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Toyota has doubled the Corolla’s popularity by transforming the Corolla into the type of vehicle that buyers want today.

Update September 12, 21: This comment has been updated as a test result.

The fact that Toyota calls its latest small crossover the Corolla Cross tells us what the automaker is trying to do here. This crossover version aims to please ordinary buyers with the same combination of reliability, practicality and efficiency as Toyota compact cars. Considering the current sales situation of any product with an increased ride height and plastic body covering, it is logical for Toyota to expand its product lineup to include small SUV variants.

You may be wondering if Toyota needs another crossover, because the automaker already sells seven SUV models in the United States, but Toyota believes that the Corolla Cross is a smaller, more stylish C-HR and a larger, more popular There is space between the RAV4. Toyota hopes that this gap will be beneficial to annual sales of 100,000 vehicles. In order to find buyers, Corolla Cross offers what C-HR lacks: harmless design, decent cargo space and optional all-wheel drive.

The pug’s face and some interesting creases on the side of the body try to make the design more vivid, but overall, the Corolla Cross has an anonymous SUV appearance. The basic L model starts at $23,410, and its wheel covers, manual climate control, physical keys and colorless windows are all very standard. Upgrade to LE ($25,760) and XLE ($27,540) trim to bring more styles of alloy wheels and chrome trim-and more equipment. Our fully-loaded all-wheel drive XLE test vehicle includes features such as an electric driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and blind spot monitoring. The list price is US$32,170. It’s worth noting that this is about what you pay for a well-equipped RAV4 with a larger interior space.

Inside, the dashboard is almost the same as you see in a Corolla sedan or hatchback. A 7.0-inch touch screen infotainment system is standard, and an 8.0-inch screen is optional; both have easy-to-use controls, including physical buttons and volume and tuning knobs. XLE provides two-tone artificial leather seats, which can imitate leather very well, but the interior atmosphere of Corolla Cross lacks the high-end appearance of modern Kona and Mazda CX-30. There is plenty of rear seat space, and the 27 cubic feet cargo area is higher than the C-HR's 19. Choosing all-wheel drive ($1,300) requires a higher cargo floor, which reduces the space of a few cubes. We put seven hand luggage in the back seat with the seat up, two more than the C-HR and three less than the RAV4.

Under the elevated cargo floor of the all-wheel drive version is a multi-link rear suspension that replaces the torsion beam setting of the front driver. Both versions have similar handling, the all-wheel drive model is slightly fixed at the corners. We measured 0.80 grams around the skateboard and Corolla Cross stopped at 70 mph within 172 feet. Suspension adjustments are more to solve bumps than corners. Excessive assisted steering and significant body roll will further erode the participation and pleasure of any driver.

The naturally aspirated 169-horsepower 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission is nothing fun, although a more powerful hybrid version is coming soon. This is good because the non-hybrid Corolla Cross does not reach a very good fuel economy rating. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the front-wheel drive version has a total fuel capacity of 32 mpg, which is 3 mpg lower than the Corolla hatchback. In the basic Corolla Cross equipped with all-wheel drive and 17-inch wheels, we only reached 30 mpg in the real-world 75 mph highway fuel economy test; the EPA highway is estimated to be 32 mpg. The Corolla Cross weighs 3384 pounds, which is about 355 pounds heavier than the last Corolla hatch we tested, which is of no avail.

The throttle is sluggish, the engine hums in the high-speed range, and merging into the highway requires a certain degree of patience. It takes 9.2 seconds to reach 60 mph, and 17.0 seconds to reach a quarter mile, which is slow even at such low standards. Shoppers who want more power will find it in the faster but more expensive Kona, CX-30 and Kia Celtos turbocharged versions.

In addition to the more expensive SUVs, the Corolla Cross's base price of $23,410 places it in a market segment that is not as cruel as the next level. Honda HR-V, Chevrolet Trax and other ultra-small models have achieved great success in sales. Corolla Cross has provided enough refinement, space and value to guarantee sales of 100,000 vehicles. A good start for the next 50 million Corollas.

2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE AWD Vehicle type: front engine, all-wheel drive, 5-seater, 4-door station wagon

Basic price/tested: US$28,840/US$32,170 Options: JBL speaker, US$1465; convenience package, US$1250; adaptive headlights, US$615

Engine DOHC 16 valve Atkinson-cycle inline-4, aluminum block and cylinder head, port and direct fuel injection displacement: 121 in3, 1987 cm3 Power: 169 hp @ 6600 rpm Torque: 150 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

TRANSMISSION Continuously variable automatic 1 fixed ratio

Chassis suspension, front/rear: strut/multi-link brake, front/rear: 12.0 inch ventilated disc/11.1 inch disc Tire: Goodyear Assurance Finesse 225/55R-18 98V M+S

Dimensions Wheelbase: 103.9 inches Length: 175.6 inches Width: 71.9 inches Height: 64.8 inches Passenger volume: 89 feet 3 Cargo volume: 24 feet 3 Curb weight: 3384 pounds

C/D test results 60 miles/hour: 9.2 seconds 1/4 mile: 17.0 seconds @ 83 miles/hour 110 miles/hour: 39.9 seconds The above results omit 0.3 seconds of 1 foot rollout. Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 9.6 seconds Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.7 seconds Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.0 sec Maximum speed (C/D est): 120 mph braking, 70–0 mph: 172 ft road keeping, 300 ft anti-slip mat: 0.80 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY (all-wheel drive, with 17-inch wheels) 75 mph. Highway driving: 30 miles/gallon. Highway mileage: 390 miles

EPA Fuel Economy Comprehensive/City/Highway: 30/29/32 mpg