TOYOTA has launched its small SUV segment Corolla Cross in Australia this week, the model arriving with the availability of front- and all-wheel drive, and with the choice of petrol or petrol-electric hybrid power.

The model – which is the very latest from the big T – also features the brand’s latest infotainment and safety technologies. Not bad considering its kicks off from $33,000 plus on-road costs.

Built on the same TNGA-C platform as Corolla hatch and sedan, the Cross benefits drivers with a 130mm eye point increase, 25mm of additional ground clearance and cargo capacity ranging from 436 to 1359 litres.

The larger cabin also means the Corolla Cross offers improved access and interior space with larger door openings, 81mm of additional rear seat headroom and 43mm more front seat headroom than Corolla sedan.

The Corolla Cross is 45mm wider and 185mm higher than its 12th-generation sedan sibling, and rides on a 2640mm wheelbase with a front track that is 20mm wider and a rear track that is 25mm wider than the standard sedan.

It also introduces new (fifth-generation) connectivity and (third-generation) safety technologies that are firsts for the Toyota brand. Toyota says the Corolla Cross is the “most connected Toyota yet”.

Available in three variants, the Corolla Cross is priced from $33,000 in entry-grade GX format, $36,750 in mid-tier GXL trim, and $43,550 for the top-shelf Atmos variant.

The petrol-electric hybrid driveline adds $2500 to the price tag, while Toyota’s E-Four all-wheel drive system adds an additional $3000 (to GXL and Atmos variants only). The Corolla Cross is the first Corolla-branded variant to offer all-wheel drive in Australia since the Corolla Tercel of the early-to-mid 1980s.

Petrol-powered Corolla Cross models feature a 2.0-litre Otto cycle four-cylinder unit developing 126kW at 6600rpm and 202Nm from 4400-4900rpm, driving the front wheels via a ten-step continuously variable transmission (CVT). Fuel consumption is rated at 6.0 litres per 100km on the ADR Combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 136 grams per kilometre.

Hybrid versions employ a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder developing 112kW/190Nm paired with an 83kW/206Nm electric motor on the front axle providing combined maximum power of 146kW. All-wheel drive models incorporate an additional 30kW electric drive motor on the rear axle.

The battery pack is located beneath the rear seat and takes only 11 litres from the model’s previously quoted cargo capacity. Toyota did not offer battery capacity figures at launch.

Front-wheel drive Corolla Cross models are suspended by a MacPherson strut (front) and torsion beam (rear) arrangement while AWD models benefit from a multilink rear end. All variants are arrested by four-wheel disc brakes and offer up to 750kg of braked towing capacity.

The Corolla Cross is available in eight exterior colours including: Glacier White, Frosted White, Stunning Silver, Eclipse Black, Atomic Rush (red), Lunar Blue, Moondust Grey and Jungle Khaki.

The model is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with seven years’ engine and driveline coverage plus capped-price servicing for the first five years of 75,000km. Each 12-month/15,000km service interval costs $230.

More information on the Corolla Cross including full specifications and equipment for each variant is available here or via the links below this article.