2027 Toyota Corolla Cross looks like an EV, but please think

Compact SUVs could benefit from Toyota’s next-generation four-cylinder engine

Toyota will be very busy in the next few years. With updates and redesigns on the horizon in its lineup, the forever-dwelling automaker is quietly laying the foundation for the next generation of people who are happy. One of the most anticipated refreshes? The next generation of Corolla will arrive in hatchbacks, sedans and real estate formats. But this begs the obvious question: What about the Corolla Cross?

More: Toyota’s baby land cruiser FJ debuts back in 2026

This compact SUV is positioned as smaller, less rugged and, most importantly, the RAV4 alternative is to be remodeled on its own. Although Toyota hasn’t shared any official details yet, all signs indicate a major refresh in the coming years.

Things exposed

We haven’t seen a prototype in the wild yet, but digital artist Theophilus Chin (aka Theottle) has tried to fill the gap. He sent out these speculative renderings that imagine Corolla Cross wearing the brand’s latest design tips, borrowing heavily from the Urban Cruiser EV, a smaller electric SUV that previews some of Toyota’s newer design languages.

The SUV takes the brand’s now familiar hammer-head face, with smaller LED headlights and a clean, grilleless front end. Although the part feels on the mark, the side profile and rear are actually lifted from the Suzuki E-Vitara (a mechanical twin) to the Toyota City Cruiser EV. In fact, the next Corolla Cross may go its own way, although the latest sculptural lines like C-HR and C-HR+ are more sculptural, although for practical purposes it may remain looser in the rear.

Illustration: Theottle

Toyota

Internal adjustments and technical upgrades

Inside, Toyota may introduce a more digitally connected cockpit. Expect a larger screen and a layout that reflects the latest information on the brand’s lineup. Meanwhile, the Corolla Cross may maintain its family-friendly roots, while the cabins focus on availability and comfort. An upgraded set of advanced driver assistance systems is also expected, which gives the SUV a stronger safety story.

Platform and powertrain: Familiar, but better

Toyota tends to stick to the approach, so the next Corolla Cross may continue to ride on the TNGA-C platform and improve. Under the hood, things may get even more interesting. The company is developing a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that could emerge in several flavors: turbocharged, hybrid and plug-in hybrid. This will bring better fuel economy and added performance welcome without reinventing the wheels.

More: Toyota’s new C-HR+ EV may launch in the United States next year

The Corolla Cross, introduced in 2020, is a compact SUV that bridges the gap between the smaller C-HR and the larger RAV4 in the Toyota lineup. The model is currently available around the world and varies slightly according to the design of the region.

Depending on the region, cycle updates are dripping in various markets in 2024 and 2025. In Japan, Toyota will launch a modified Corolla Cross in May this year. Almost all timelines guarantee that the current generation will last at least a few years before undergoing a full redesign.

Assuming Toyota sticks to its usual product rhythm, a new crown is expected to be held in 2026, and the next crown cross may be after 2027. The schedule will mark a fixed seven-year run for the current model, respected by any standard in the compact car world.