Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport

The new Corolla Cross GR-S has a straightforward dashboard layout. It features an all-black scheme with soft-touch padding on the panels. 

All the elements are placed logically and driver centric, for a better driving experience. Overall, the craftsmanship is premium quality, exuding elegance. 

It features a 4.2-Inch TFT Colour Multi-Information Display (MID) with a speedometer.

The five-seater’s interior sees an all-black leather with red contrasting stitching upholstery, which also has the GR logo embossed on the front seat headrests.

It comes with an eight-way power adjustable driver seat, manual adjustable front passenger seat, and sliding armrests. 

Whereas, the rear seats are 60:40 split foldable with one-step rear reclining feature, and rear armrests.

Cabin space is ample for front and rear occupants, as it offers plenty of head, shoulder and legroom. The space is very generous due to the bulbous design of the body. 

The easy-to-grip, multi-switches (Audio, MID, Telephone, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)), tilt and telescopic, three-spoke leather steering wheel with red stitching, comes upgraded with a new Electric Power Steering (Sport ECU) system, which is said to increase overall steering feel and response.

Numerous storage areas present include side door pockets, backseat pockets, compartmentalised storage areas in the centre console and a decent-sized glove box.

There are four cup holders. Two at the front’s armrests and another two at the rear’s armrests.

It comes with multiple outlets, consisting of one USB port and one 12-V power socket up front, and two more USB ports at the back. A wireless charging pad is optional.

Its powered tailgate (kick sensor) opens up to 440-Litres of boot space, more than enough for a couple of pet carriers and big suitcases. Plus, the roof rail fitted provides extra loading weight of up to 70 KG.

Weighing in at 1,405 KG, the new Corolla Cross GR-S stands at 4,450 MM long, 1,825 MM wide, 1,620 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,640 MM.

It exudes a blocky yet athletic exterior, featuring Toyota’s GR Sport radiator grille in gloss black, paired to a matching lower air vent.

The honeycomb mesh grille stretches across the front, and the bumper is also of a new design, featuring sporty contours with fog lamps at the edges.

The rear end’s design is neat and borderline bulbous. It is simplistic with smooth contours that aids to its overall appeal. 

It features a slim roof edge spoiler, and also Toyota’s GR Sport rear bumper with air diffuser that matches the rest of the black cladding on the body.

The headlamps are angularly shaped and have a focused design. Slanted inwards, they merge together with the grille’s top edges.

They are Bi-LED units with light curtains, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), Follow-Me-Home function and sequential turn signal.

Rounded yet pointed, the tail lamps contribute a lot of aesthetic to the rear layout, compensating the minimalistic style well.

The set comes in full LED units with light curtains. The clear lenses fitted aid to a very bold and distinct outlook.

The side mirrors are power-adjustable, and have auto fold with reverse link, signal lamps and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM).

It comes with a set of GR Sport Design, 18-Inch turbine-style, two-tone machined finish alloy rims, wrapped in 225/50 R18 tyres.

The new Corolla Cross GR-S features the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS), which includes Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) for All Speeds, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) for All Speeds, and Automatic High Beam (AHB). Others comprise of 3D Panoramic View Monitor (PVM), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

Passive safety includes seven airbags (front, front side, curtain shield, driver knee), seat belts with warning (front seats), two three-point ELR with pretensioner and force limiter (front seats), three three-point ELR and ISOFIX (rear seats), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), ultrasonic parking sensors (two front, four rear), Tyre Pressure Warning System (TPWS), Vehicle Telematics System (VTS), immobiliser, Digital Video Recorder (DVR) (front), and Toyota Premium Security and Solar Film.

There are four drive modes – Sport, Eco, Normal, and EV.

It is installed with a 9-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Miracast, live navigation, USB and Bluetooth.

The Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite of ADAS, along with the accompanying systems will make driving in the city or long distances a hassle-free endeavour.

It features a six-speaker setup.

Powering the new Corolla Cross GR-S is a 1.8-Litre four-cylinder, in-line, 16-valve DOHC with Dual VVT-i, 2ZR-FE petrol engine, producing 137 HP/103-KW at 6,400 RPM and 172 NM of torque at 4,000 RPM.

It gets a seven-speed CVT automatic with Sequential Shiftmatic transmission.

All power is sent to the front wheels, Front Wheel Drive (FWD)

Top speed is up to 185 KM/H.

It has a fuel tank capacity of 47-Litres, and has a fuel consumption rated at 6.67L/100 KM.

The new Corolla Cross GR-S comes with auto headlamps with Follow-Me-Home function, illumination system (front door, cup holder, centre tray), multi-function steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustments, an eight-way power adjustable driver seat, one-step rear seat reclining feature, armrests (sliding front, fixed rear), single-zone automatic climate control (front, rear), day and night interior rear-view mirror, 360-degree camera (PVM), ultrasonic parking sensors (front, rear), powered tailgate operation (kick sensor), and portable tyre pump.

There are rear air vents located at the rear centre console.

Upgraded with a setup of GR-tuned MacPherson strut with stabiliser and GR-tuned torsion beam with stabiliser, making the ride quality solid, agile and responsive.

Overall, it is spacious, firm and safe, and the seats are supportive and well-bolstered, offering a sporty driving dynamic.

It has good sound insulation, covering all the NVH aspects, and there are no abnormal wind issues at any speed.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport offers a thrilling new side to the Cross line-up, with its new GR Sport inspired design and new performance dynamic.

Its exterior is striking with harmoniously sharp proportions and powerful contours, while the interior is premium built with quality materials and refined detailing. 

Then, new performance upgrades featuring GR-tuned parts, makes the already great to drive SUV even more engaging, and the suite of ADAS is a major bonus. 

Overall, the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport is satisfactory, especially with all the bells and whistles it comes with at the price offered.