2025 Toyota Corolla Cross can now be had in Mazda’s Soul Red Crystal – but only in the United States

Carmakers are quite rightly proud of the colours they formulate specifically for their cars. History is littered with iconic hues that have defined the car they’re painted on, and sometimes even entire marques. We’re talking about such names as Rosso Corsa, Speed Yellow and Papaya Orange, which are so recognisable to the average enthusiast we don’t even need to tell you which brands they’re associated with.

As a result, car colours generally don’t migrate across brands, and even if they do, they’re usually part of a bespoke programme and cost an arm and a leg to option (see BMW Individual or Porsche Paint to Sample). Which is why it’s so bizarre to see Mazda give away its prized Soul Red, a key part of its hugely successful Kodo design language, to another make so easily – and to Toyota at that!

That’s right – the world’s largest carmaker has announced that for 2025, its Corolla Cross will add Soul Red Crystal to its colour palette, replacing Barcelona Red. As part of the model year change, the deep ruby shade can be optioned with a black roof, as can Wind Chill Pearl. Black door mirror caps have also been added, as has Toyota’s new Beyond Zero blue roundel badge on Hybrid models.

Now, before you go ordering your new Corolla Cross in Soul Red, we should point out that this is only offered in the United States, and only because the car is built at the same Mazda Toyota Manufacturing factory in Huntsville, Alabama as the CX-50.

When asked by The Autopian if this is the exact same colour as Mazda’s signature three-layer paint, Toyota sent a statement reading: “Adding Soul Red Crystal to the colour palette gives us this opportunity due to our partnership with Mazda at our joint plant, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville, AL.”

It should be noted that Mazda and Toyota have a long history of working together, so this is nothing new. The latter has provided its Hiroshima rival with its pioneering hybrid system for the CX-50, as well as its Yaris to be rebadged as the Mazda 2 for Europe. The two firms are also in an alliance (together with Subaru) to develop next-generation internal combustion engines, working towards carbon neutrality.

It’s also important at this juncture to stress that the US has yet to receive the facelifted Corolla Cross that Malaysia has just gotten. The refreshed model was launched last week at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show (KLIMS) with a new front bumper, redesigned lights and some kit upgrades. Available in 1.8 litre petrol and hybrid variants, it is priced from RM133,800 to RM148,800.

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