2026 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport Review

Approaching the Toyota Corolla Cross for the first time, we thought, ‘Wow! Yokohama Advans on a compact hybrid crossover’. But then this is the GR Sport model. It’s Toyota leveraging its Gazoo Racing spend, the GR badge now sprinkled over the regular range, adding a dash of sport to the more mundane models.

Does that make it more interesting to drive? It’s certainly got more stick in the bends, helped by the fact the GR also adds drive to the rear axle. For a compact crossover, it is quite dynamic. Clearly the GR tinkering to shore up the rear end helps temper the understeer. There’s even a semblance of life to the steering. It’s positively buzzing compared with most helms originating from China. The GR Cross tucks itself into the turns with genuine enthusiasm, and those Advans, while they add a little extra clamour to your highway progress, help it hold on. And the grip doesn’t disappear when it starts raining. It’s quite sure-footed with drive sent to the rear when extra traction is required. The AWD set up also adds a more capable wishbone type independent suspension, adding stability in the turns. Body roll is pretty tidy too thanks to GR specific shocks and retuned springs and bushes. Yet the ride is still perfectly tolerable. So, it’s pretty good then.

As to the hybrid powertrain performance, while it has a Sport driving mode, we didn’t notice much difference when we clicked the button (no need to delve into the touchscreen either). It’s better to whack the gear lever into the S mode, which makes the eCVT contraption operate in a narrower band (akin to shortening its overall ratio), so the whole operation is more responsive when you’re on and off the gas. There’s even a six-speed sequential ‘Shiftmatic’ system here, so you can flap the steering wheel paddles to mimic gearshifts if you really want to get involved. While the engine only contributes 112kW of power, once the electric motors add their output to the mix, this has a quoted maximum of 146kW. That’s the same as the regular Corolla Cross models. So while there’s no added firepower, the additional dynamic character is what you’re buying here. 

Even when you’re giving the pedal a good prodding, the 2.0-litre still doesn’t imbibe copious amounts of the precious liquid. Around town, the hybrid powertrain gets you up to speed briskly. Toyota never quotes an overall torque figure, but this pulls well away from stopped. And once you’re up to cruising speed, if you then ease off the throttle, the system endeavours to shut off the petrol component of the system as often as possible. And you should see consumption figures in the low 5L/100km bracket, dipping into the fours if you are more conscious of throttle inputs. The ride over city streets has a touch of Sports about it, you notice the bigger bumps thanks to the GR-specific 19-inch alloys and lower profile rubber, but it’s not harsh. 

The cabin set-up makes the Corolla Cross easy to run. The touchscreen is used for sat nav, telephone and media operations largely, while a good helping of buttons does the rest. For instance, the seat heater is easily turned on thanks to a dedicated switch. 

The steering wheel too has proper buttons for the active cruise, which works well, helped by lane centering on the motorway. Once we worked out how to kill an annoying alert that went off every time you approached an intersection, the active safety features, like the speed limit recognition, are otherwise helpful without driving you mad. The beepiest feature is the powered tailgate, sounding off loudly every time you use it 

Being the GR, you get seats with added bolstering, trimmed in suede and they are quite comfortable too. The Cross is more of a compact crossover, so don’t expect a whole heap of interior space. The rear doors could open out wider for easier access to the rear where the kids will find sufficient room, though adults might like a bit more leg room. The boot is well formed, though slightly smaller here than in the front drive models, the space reducing from 417L to 384. There’s no spare wheel and it’s only rated to tow 750kg.

As part of a comprehensive Toyota SUV line up, the Corolla Cross fits those that need something a bit bigger than the Yaris Cross and C-HR, while being that bit smaller than the RAV4. However, pricing sees the top GR Sport, complete with its two tone paint job, go for $55,990 (no haggling, all on roads included) putting it at the pricey end of the compact SUV spectrum. You could get a midspec RAV4 for the same money, for instance. For those that like the look, size and economy of the Corolla Cross, it starts at $45k for the GX.  

Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport
$55,990  /  4.6L/100km  /  106g/km
0-100 km/h 7.6s
Engine  1987cc  IL4 
Max power  112kW@6000rpm
Max torque  188Nm@4400rpm
Hybrid Output  146kW
Drivetrain  e-CVT, on-demand AWD
Weight (claimed)  1530kg