Updated 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross surfaces: What’s next for the Kia Seltos, Haval Jolyon, MG ZS and Mazda CX-30 rivals – Automotive News
.jpg)
Toyota has introduced a round of facelifts to the Corolla Cross – the slightly elevated crossover wagon version of its strong-selling small car range – about three and a quarter years after its international debut.
But for now, the changes have only been announced for Japan – where the Australian market models are manufactured – so there’s no timeline yet for when we’ll see updates to the locally-bound versions as well.
Car guide A Toyota spokesperson has been contacted for comment, but the estimated time of the car’s arrival in our market has not been confirmed.
Read more about the Toyota Corolla Cross
So how different are the MY24 models compared to how they were before when they landed in Australia?
For the Japanese domestic market (JDM) Corolla Cross, Toyota says the main modifications relate to driver assistance safety systems, with the Proactive Driving Assistant introduced as part of the Toyota Safety Sense system which adds some precise mechanical intervention to the steering and braking to help keep the car within the chosen line of travel and reduce… Collision.
The updated Corolla Cross also scored an upgrade to Toyota’s pre-collision safety system, with sensors that can now detect oncoming vehicles at an intersection when the driver turns into traffic. It also gains automatic pedestrian braking.
It is not yet known whether the technology also detects cyclists, or works in bad weather or nighttime conditions.
Inside the brand’s spacious crossover, there are revisions to the multimedia system, most notably the inclusion of in-car Wi-Fi in some higher trim levels, in addition to the availability of a liquid crystal instrument panel to improve screen clarity in multi-information. Display unit in front of the driver.
Additional colors have also been added, as well as more two-tone options.
The press kit out of Japan also notes a series of updates to the electric modules fitted to the smaller 1.8-litre 2ZR-FXE hybrid models sold in that market. It is designed to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
In return, Australian consumers get a larger, more powerful 2.0-litre M20A-FXS hybrid powertrain, but there’s no word on whether this also scores the improved efficiency technology. Let’s wait and see.
Finally, have there been any changes to the exterior design? not yet.
After all, let’s not forget that the Corolla Cross features a larger, more aggressive single grille treatment, the same as that found on versions sold in North America, Europe, Thailand and some other regions, as opposed to a slightly lower stereo split. The grille appears to distinguish the JDM versions.
Speaking of which, to be sure, all the changes at the moment are for the Corolla Cross sold in Japan. Whether models bound for Australia also get some or all of these items is yet to be confirmed. But, as we said, since our products come from the same factory, most of us likely do.
Severely constrained supply since its launch in November 2022 has meant that Corolla Cross buyers have faced delivery delays of between three and 12 months, with some hybrid models even exceeding these time frames.
The small SUV segment, dominated by the MG ZS, Mazda CX-30, Haval Jolion and Kia Seltos, is booming this year, with year-to-date sales up about 25 percent compared to the same period last year.
