2026 Toyota Corolla Cross

For Toyota-philes who find the Corolla a bit short on cargo room, the Corolla Cross subcompact SUV is the ideal, budget-minded alternative. We like it for its cargo-swallowing capability, solid fuel economy, better-than-average resale value, and that Toyota reliability.

Toyota also offers the Corolla Cross Hybrid, which we review separately.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of subcompact SUVs, including the Toyota Corolla Cross.

Toyota is calling 2026 the midcycle refresh for the Corolla Cross that launched in 2022. The updates aren’t sweeping but there are a few enhancements beyond the usual wheel and paint color swaps. For example, the front fascia is new and includes a bolder, more rugged grille. A new center console and an available larger 10.5-inch infotainment touchscreen are the list of interior updates. And about the paint color choices, Cavalry Blue is added to the exterior palette of the LE and XLE.

When Will the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Arrive?

We expect to find the 2026 Corolla Cross models arriving in showrooms this fall.

We expect the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross to start a bit below $26,000. That’s for the L trim and includes the factory-to-dealer destination charge.

For the $2,500 or so difference, we’d pick the LE trim over the base L because it adds goodies like automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry, and much more. The three trim levels of the Corolla Cross all sell equally well.

In size and price, the Corolla Cross slots beneath the RAV4 in Toyota’s venerable SUV lineup. So, if you want a Toyota that’s a little bigger, it’s the RAV4.

Looking at the strongest rivals, the Honda HR-V  and the Kia Seltos usually cost between $500 and $1,000 more than the Corolla Cross. You’ll need to pony up another $2,000 or so for the Subaru Crosstrek, while the Mazda CX-30 will set you back about $1,000; however, the Subaru and Mazda come with all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. For reference, we expect the Corolla Cross Hybrid to start at about $4,500 more than its non-hybrid sibling.

Before buying a new Corolla Cross SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Like many Toyota vehicles, the Corolla Cross maintains its value better than most subcompact SUVs. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

Motivating the Corolla Cross is 169 horsepower from a 4-cylinder engine. It takes more than nine seconds to accelerate (if that’s the right word) from a standstill to 60 mph. The Mazda CX-30 has 191 horsepower and reaches 60 mph in about eight seconds, which is hardly fast, but still one of the sprightlier members of its class.

This combination of a so-so engine and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) will dull the glint in any enthusiast’s eye. Moreover, we think the restart action of the fuel-saving engine off/on feature could be sweeter. That said, most prospective owners won’t care about such quibbles.

The same easy demeanor found in many Toyota vehicles is the main attribute when sitting behind the wheel of a Corolla Cross subcompact SUV. We’ve found that the effort required is minimal. It rides higher than its sedan namesake, giving that elevated driving position loved by so many. And the ride quality is more than acceptable. When all-wheel drive is fitted, the rear suspension has a more sophisticated multilink setup instead of the standard torsion beam arrangement, bringing ride and handling advantages. However, it does rob some cargo room.

Fuel Economy

That shortage of muscle does have an upside. With standard front-wheel drive (FWD), the Corolla Cross achieves 32 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Factor in all-wheel drive, and that figure drops by 2 mpg. That latter figure is still one mile per gallon better than the Mazda CX-30 (non-turbo, all-wheel drive). Honda HR-V owners will also have slightly higher fuel bills, getting a combined 28 mpg (front-wheel drive) or 27 mpg (all-wheel drive).

The dashboard of the Corolla Cross SUV is tidy and functional, with seats that are adequately comfortable. In our test of the prior base L trim, we found that it relied too heavily on unattractive plastics, however. There are four cup holders, or six in the XLE. This top trim also has a rear center armrest and a cargo cover, things that really ought to be standard across the range. Rear legroom is below average for the segment at 32 inches, but that’s about the only measurement in which the Corolla Cross falls a bit short. Otherwise, its accommodations are about average for the segment.

We’ve found the Corolla Cross front quarters plenty roomy, while it offers more cargo room than most competitors. There’s up to 26.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, and that room grows significantly more generous (46.9 cubic feet) when the rear seats are folded.

The 2026 refresh brings with it a somewhat more compelling nose with a bolder grille signature.

Otherwise, the curb appeal is conservative enough to please most of the people most of the time. The Corolla Cross SUV is about 5 inches shorter than the RAV4 and a couple of inches lower. Therefore, it’s large enough to be practical yet easy to park. It also offers 8.1 inches of ground clearance, more than most subcompact SUVs.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
As well as the convenience of integrating a phone with the infotainment system, the wireless aspect means the added benefit of not needing to remove said phone from a pocket or purse. This is standard throughout the lineup. We like that a 10.5-inch touchscreen is now available for controlling the infotainment system

Safety
Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and motorcycle detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, intersection assistance, and adaptive cruise control.

Connected services
We appreciate the convenience of having functions like remote start/lock/unlock, vehicle health reports, and SOS assistance at our fingertips. They can be controlled by a smartphone app or even a smartwatch. Some subscriptions are free for 12 months, and Wi-Fi comes with a 3-month subscription plus an Integrated Streaming feature for Apple Music and Amazon Music. Not all trims offer all services, however.

All-wheel drive
We certainly aren’t in the minority when we say that all-wheel drive is great when the weather gets rough. It’s available as an option with every Corolla Cross trim level.

Rear-Seat Reminder
If you open and close a rear door before getting on your way, the Corolla Cross can remind you to check back there when you reach your destination. We found that it’s handy for remembering a gym bag but invaluable for reminding of much more precious cargo.

Proactive Driving Assist
A standard part of the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system, this feature subtly yet adeptly aids everyday driving. For example, when switched on, it can provide gentle braking as you go into a curve or approach another vehicle or pedestrian.

The Corolla Cross SUV has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. Although we haven’t been particularly kind to the overall performance of the Corolla Cross, its horsepower stands up pretty well against its rivals. It outshines the subcompact SUVs from Chevy, Buick, and Kia. An automatic transmission of the continuously variable kind directs energy to the front wheels in standard form or all four if all-wheel drive is selected from the options list.

3-year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Toyota’s new-vehicle warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. These terms are typical among mainstream manufacturers. Toyota also provides free factory scheduled maintenance for the first two years or 25,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The Corolla Cross has yet to receive full ratings in testing with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, every 2026 Corolla Cross model comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. It includes automatic forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, high-beam assist, and adaptive cruise control.