It only launched in 2022, Toyota has already made some technical and visual amendments to its Corolla Cross compact SUV - which slots between the C-HR and RAV4 in the manufacturer's range - and added a new GR Sport trim to the line-up.
What's changed on the outside?
Alongside the honeycomb front grille, which is a feature specific to European-market Corolla Cross cars anyway (making them different to the US versions), there are now adaptive high-beam lamps on higher models of the Toyota crossover. This includes an LED light guide on the centre lamp and inner lens, said to evenly illuminate the full road surface. At the back, the rear clusters now feature fins, that are not only there for improved aerodynamic performance but which also promote better stability at speed. There's also an embossed 'Corolla Cross' rear emblem and 18-inch wheels in the arches.
And how about within?
Toyota has redesigned the gearshift knob and central console, which incorporates an additional smartphone stowage area, sliding storage box and a revised cupholder shape. Wireless charging was included as standard already, but the Android Auto connectivity levels and charging speeds have been bolstered to be 1.5 times quicker, which matches the Apple CarPlay levels. The human-machine technology interface is presented on the 10.5-inch Toyota Smart Connect multimedia touchscreen, while there's a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver too.
Comfort levels are good inside the Corolla Cross, with items such as upgraded ambient lighting, plus a heated steering wheel and seat heating offered on higher grades, but what you can't see with the new models is that Toyota has enhanced the sound-deadening in various places to improve refinement when on the move. The company reckons a quieter cabin is guaranteed by the use of high-damping materials at the bond of the roof, which reduces rain and road noise, while rear passengers benefit from less noise and vibration courtesy of additional material fitted to the ventilation areas in the back of the cabin. On higher-grade Cross models, there's a new three-layer inner dash silencer to minimise engine noise.
Sounds good, if you'll forgive the pun. How about engines?
These are unchanged from before, as the same 1.8-litre 140hp and 2.0-litre 197hp hybrid drivetrains continue as they were. But for any model of the Corolla Cross fitted with intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD-i), they are now fitted with the company's Snow Extra mode for the first time. This is a mode which keeps the vehicle on the road during acceleration and deceleration phases, active braking, cornering and lane changes in bad weather, by using the rear motor to prevent wheelspin and maintain grip.
And what about that GR Sport variant?
As the name suggests, this is the sportiest-looking version of the Toyota SUV, which features fully machined 19-inch black alloy wheels, a dedicated front-grille design, and a gloss-black Toyota logo to go with it all. It's also available in the exclusive Storm Grey two-tone colour scheme, while inside the seats are upholstered in something called 'Brin Naub' material - this being a suede-like synthetic leather - that is complemented by 'GR' logos and contrast red stitching.
It isn't just the looks, though, which gain an update on the Corolla Cross GR Sport - Toyota has tuned its suspension and lowered the entire car by 10mm. It has also tuned the steering for a more responsive and engaging feel, while paddle shifts aim to bring the driver into the action on a challenging road. Even Sport mode helps, as it enables faster acceleration by increasing the engine idling speed of the Corolla Sport.
Are all these updated cars available to me now?
Not quite, but imminently, as the revised Corolla Cross should be in our dealerships from summer of this year, with the GR Sport joining a little later in autumn.