- The deep shade of metallic red can be paired with a Jet Black roof.
- Toyota appears to have dropped Barcelona Red to make way for the new color.
- A handful of minor other tweaks have been made to the 2025 Corolla Cross.
I’ve long considered Mazda’s Soul Red Crystal paint one of the finest paint options offered by any car manufacturer. It perfectly complements the brand’s current range of models and their Kodo design language, accentuating the curves and shimmering under the sun. As it turns out, Toyota also likes Mazda’s special shade of red and is borrowing it for the 2025 Corolla Cross.
Toyota builds the Corolla Cross at the same Alabama plant where the Mazda CX-50 is made, and thanks to the close relationship between the two Japanese companies, Toyota is offering Soul Red Crystal for the gas-powered LE and XLE models, as well as the Hybrid SE and XSE. It’s the only model in the Toyota family sold with this color, and we suspect it’ll prove quite popular.
Read: Toyota Dealers Need To Inspect Almost 13,000 Corolla Cross Models Over Airbag Fault
In a statement issued to The Autopian, Toyota said: “Adding Soul Red Crystal to the color palette gives us this opportunity due to our partnership with Mazda at our joint plant, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) in Huntsville, AL.”
Unfortunately, Toyota hasn’t released any photos of the Corolla Cross sporting this new deep shade of red. What it has done is republish photos of the older 2023 Corolla Cross painted in Barcelona Red with a Jet Black Roof. Interestingly, Barcelona Red has been dropped from the palette, making way for the Mazda alternative. Several other colors are available for 2025, including Celestite, Jet Black, Wind Chill Pearl, Blue Crush Metallic, Sonic Silver, and Cypress, many of which can be contrasted with a Jet Black roof.
What Else Is New For 2025?
Beyond the paint update, Toyota has made a few minor adjustments to the Corolla Cross for 2025. Both the L and S grades come standard with matte black mirror caps, there’s a shark fin antenna across the range, and the AWD and HEV exterior badges have been repositioned.
Two familiar powertrains are still available. The first is a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder paired to a CVT. It musters up 169 hp and can be optioned with front- or all-wheel drive. Those seeking some extra performance and improved efficiency should go with the hybrid. It is effectively the Toyota Hybrid System that consists of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, a lithium-ion battery, and three electric motors, making for a total of 196 hp. For those who value both efficiency and a little extra pep, the hybrid is the obvious pick.
Pricing And Availability
The 2025 Corolla Cross is expected to roll into Toyota dealerships in late December 2024. Pricing for gas-powered models starts at an MSRP of $24,035 for the front-wheel-drive L grade. Hybrid models, meanwhile, begin at $28,395 for the AWD S grade and climb to $31,580 for the range-topping Hybrid XSE. Keep in mind, all prices exclude a $1,350 handling and delivery fee.
