Distance: 49 km
Date: 2-4 July 2025
Location: Arctic Norway
Up front: The Corolla Cross isn’t available in Norway, so this was imported from Germany. The top-of-the-line Lounge edition is the only one that comes standard with powered seats and leather, making for a comfortable driving experience. The screen is large and easy to read but doesn’t always pair seamlessly with Apple CarPlay. Still, there are physical buttons for those who like tactile control.
There are two cup holder behind the gear lever for the two front passengers and a wireless charging pad under the centre screen. I found the A-pillars thick enough to obstruct forward visibility, but some others may find comfort in the crash safety it provides. The smaller cabin than the Rav4 means there’s less room for noise to echo around, making the car feel less like a washing machine.
In the back: There are two USB-C ports under the air vents for the back seats. Legroom is about a half a foot less than the Rav4. While it can seat two adults cozily, three would be a squeeze. Starting at €36,500 with the as-tested model at €46,200, the base model is a nice discount from the Rav4. The shorter overhangs and narrower body makes it easier to drive in European towns.
The boot can fit three medium airline-style suitcases under the load cover. Our party had another two carry-ons and two soft bags, which we placed on a folded rear seat.
Driving: The hybrid powertrain was very efficient. I only used four litres of petrol for two days of urban driving. It would regenerate downhill and use the 113hp electric motor to power the front wheels when going up at below 2000 rpm. If more power were needed, the 152hp petrol engine would kick in and the electricity would be supplied to the rear wheels.
B mode was useful to control descent speed, and it improved regenerative braking so much I could almost one pedal drive around town. The turning radius of 5.2 metres makes it the best among compact crossovers. It was easy to park, easy to turn around on a narrow dead-end road, and easy to get in and out of a roundabout.
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