Review: Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport – Fancy A GR-Badged SUV?

The local automotive market is now saturated with crossover SUVs, with almost every automaker in Malaysia churning out their own iteration. However, most folks nowadays are skewed towards compact SUVs that offer ample degree of practicality in a smaller footprint compared to the traditional bulky ones.

Amongst the slew of new compact SUVs available in the market, two old rivals stood up above the rest, offering the best balance of practicality and style to their respective models. Of course, we’re talking about the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Honda HR-V – probably two of the most sought-after B-SUVs in the market now. 

While both models are neck-to-neck against each other, we find that Honda’s B-SUV seems to garner more attention compared to the rivalling Toyota, partly due to the fact that it’s the newest amongst the two. Fuelling this sentiment further is the introduction of the sporty RS variant of the HR-V, which makes the standard Corolla Cross look rather bland in comparison.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport – the latest model to join UMWT's GR lineup

To combat this, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) endowed the Corolla Cross with the GR Sport treatment recently, giving this B-SUV a slew of sporty cosmetic tweaks to match against its rival. To match the sporty aesthetics, the GR Sport guise also grants the Corolla Cross with some mechanical tweaks, albeit in a milder way compared to the full-blown GR models.

Having piloted the Corolla Cross for a bit recently, which included an unplanned trip to the East Coast capital of Kota Bharu, we can truly say that the Corolla Cross GR Sport boasts more enough substance that make it a solid contender, and that’s despite lacking the torque-boosting electrified powertrain setup. Allow us to digress…

OVERVIEW

We get it. Appearance is a very subjective matter. However, we think it is universally agreeable that the Corolla Cross GR Sport holds a sportier appeal compared to its bare-boned twin. We’re more than certain that the GR Sport treatment bestowed on this B-SUV has garnered plenty of fans. 

The GR Sport treatment grants the Corolla Cross with a bevy of sporty touch-ups

Highlights of the GR Sport treatment includes the new gloss black-finished front grille and front bumper design, GR badges around the car, clear-tinted LED taillights, rear bumper accents, as well as the tasty 18-inch GR Sport wheels it rides on. There’s also the striking two-tone colourway to cap things off, featuring gloss black-finished roof, side mirrors, and rear spoiler that really sets things right.

The only GR badge visible on the exterior are the two on the front fenders, as well as one at the tailgate

If we were to nitpick, the GR Sport treatment on the Corolla Cross does appear ‘light’ compared to the Hilux GR Sport for instance – the Corolla Cross didn’t get the signature GR emblem on its front grille. Yes, the two-tone finished body and wheels look mint, but perhaps an all-black finish would’ve suited better, as proven by the GR Corolla hot hatch.

Nevertheless, this model still boasts styling upgrades that sees it stand as the better-looking offering over the standard Corolla Cross, and perhaps enough to sway people away from its bitter rival. 

ON THE INSIDE

On board, we’re happy to report that the GR Sport treatment continues here through the black and red colourway donned by cabin. Included too are GR Sport-badged black floor mats, and black leather-wrapped seats with GR Sport-embossed headrest up front. Beyond which comes relatively posh leather upholstery with sporty red pipe-stitching present in the steering wheel,  gear selector, as well as the dash.

The GR Sport's cabin is laced with black-and-red trims, as well as several GR emblems

On-board tech are also not too bad, and this includes the wired Android Auto/Apple CarPlay support

Tech isn’t too shabby either in this range-topper. Highlights include a 9-inch infotainment display, keyless entry and ignition, and a front Digital Video Recorder (DVR or ‘dashcam’). Take note, both the rear DVR and wireless charging pad present in our tester are optional. Critically, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, as well as a 360-degree parking view monitor are all present in said central display too.

While the drivers’ display is semi-digital, we still think this setup is somewhat bearable especially when you see the red-hued analogue gauges, with the only digital bits being the small 4.2-inch coloured TFT panel on the right side of the metre cluster.

Life in the rear seat is predictably pleasant to say the least, a fact largely fuelled by the reclinable seat back, and presence of rear air-cond vents plus two USB-C charging ports. Boot space is also respectable, with this supposed ‘sub-compact’ SUV offering 440 litres. 60:40 split-folding rear seats allows for further expansion when needed too.

While sporty, the red-laced steering wheel is not the GR Sport version like we've seen on the Hilux GR Sport

Unfortunately, like its exterior, GR Sport treatment for its innards appears equally mild. We say this simply because the only visible GR Sport badge present here is the engine start/stop button. Shockingly, this crossover doesn’t even get the GR Sport-badged steering wheel and key fob as the Hilux GR Sport does – a rather substantial miss on Toyota’s behalf, if you asked us.

Perhaps the black-and-red GR Sport theme is enough to entice some, though we still opine that the GR Sport treatment on board is indeed lacking in this otherwise respectably plus, versatile and very practical cabin.

