This will be UMW Toyota’s first locally assembled hybrid electric model
UMW Toyota Motor recently held the media test drive for the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, ahead of its official Malaysian launch this Friday, 14 January 2022. We now have full specifications for the SUV, which will be locally assembled in Bukit Raja alongside the pure petrol versions, the 1.8V and 1.8G.
Let’s start with the exterior. To set itself apart from the pure petrol stablemates, the Corolla Cross Hybrid gets “Hybrid” badging on the fenders and tailgate, as well as blue accents on the Bi-LED headllamps and the Toyota logo on the grille, tailgate and engine cover.
There are five colours offered for this variant, namely Celestite Grey Metallic (exclusive to the Hybrid), Silver Metallic, Red Mica Metallic, Nebula Blue Metallic and Platinum White Pearl.
Other exterior features are similar to that of the 1.8V. These include 18-inch alloy wheels, the aforementioned bi-LED headlamps, LED rear lamps, front and rear LED fog lamps, rain-sensing automatic wipers and roof rails that can withstand up to 70 kg of loading weight.
The layout of the interior is practically unchanged from the petrol variants but the Hybrid does get a seven-inch multi-information display (MID), automatic dual-zone climate control, an electrochromic rear-view mirror, drive mode buttons and blue accents on the carpet mat.
Elsewhere, it’s pretty much the same as the 1.8V and 1.8G variants. There’s a multifunction steering wheel, ambience lighting, black leather upholstery, 8-way power adjuster for the driver’s seat and 60:40 split-folding rear seats. The infotainment system features a 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six speakers.
Powering the Corolla Cross Hybrid is a combination of a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre petrol engine and an electric motor that generates a total system output of 122 PS. The former makes 98 PS at 5,200 rpm and 142 Nm at 3,600 rpm, while the latter provides an additional 72 PS (53 kW) and 163 Nm of torque. An E-CVT is tasked to channel the output to the front wheels.
Together with the 1.8V and 1.8G, the Hybrid variant comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense which comprises Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) and Automatic High Beam (AHB). Both the DRCC and LTA now operate at all speeds.
Other safety features include 3D Panoramic View Monitor, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Front Digital Video Recorder, seven airbags, Hill-Start Assist Control, Vehicle Stability Control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and six parking sensors.
We’ll have to wait until Friday for the official price but the Corolla Cross Hybrid is expected to be priced at around RM137,000. The vehicle itself will come with a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage while the hybrid battery, inverter and power management control will be covered by an eight-year, unlimited-mileage warranty. This can be extended for another two years for just RM2,950.
