Immediately following the unveiling of the Toyota Corolla Cross in Thailand in mid-2020, the Japanese automaker said it had yet to make a decision on whether or not it would be sold in the United States. Fast forward to May 2021 and it looks like the vehicle has been given the green light to be sold stateside.
In fact, a heavily camouflaged prototype of the Toyota Corolla Cross was recently spotted on the streets of the U.S. by Auto News and while that alone isn’t enough to confirm that it will launch locally, the fact that the prototype had been equipped with amber turn signals is a pretty clear indication that it is being developed for the local market.
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The Toyota Corolla Cross won’t undergo any significant alterations for the U.S. As such, it can be expected to feature the same Toyota New Global Architecture C (TGNA-C) as the model sold in overseas markets. It is 4,460 mm (175.5 inches) long, 1,825 mm (71.9 inches) wide, and 1,620 mm (63.8 inches) tall. It also has a 2,640 mm (103.9 inch) wheelbase.
The main unknown regarding the U.S.-spec Corolla Cross relates to its engines. In Thailand, entry-level models come standard with a 1.8-liter petrol engine producing 140 hp and 129 lb-ft (175 Nm), driving the front wheels through a CVT. The Thai market is also offered the Corolla Cross in hybrid guise where it combines a 1.8-liter producing 98 hp and 105 lb-ft (142 Nm) with an electric motor offering up an additional 72 hp and 120 lb-ft (163 Nm) of torque. It’s too early at this stage to know if the U.S. will be offered these same powertrains.
