2021 Toyota Corolla Cross launched in Malaysia – two variants, 1.8L with 139 PS and 172 Nm, CVT; fr RM124k

2021 Toyota Corolla Cross launched in Malaysia – two variants, 1.8L with 139 PS and 172 Nm, CVT; fr RM124k

This is it. The 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross has finally made its Malaysian debut, and it’s available here in two flavours. The entry-level 1.8G is priced at RM124,000, while the top 1.8V goes for RM134,000. Included in the price is the standard five-year unlimited mileage warranty.

According to UMW Toyota Motor, the first batch of Corolla Cross is fully imported from Thailand. Being CBU units, the pair only benefits from 50% sales tax exemption. Beginning the second half of the year, the Corolla Cross will be locally assembled at the Bukit Raja plant, making it the first TNGA-based car to be assembled in the country.

As the name implies, the Corolla Cross is a C-segment crossover designed for the ASEAN region, although its size and price positioning means it mainly targets the Honda HR-V, which is classified as a B-segment SUV.

The Corolla Cross also rides on the TNGA-C platform, with power coming from the 2ZR-FE 1.8 litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with Dual VVT-i. It develops 139 PS at 6,400 rpm and 172 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, with drive sent to the front wheels through a CVT with Sequential Shiftmatic (seven virtual speeds).

Unlike the C-HR it replaces, the Corolla Cross uses a torsion beam rear setup as opposed to the more expensive double wishbone suspension. The front is managed by a MacPherson Strut suspension, so that remains the same. It has a turning radius of 5.2 metres, which Toyota said is best in class.

Equipment-wise, the entry-level 1.8G gets halogen projector headlights with bulb-type daytime running lights, LED fog lamps, 17-inch twin five-spoke wheels wrapped with 215/60 profile Bridgestone Alenza tyres, and LED combination tail lights.

Moving up to the 1.8V gets you bi-LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, 18-inch dual-tone alloys shod with 225/50 series Michelin Primacy 4 rubbers, a nicer pair of LED tail lights, as well as acoustic laminated windshield. Both variants get powered tailgate with kick sensor, as well as powered wing mirrors with LED turn indicators and blind spot monitoring.

While the exterior looks nothing like the Corolla sedan, the resemblance becomes apparent when stepping inside the cabin. The dashboard design is almost identical, but the Corolla Cross gets its own instrument panel design.

Here, the speedometer takes centre stage, and to the left of it is the tachometer. A 4.2-inch colour multi-info display sits on the right, offering access to a multitude of information and functionalities, including controls for the Toyota Safety Sense system.

Standard equipment include a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel (tilt and telescoping adjustments), black leather seat upholstery with perforation, single-zone automatic climate control, and a very responsive nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Miracast functionalities. This is the same head unit that was introduced on the Corolla sedan in June last year.

Both variants also get an eight-way power adjustability for the driver seat (no memory function; manual for front passenger), centre armrest with a sliding top, twin cubbies up front and at the back, a 12-volt outlet in the centre armrest, rear centre air vents, and two USB Type-A charging ports (2.1 A) just below that. A foot pedal parking brake is also standard – no electric parking switch here.

The Corolla Cross offers 440 litres of space, which is just slightly bigger than the Honda HR-V’s 437-litre volume. The rear bench features a 60:40 split, has six degrees of incline adjustability, and can be folded flat to increase loading space.

2021 Toyota Corolla Cross launched in Malaysia – two variants, 1.8L with 139 PS and 172 Nm, CVT; fr RM124k

For safety, the 1.8G variant gets the aforementioned blind spot monitoring as standard, as well as rear cross-traffic alert, passive cruise control, tyre pressure warning system, seven airbags, plus front and rear parking sensors (two front, four rear). A 360-degree surround view camera and front-facing dashcam are standard, too.

However, the 1.8V is the only one to get Toyota Safety Sense, which comes with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, adaptive cruise control (upwards of 30 km/h only), and automatic high beam. The Corolla Cross also achieved five stars in the ASEAN NCAP crash test.

There are five colours to choose from – Red Mica Metallic, Nebula Blue Metallic, Metalstream Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Graphic Metallic. Extras include a rear-facing dashcam (RM350) and a Qi wireless smartphone charging tray (RM520).

Also included as standard is the Vehicle Telematics System (VTS). It’s a three-year complimentary subscription service that allows owners to track the vehicle via GPS signals should it get stolen. Information such as engine ignition status and vehicle speed will be made available via this system, and a 24/7 command centre will help locate and recover the vehicle. So, would you pick the Corolla Cross over its rivals? Let us know, below.

GALLERY: 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8V

GALLERY: 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8G

GALLERY: 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8G Media Drive

GALLERY: 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8V Official Photos

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Matthew H Tong

An ardent believer that fun cars need not be fast and fast cars may not always be fun. Matt advocates the purity and simplicity of manually swapping cogs while coping in silence of its impending doom. Matt's not hot. Never hot.