DRIVING

Thankfully, the way this crossover drives does somewhat make up for the light exterior and interior treatment. There’s indeed some sporty driving to savour here, much of which stemming from the GR Sport chassis tuning that sees performance bracing added to the suspension system with re-tuned springs, and a recalibrated power steering module.

Who'd have thought carving corners with an SUV could be this fun?

These upgrades grant this SUV with significantly better driving dynamics and handling – something this writer discovered whilst traversing through the Karak Highway whilst on an unplanned ‘balik kampung’ weekend drive to Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Here, the chassis tuning detailed provided for a relatively planted driving feel – something the non GR-badged Corolla Cross variant doesn't possess.

While underpowered compared to its turbocharged and electrified rivals, the Corolla Cross GR Sport is still a fun car to drive!

Power delivery also felt quite smooth, but this is perhaps a reflection of the fact that the GR Sport treatment doesn’t include any powertrain tuning. Also, this is perhaps a typical trait of Toyota’s renowned robust CVT box when tasked at managing this crossover’s 1.5-litre 4-cyl mill and its 137 HP and 172 NM outputs. Though not as peppy as its turbocharged H-badged rival or its electrified hybrid twin, said mill doesn’t feel as if it lacks any grunt when tasked with propelling this 1,405 KG crossover. 

Perhaps the only thing missing here are a pair of steering-mounted paddle-shifters, so you won’t find this crossover giving you an impression of driving a manual-boxed GR sportscar. Surely, this isn’t a huge deal-breaker considering the powertrain has been left in stock form, meaning it will also return decent fuel economy should you drive it right – read: sensibly. 

All in all, the Corolla Cross GR Sport is indeed a fun SUV to drive, and one that’s capable of carving corners and climbing hills better than most of its peers. Perhaps giving the torquier hybrid powertrain from the Corolla Cross Hybrid would’ve done more justice to this enhanced drive dynamics and handling, but we’re still chuffed with this non-hybrid setup nonetheless.

SAFETY

While the Corolla Cross GR Sport does miss out on some key on board tech, at least safety wasn’t overlooked as this crossover gets Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) ADAS suite in full swing.

Several ADAS features can be engaged via the steering wheel-mounted buttons

The inclusion of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with slow mode (capped at 30 KM/H), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Blind-Spot Monitor (BSM), Lane-Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) with Steering Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), amongst many, is perhaps a relieving fact.

Though its resolution could be better, the 360-degree camera system with Park Assist is very helpful

Other standard safety features present include seven airbags, ABS with EBD, VSC and TRC. Furthermore, the presence of six parking sensors on top of the 360-degree parking view monitor mentioned only adds further to this sporty crossover’s credentials as a safe and convenient daily.

The Toyota Corolla Cross achieved 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating. Photo credit: ASEAN NCAP

Surely, all of these techs, combined with the cleverly engineered TNGA chassis, sees the Corolla Cross GR Sport earning a solid 5-star ASEAN NCAP crash-test rating. This ought to give any prospects with nearly unrivalled peace of mind on this front to say the least…

RUNNING COSTS & RELIABILITY

It goes without saying that Toyota’s reputation for reliability is nearly unquestionable. Fuelling this sentiment in this sporty crossover’s case is the fact that UMWT opted to give Malaysians this GR Sport-treated model solely in combustion form, which is a far simpler and proven mill when it comes to long-term robustness and reliability.

If that doesn’t convince you, then perhaps UMWT’s standard 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty coverage should seal the deal indeed. As for servicing fees, we reckon this simpler nat-asp mill will not be as costly to maintain compared to both its electrified hybrid twin and its turbocharged rival.

On the fuel economy front, a full tank of the Corolla Cross was more than enough for the writer’s impromptu weekend road trip the East Coast mentioned, which was a round-trip that covered roughly 500 KM. Each full fill-up of RON95 in this crossover’s 47-litre tank costs less than RM100, and said trip needed just one fill-up in between

Surely, if you seek greater frugality, then you’ll need this GR Sport variant’s hybrid twin, which will mean losing out on all the mild – but still very tasty – sporty treatment and enhanced driving dynamics detailed.

SHOULD YOU BUY ONE?

Seeking a robust  B-SUV that’s practical enough for the daily that wasn’t boring to look at or drive? Then the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport is indeed second to none. Yes, some of its rivals arguably offer better equipment and peppier powertrains, but this Toyota’s slight edge in terms of reliability and sporty driving is mightily convincing.

Sure, at RM142,000 on-the-road sans insurance, it’s no cheap ask either. This is especially true given that the range-topping and rivalling Honda HR-V 1.5 e:HEV RS costs just RM1,200 less. Nevertheless, we’re certain that this mildly sporty Toyota has got enough fans seeking for this balance between sporty driving and daily practicality.

SPECIFICATIONS

TOYOTA COROLLA CROSS GR SPORT 1.8