has a factory-installed security system that includes an engine immobilizer.
Additionally, a Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) can track the vehicle’s position using GSM/GPS signals. The owner can also monitor Ignition vehicle status and vehicle speed and if the vehicle is stolen, a 24/7 Command Centre will locate it and inform relevant authorities to recover it. In the event there is an impact detected, the centre will inform emergency services to provide assistance at the vehicle’s location. Owners of Corolla Cross will enjoy 3-years free subscription of the VTS.
Besides the high-strength TNGA platform, the structure of the Corolla Cross is engineered to withstand impact forces from all sides during an accident, reducing or preventing injuries to the occupants. In crash testing and technical evaluation by ASEAN NCAP, the Corolla Cross, as with many other Toyota models, has received a maximum 5-star safety rating.
Additionally, there are 7 SRS airbags around the cabin (including one for the driver’s knees) which will deploy and provide cushioning in severe collisions. ISOFIX points (with tether anchor) are also available in the rear outer seats for installation of compatible childseats, which are now required by law.
Also introduced during the online launch of the model were the two Corolla Cross Ambassadors – Diana Danielle and Danny Koo – who will be closely associated with the new model in advertising and promotional activities. Both are former racers in the Vios Challenge One-Make Series, and lead active lives that the Corolla Cross has been designed to support.
“Diana and Danny are celebrities well known to the Malaysian public,” said Mr. Ravindran. “We are happy to have them associated with the Corolla Cross. Diana has a bold personality and constantly breaks boundaries, which matches the Corolla Cross perfectly, while Danny reinvents his perspectives to go beyond his limitations – just like the way the Corolla Cross Reinvents the Rules.”
Customers can choose from an exterior colour line-up of five finishes – Red Mica Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Metalstream Metallic, Graphite Metallic and Nebula Blue Metallic. A full 5-year/unlimited mileage factory warranty is provided as well as assurance of nationwide aftersales support with ready availability of genuine parts.
The new Corolla Cross 1.8G is now available for viewing, testing and purchase at the showrooms of all authorised Toyota dealerships and UMWT branches nationwide. The Corolla Cross 1.8V will be available at a later date but bookings are accepted now. Bookings are also made available at its virtual showroom online.
For more information, the public can visit Toyota.com.my or call the Toyota freephone line 1- 800-8-TOYOTA (869682).