 

Comments

  • M & B on Mar 25, 2021 at 8:41 pm

    Nice

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 9
    • Calvin on Mar 25, 2021 at 9:45 pm

      Corolla Cross that is more expensive than sedan version? Had they been cheating us with over the top prices for the sedan all these while?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 25
      • Corolla Cross is not really that expensive. Like 1.8V, when launching to Malaysia, it will cost RM134k as stated as SST tax while 1.8G cost around RM128k with SST tax which is more cheaper than Corolla.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 29 Thumb down 3
        • Civic Turbo 2018 on Mar 26, 2021 at 2:35 pm

          If no discount, U will see passenger cars champion still be HONDA, YOUR POWER OF DREAMS!

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 15
    • Calvin on Mar 25, 2021 at 9:45 pm

      Corolla Cross that is more cheaper than sedan version? Had they been cheating us with over the top prices for the sedan all these while?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 14
    • Civic Turbo 2018 on Mar 25, 2021 at 10:52 pm

      Wait you see the new-HRV

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 40
    • My dream car is here

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 3
    • X70 Buyer on Mar 26, 2021 at 12:34 am

      For this price the X70 is a far far better car to get. No regrets.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 36
      • But depends on people’s choice. Both X70 and Corolla Cross are good. Important is Aftersales service and quality

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 33 Thumb down 2
      • Brain pls on Mar 26, 2021 at 9:36 am

        Compare Toyota reliability with Geely ? Brain pls

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 34 Thumb down 8
        • Lolwhut? on Mar 26, 2021 at 10:41 am

          Does that Geely comes with killer airbags, stuck carpets, unqualified inspection done, lying fuel consumption figures, and premature malfunctioning fuel pumps?
          Some said these are “features” we can’t get from other brands so I want to know.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 4
        • jusknittin on Mar 26, 2021 at 5:20 pm

          Care to elaborate what do you mean by “reliability”? Because if the reliability that you’re talking about is something like “Toyota cars are reliable when you want to drive from point A to point B”, that means all other cars; regardless of brand; are also reliable.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5
        • WOO WT on Jul 21, 2021 at 3:17 pm

          Hi joe, obviously you have not driven the X70 for the last 2 years. Go test it .

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Impressive car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 8
  • Jia Ren on Mar 25, 2021 at 8:43 pm

    Bring it on

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • Green Dog on Mar 25, 2021 at 8:46 pm

    Awesome

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 5
  • So sporty

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 4
  • SL Chong on Mar 25, 2021 at 8:53 pm

    Will they be bringing in the Corolla Cross Hybrid? That’s the one I’m interested in. Thanks

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 10
  • (like) Honda Hrv
    (dislike) Corolla Cross

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 75
    • HRV is more for 4 person. The fifth passenger will have to endure head bumping against the roof.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Betadine on Mar 25, 2021 at 8:56 pm

    Beauty C segment here.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 7
  • Leping on Mar 25, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    Kudos Toyota…..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 5
  • McManners on Mar 25, 2021 at 9:00 pm

    Really love this car. Test drove it Thai last year. Overall looks nice and fresh.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 6
  • Venza on Mar 25, 2021 at 9:09 pm

    Impressive

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 2
  • Drinker on Mar 25, 2021 at 9:10 pm

    Handsome looker

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 7
  • very nice

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 5
  • Truth on Mar 25, 2021 at 9:24 pm

    Value buy, well done Toyota

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 7
  • Dinkin on Mar 25, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    Cute car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 3
  • Looking at the description, only 1.8G is SST exempted. So will the price increase after that? Is it mean 1.8V only available 1st July?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Artemis on Mar 25, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    Who uses a foot pedal brake in this day and age?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 5
  • Nobel on Mar 25, 2021 at 9:46 pm

    More worthy car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 4
  • Asyura on Mar 25, 2021 at 10:03 pm

    Solid

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 3
  • Game-Changer on Mar 25, 2021 at 10:28 pm

    A real game changer. Good competition with CX-30. Both cars are good

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 3
  • Zhafri on Mar 25, 2021 at 10:35 pm

    Very smooth looking car, not sharp as CHR, X50
    But my personal thinking still corolla is for uncle type

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • Yamseng on Mar 25, 2021 at 10:36 pm

    Looks better and with TNGA

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • So so only. No suprise

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 13
  • Levin on Mar 25, 2021 at 10:55 pm

    For that price range, UMW could have done better with downsized turbo engine. I mean cmon, a few years back when CHR was launched there was turbo variant in our neighboring Thailand. While Malaysians get the non turbo version at a steeper price?
    At RM124k-134k, people would be expecting a turbo engine and if it’s not for tax holiday, prices would shoot up even more.
    The next gen HRV is in the making, and you can count on Honda to bring in the turbo engine.
    Good luck UMW

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 24
    • What’s wrong with you keep on harping on turbo engine like it is the end of the world?
      You have to keep in mind that Toyota buyers’ profile are more slanted towards reliability and comfort. Performance is not that important criteria. So, you are in the wrong forum mate. Please discuss your Turbo engine in other brands forum.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 15
      • Toyota is non comfort car and engine is underpower

