Toyota Corolla Cross vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross presented a conservative design approach, pulling back from the daring styles Toyota had recently embraced. Its snub nose was reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra pickup, and it featured the obligatory tall ride height and plastic fender flares typical of SUVs. However, the overall look was restrained, seemingly to ensure it didn't overshadow its larger sibling, the RAV4. The Corolla Cross was notably compact, being 13.5 centimetres shorter than the RAV4, yet larger than the Toyota C-HR, offering more interior space. Subtle styling details included scalloping around the rear door handles and mirrors, and hidden Corolla Cross logos throughout the vehicle. The interior closely mirrored that of the Corolla sedan and hatchback, though material quality felt inferior. The base L model felt basic, akin to a taxi, while the XLE trim offered SofTex leatherette upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, with a power moonroof available.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid followed a conservative design path, drawing inspiration from the previous-generation RAV4. This approach resulted in a vehicle that resembled a larger RAV4, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior prioritized function over form, with the Platinum trim adding a layer of luxury. Despite the use of glossy hard plastics and unlined storage surfaces, the controls were logically arranged. The climate system was straightforward, featuring large knobs for temperature adjustments, though the infotainment interface had a small volume knob and lacked a tuning knob. The Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid Max, with its Storm Cloud paint, presented a smart and upscale appearance, justifying its price tag. However, the design of the rear doors posed challenges for families with small children, and the sharp angles could potentially cause dents in neighbouring vehicles.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This CVT featured an actual first gear for improved acceleration, though it transitioned abruptly to normal CVT operation. At higher speeds, the powertrain exhibited typical CVT issues like engine droning and rubber-banding. While the Corolla Cross managed highway speeds adequately, the engine worked hard to maintain pace. The optional AWD system, similar to that in the Toyota Camry, could send 10% to 50% of torque to the rear wheels, engaging without wheel slip. Despite its SUV-like ground clearance of 20.8 centimetres, the Corolla Cross wasn't designed for off-roading, and its towing capacity of 680 kilograms was modest.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with its turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 net horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate swiftly, aided by a traditional six-speed automatic transmission that avoided the droning typical of CVTs. The Hybrid Max traded some fuel efficiency for power, achieving 8.8 L/100 km combined, compared to the Grand Highlander Hybrid's 7.0 L/100 km. It also boasted a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. During testing, the Hybrid Max averaged 9.1 L/100 km on a balanced city and highway route. The powertrain's acceleration was smooth, with electric motors mitigating turbo lag. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though undulations in the road could cause vertical bounding and lateral rocking. Handling was secure, with early tire scrub and squeal, and the vehicle felt large on mountain roads. Visibility was excellent, aided by available camera systems, though the front camera's frequent screen takeovers were intrusive.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross offered more passenger and cargo space than the Corolla hatchback, with an additional 5 centimetres of rear legroom and 3.5 centimetres of rear headroom. It featured standard rear climate-control vents and dual-zone automatic climate control on XLE models. Cargo space was generous, with 750 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,890 litres with them folded. However, the interior wasn't particularly comfortable, with hard and unsupportive seats and a tall, upright driving position that felt SUV-like but wasn't ideal for long trips. Storage spaces were minimal.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating across three rows, with more than 2,700 litres of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, offering heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The rear doors were long and required ample space to open, posing challenges for families with small children. The second-row captain’s chairs with a removable centre console allowed easy access to the third row. The rearmost seats were reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens, with ample crush space behind them. Cargo space was substantial, with 586 litres behind the third row, 1,640 litres with the third row folded, and 2,761 litres with the second row folded.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen on base models, with an 8-inch touchscreen on LE and XLE models. The XLE also included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility were standard, along with Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked sophistication, with plain graphics and slow boot-up times. The optional digital instrument cluster was cluttered, and the smaller display in lower trims showed redundant information. Two front USB-A ports were standard, with additional ports for rear passengers on the LE trim. Wireless charging was available on higher trims, though the charging pad was small.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with a 7-inch digital driver display on XLE models and a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel on Limited and Platinum trims. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and various Toyota Connected Services. The infotainment system was easy to use, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously, and the low-contrast font was difficult to read. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, and the JBL premium audio system delivered impressive sound quality. The Platinum trim included a colour head-up display, a digital rear-view mirror, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering standard features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and Lane Tracing Assist. The LE trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the XLE included front and rear park assist with automatic braking. Crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time of review.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with standard safety features and driver assistance technologies, including lane keep assist and Proactive Driving Assist. The safety tech operated accurately, though the lane keep assist occasionally strayed too close to lane markers. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.