Launched: CKD 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Facelift – Three Variants From MYR 133,800 To MYR 148,800

Toyota Corolla Cross HEV launched at KLIMS 2024

One of two new releases by the Japanese automaker, Toyota with the 2025 Corolla Cross, facelifted and launched at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show 2024 (KLIMS).

Locally-assembled (CKD – Bukit Raja, Selangor), UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) is offering three variants of the refreshed C-segment SUV. A petrol (1.8 V – MYR 133,800) and two hybrids (1.8 HEV – MYR 140,800, 1.8 HEV GR Sport – MYR 148,800).

Prices (OTR, w/o insurance) cover a five-year with unlimited-mileage warranty, and an eight-year with unlimited-mileage hybrid electric warranty (hybrid battery, inverter, power management control unit). For extra coverage, the latter is extendable to 10 years.

Toyota Corolla Cross HEV, front-end exterior

New looks bring upon distinctive fitments, seeing the 1.8 V and 1.8 HEV variants with a slimmer upper grille (geometric vertical slits), a bumper-blended lower grille (honeycomb perforations), beefier fenders, new Bi-LED head lamps (automatic On/Off, LED DRLs, sequential turn signals), and new wide-wrapped tail lamps with inner lenses.

Discerning the GR Sport variant is its GR Sport Exterior Package, featuring an exclusive GR Sport grille, rear bumper lower garnish, GR/GR Sport emblems, rear combination tail lamps with clear lenses (smoky design), and a two-tone roof (Black).

Toyota Corolla Cross HEV, rear-end exterior

Mounted for all three variants are 18-Inch wheels rubbered-up in 225/50 R18 Toyo tyres, with variant-specific finishes in Dark Grey Metallic (1.8 V, 1.8 HEV) and two-tone Silver Black Metallic (1.8 HEV GR Sport).

Exterior hues come in five options for the 1.8 V and 1.8 HEV (Red Mica Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, Silver Metallic, Celestite Grey Metallic, Dark Turquois), while the 1.8 HEV GR Sport gets three two-tone hues (Black roof – Platinum White Pearl, Red Mica Metallic, and Dark Turquoise).

Toyota Corolla Cross HEV, single-tone and dual-tone exterior hues

Interior-wise, the appointments are also variant-specific with the 1.8 V and 1.8 HEV variants getting leather (Black) upholstery with contrast stitching (Silver) and accents (Dark brown – armrest, seat ornamentation), whereas, the 1.8 HEV GR Sport gets a dark schemed interior, featuring leather (Black) with contrast stitching (Red – steering wheel, gear knob, boot), and headrests (front) with GR embroideries (GR logo – engine Start/STOP button). 

Elsewhere, there are two types of instrument panels equipped, a 4.2-Inch colour Multi-Informational Display (MID) for variant 1.8 V, and a larger 12.3-Inch full-colour MID with three selectable layouts (four designs – Casual, Smart, Tough, Sporty) for variants 1.8 HEV and 1.8 HEV GR Sport. Centre-staged is a new 10.1-Inch display (infotainment), supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (wireless), Bluetooth, navigation and Spotify.

Toyota Corolla Cross HEV, Interior fitments

Other than that, included is LED illumination (ambient light – front door trim, dashboard), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, and for added convenience, an electric-tailgate (kick sensor, Smart Key, dashboard button). Boot volume is of 440-Litres capacity.

Performance-wise, underpinned for the hybrids is the fourth-generation Toyota Hybrid Electric System, consisting of two electric motors (53 KW/71 HP, 163 NM) and an Atkinson-Cycle (2ZR-FXE) 1.8-Litre four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC engine (72 KW/97 HP at 5,200 RPM, 142 NM at 3,600 RPM) with Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligence). Power transmits to the front wheels, via an E-CVT specially designed for hybrids.

Juicing the e-motors is an under-rear-seat-mounted nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack (168 cells), which comes with a battery recuperation system (self-charging - moving, braking). Also included is an EV mode and Remote Engine Start (Toyota MY app – engine start-up, cabin cooling).

Toyota Corolla Cross HEV, TSS 2.0

In terms of safety, installed is the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0 suite of Active Safety technologies, featuring Pre-Collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) - All Speed with Stop&Go, and Automatic High Beam (AHB).

Supporting systems include, Parking Support Brake (PKSB) with front and rear sensors, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Drive-Start Control.

Toyota Corolla Cross HEV, KLIMS 2024 launch

That said, the locally-assembled (CKD – Bukit Raja, Selangor) 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross tags with prices starting from MYR 133,800 for the base-range 1.8 V, MYR 140,800 for the mid-range 1.8 HEV, and MYR 148,800 for the top-range 1.8 HEV GR Sport. 

Having considered the specs, will the newly-upgraded 2025 Corolla Cross appeal to the Malaysian people and continue its reign as a crowd-favorite? Leave your comments below.