Toyota Corolla Cross (US) review

Functionally, the interior of the Toyota Corolla Cross is fine, though it’s generally pedestrian overall. The initial impression is one of cost-cutting: synthetic-feeling textiles, hard plastic surfaces and piano black plastics.

We suppose it can be praised for being uncluttered, with most of the controls properly laid out. We’re sure it made sense to someone to make the volume controls two separate buttons flush at the bottom of the touch screen, but it feels frustrating when you keep changing the temperature during your favorite parts of Heart’s Barracuda. Ahem. Volume knobs continue to be a wheel that doesn’t require reinvention.

You’ll also likely find yourself fiddling with the volume more often than usual in the Corolla Cross due to the amount of road and wind noise that permeates into the cabin. These, plus the overly excitable 2.0-liter roaring to life (in either configuration), will have you compensating with your favorite tunes rather frequently.

Apart from the stuff that causes our curmudgeonly nature to flare up, the Corolla Cross’ cabin feels like it’s making the most of the 88 cu ft of available passenger cargo. Regardless of where you’re sitting, it doesn’t feel like much of a squeeze. When it comes to cargo, there’s 17 cu ft available behind the second row, and 44 cu ft if the second row is folded away.

What kind of tech is included?

The lowest trims include a seven-inch gauge cluster with the usual driver info, with an eight-inch touchscreen for all other functions in the dash. Mid-level trims have the option to upgrade to a 10.5in multimedia display while the top trims have this and a 12.3in digital driver display as standard equipment.

Higher trims also include USB-C ports for rear passengers, a wireless charging pad and the option of heated front seats.

In terms of safety, all trims get Toyota’s ‘safety sense’ system that includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic cruise control, lane departure alert and steering assist and automatic high-beams. Connected services are available across all trim levels, with most included on trial subscriptions of various lengths - the safety-focused of those have the most generous free periods.