Toyota's new Corolla Cross goes on sale in SA - pricing and specification announced

• The Toyota Corolla Cross has officially debuted in South Africa.

• Based on the Corolla Sedan, the Cross looks to offer customers more practicality.

• The Corolla Cross line-up is competitively priced and offers two hybrid models.

• For more motoring stories, visit Wheels24

The much-anticipated Toyota Corolla Cross has officially launched in South Africa. With a starting price of under R350 000, the new crossover looks to offer South Africans the practicality associated with this body style while continuing the trust the Corolla badge has garnered over 12 generations.

The Corolla Cross joins the existing Corolla family that comprises the sedan, hatchback, and Quest. The latter is the more affordable option in the family, having been built on the eleventh-generation Corolla.

Another aspect of the Corolla Cross is that it is produced locally at the Japanese automaker's Prospecton Plant in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal. By doing so, the automaker could keep pricing competitive and introduce the hybrid variant as the most affordable hybrid in SA.

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Line-up explained

Three grades will comprise the Corolla Cross line-up, these being Xi, Xs, and Xr. As the entry-level model, the Xi is fitted with all the basic technology and equipment to make it a worthwhile proposition. As such, it rides in 17-inch alloy wheels, has controls on the steering wheel, cruise control, all-round one-touch electric windows, and Toyota Connect - to mention a few.

The Xs features much of the same, but adds a black leather interior, fog lamps and LED headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, two additional USB ports, and a reverse camera with park distance control. The Xr boasts 18-inch alloy wheels, Toyota Safety Sense, a choice of black or 'Terra Rossa' (red) leather interior, an LED interior illumination.

READ: Why President Ramaphosa is so 'pleased' with Toyota SA's first Corolla Cross build

Toyota Safety Sense comprises Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Lane Trace Assist (LTA), and Pre-Collision System (PCS).

Standard across the range is a comprehensive safety and security package:

• Anti-theft systemAuto door-lock

• ISOFIX anchor points

• Driver + Passenger + Side airbags across the board

• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

• ABS + EBD + Hill Assist Control

Petrol and hybrid

Toyota's trusted 1.8-litre petrol engine powers the entire range. In the non-hybrid models, it produces 103kW and 173Nm. According to Toyota, the motor has a claimed fuel return of 6.8-litres/100km and a CO2 emissions rating of 154g/km. Power is sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with seven pre-programmed steps in manual mode.

The hybrid model makes use of the same engine, but power has been detuned to 72kW and 142Nm. The electric battery offers 53kW and 163Nm at full capacity, but the use of the CVT brings the total system output to 90kW. Toyota claims an economy of 4.3-litres/100km on this model and a CO2 index of just 98g/km.

Pricing and warranty

All Corolla Cross models are sold with a six-service or 90 000km service plan and a three-year or 100 000km warranty. The hybrid models carry an eight-year battery warranty.

• Corolla Cross 1.8 Xi R349 900

• Corolla Cross 1.8 Xs R390 100

• Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid Xs R413 000

• Corolla Cross 1.8 Xr R425 400

• Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid Xr R448 300