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 22
        • You should experience yourself for driving this Corolla Cross

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 4
      • Levin on Mar 27, 2021 at 1:25 am

        Jonb, if you’re a Toyota salesman trying to lure customers in… take a look at how’s Toyota selling in other countries and what types of engines they offer there. Yes, they offer turbo for selected vehicle models, but over here almost none? (except for GR Yaris & Supra)
        Anyways, Toyota used to be focused on performance but since you feel that performance is “not that important criteria”, most of the buyers have shifted to other brands that offers performance without compromising reliability and comfort. Moreover, newer Toyota models sold here isn’t as much reliable compared to other brand. Just try to search Paultan as to how many recalls Toyota made in the past years.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 9
        • So if you say toyota isn’t as much reliable as other brands, you should experience more on driving newer toyota cars, it is proven reliability bro and no one ever complain about it so far. Well, tbh, just very example, heard that people complain about Civic and CRV based on quality parts, even they also complain about the plastic quality and exterior issues on based on City.

          And talking about recalls is very common, not only this brand, even Honda, Nissan, Ford, BMW, Mercedes also have same recalling issues if you go through from past years till now. But anyways, this brand reliability is getting better. And yet tbh, even some of other brands are also trying to lessen issues to improve their reliability. So think about it bro.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Accord Is Here on Mar 25, 2021 at 11:22 pm

    Front is bold and aggressive looked, but rear is lame and boring. Guess got 2 designers here

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 10
  • Good

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 4
  • Tricycle on Mar 26, 2021 at 2:22 am

    Everything else is perfect for this price range. Too bad it doesn’t come with LSF function during the traffic jam.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
  • Greeensill on Mar 26, 2021 at 7:19 am

    Nice….thanks toyota

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 4
  • powerbank on Mar 26, 2021 at 7:37 am

    Toyota all the way

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 6
  • Blue-ray on Mar 26, 2021 at 7:49 am

    Good car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 5
  • sonyman on Mar 26, 2021 at 9:08 am

    haiya,

    So Cheap,, wrong Price.

    Should be at least 170 to 180k for malaysians.

    Wasted, UMW can milk more money dont want, …..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 20
  • For those who like a Toyota pickup front, and dislike a Toyota pickup end.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 12
  • Ben Yap on Mar 26, 2021 at 9:49 am

    more expensive than the HRV. better get the HRV since performance about the same and save the rest of the money.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 16
  • Choong Khim Fen on Mar 26, 2021 at 11:30 am

    Does the android auto work now? Or have to wait for official android auto launch in Malaysia

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • It’s going to be fun when driving this

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • Feel that people will be more interested in this

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Inspiron 13 on Mar 26, 2021 at 12:29 pm

    Wonderful specs

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Crt monitor? Whats with that big piece of plastic behind the screen…. Other than that it’s a nice car. But i hate suvs because they are big and clumsy, and tall vehicles blocks the road ahead. Saloons were once cheap and suvs are expensive, now its the other way round

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • See Hong on Mar 26, 2021 at 1:28 pm

    It’s a shame they launched 2 variants 1.8G and 1.8V but only the G variant is available. The V variant is a better buy.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Many people look down on the 2ZR-FE engine. Do you know that Lotus supercharged this 2ZR-FE and put into their Elise? The Elise Cup 260 can produces 250bhp, 0-100 less than 4 seconds! So this is a well tested and proven engine.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • Duong Minh Tan on Mar 26, 2021 at 3:13 pm

    So..no Hybrid?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
    • Hybrid coming later this year. Anyways, this fully imported Corolla Cross gasoline engine is still got good power.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • david on Mar 26, 2021 at 3:16 pm

    Nice car. Interior should look better and add more soft material. Hate the leg hand brake. Overall T brand still sell good

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Another boring and over priced car from UMW Toyota.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 5
  • tatu880 on Mar 29, 2021 at 8:32 am

    Its not ugly, but its not pretty as well..

    At least its an alternative to the ageing Honda HR-V.

    The only reason I would pick this car is because of the gorgeous blue colour. We need more interesting car colour options in Malaysia!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Red looks nice to me.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Torsion beam really?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
  • Nicholas Liew on Apr 01, 2021 at 7:36 am

    100,000+ price but only get foot brake… hmmm

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • James on Apr 09, 2021 at 12:12 pm

    Nice but improve on the clearance. Also the interior must be improve to increase it looks.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • James on Apr 09, 2021 at 12:15 pm

    Nice but improve on the clearance. Also the interior must be improve to increase it looks. The price must be reduce.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • subrachi on Apr 15, 2021 at 11:17 am

    Toyota cross 1.8 price very high and nothing special
    car color not nice change proper color and reduce price …look like Thailand model.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • the engine bonet got cover ? for 1.8G i check at showroom no have. how about 1.8v?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • For that price, I would expect a decent engine cover to shield the eyes off the messy engine.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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