2024 Toyota Corolla Cross facelift unveiled: Striking new front end, no more foot parking brake and more

Toyota Motor Thailand just unveiled the latest 2024 Corolla Cross, and the facelift model adds some styling updates and new tech to the popular SUV.

Rolled out to much fanfare on February 8, 2024, at Central World's Eden Zone, Thailand, Toyota's new ride is set to elevate the Corolla Cross experience with its tech-savvy features and versatile design that caters to just about any lifestyle you can think of.

Rewinding to 2020, when the Corolla Cross first hit the streets, it has made quite the splash with its sleek looks, roomy interiors, and that sweet spot of being both sophisticated and sturdy.

Fast forward to today, and it's not just living up to the hype but exceeding it, as many have chosen the compact SUV as their vehicles of choice which is why Toyota has given it a refresh to attract more buyers to the vehicle.

The latest model brings more to the table, rocking a fresh "Multi-Dimensional Design" on the grille like the ones seen on the Chery Omoda 5, snazzy new slimmer LED headlights, and those blink-and-you'll-miss-it sequential front turn signals, with the panoramic frameless roof and dual zone automatic air conditioning system adding a cherry to the top.

Standard on all models is a 10.1-inch HD touchscreen that plays nice with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus USB Type-C ports, it's like your living room on wheels.

In terms of safety features, the entry-level 1.8 Sport Plus model now includes blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert (RCTA) as part of its safety arsenal.

The HEV Luxury variant steps it up with the inclusion of Toyota Safety Sense, a comprehensive package of systems that includes automatic emergency braking (AEB), dynamic radar cruise control that operates at all speeds and includes a stop-and-go function, lane departure warning, lane tracing assist, and automatic high beam adjustment.

Additionally, the HEV Premium Luxury and HEV GR Sport models enhance their safety offerings with the addition of parking support brake capabilities.

Speaking of brakes, a significant improvement is the introduction of an electronic parking brake, replacing the outdated foot brake that previously attracted criticism for its perceived old-fashioned technology.

Mr. Noriaki Yamashita, President of Toyota Motor Thailand, dived into the past year's achievements and teased what's in store, highlighting Toyota's resilience and innovation amidst a challenging market. With a nod to carbon neutrality and electrification, he underscored Toyota's commitment to diverse mobility solutions, keeping in line with the "Mobility for All" philosophy.

Mr. Nutthorn Sinives, Vice President, spilled the beans on the New Corolla Cross's development, emphasizing its urban x premium vibe. Think LED projector headlights, luxury Sequential LED front turn signals, and a posh interior in black or the new Dark Rose, all aimed at jazzing up the life of city dwellers and modern families.

On the performance front, you've got a choice between a regular 1.8-litre petrol engine  featuring 140 PS/177 Nm and a 1.8-litre Hybrid engine pushing out  98 hp and 142 Nm from the Atkinson-cycle combustion engine, while the electric motor provides an additional 72 hp and 163 Nm.

Toyota said, all powertrain promises peppy power and stellar fuel efficiency. And with Toyota's TNGA platform underpinning the Hybrid model, expect nothing less than a smooth ride.

Variants and Prices:

For the Hybrid Engine:

• HEV GR-Sport: Priced at 1,254,000 baht (RM167k)
• HEV Premium Luxury: Priced at 1,204,000 baht(RM160k)
• HEV Premium: Priced at 1,094,000 baht (RM145k)

For the petrol Engine 

• 1.8 Sport Plus: Priced at 999,000 baht (RM133k) 

Exterior Colours:

The New Corolla Cross is available in a palette of colors designed to complement its modern lines and sophisticated design.

• For the HEV Premium Luxury, HEV Premium, and 1.8 Sport Plus models, the colours include:

  • New! Cement Gray Metallic
  • Celestite Gray Metallic
  • Platinum White Pearl 
  • Metal Stream Metallic
  • Attitude Black Mica

• For the HEV GR Sport model, the options are more dynamic with:

  • Platinum White Pearl with a black roof and Red Mica Metallic with a black roof
  • Attitude Black Mica

Interior Colours:

The New Corolla Cross’s interior colour schemes are meticulously chosen to enhance the vehicle's premium feel.

• New! Dark Rose: Available exclusively for HEV Premium Luxury / HEV Premium models with Platinum White Pearl, Celestite Gray Metallic, and Attitude Black Mica exteriors. 
• Black: This classic colour is available for HEV Premium Luxury / HEV Premium models with Cement Gray Metallic and Metal Stream Metallic exteriors and for the 1.8 Sport Plus model.
• GR Sport Black: Specially designed for the GR Sport model.

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