2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid Review

2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid is a C-segment hybrid SUV in Malaysia, which precisely meets the needs of family users for a well-balanced family car with its low fuel consumption, TSS safety system, practical space, and reliable quality.

RM 142,000

2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid

Segment

C-Segment

Body Type

SUV

Capacity(L)

1.8

Engine Power(PS)

Transmission

E-CVT

Driven Wheels

Front Wheel Drive

View Toyota Corolla Cross > View Full Specs >

Review

User Review

Specs

At present, the C-segment SUV market in Malaysia is undergoing a rapid penetration of hybrid models. Consumers want the practicality of SUV space and off-road capability, while also aiming for fuel economy in daily commuting. The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid is designed specifically to meet such needs. As Toyota's key hybrid model in this market segment, it not only upholds the brand's consistent reputation for reliability but also attracts attention with its official combined fuel consumption of 4.57L/100km and TSS Smart Safety System as standard across all models. This test drive will focus on its static design, space practicality, and dynamic driving experience to see if it meets the balanced needs of family users.

In terms of exterior design, the Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid maintains Toyota’s family styling with a tough and robust character, presenting simple yet highly recognizable lines. The front face features a large trapezoidal air intake grille, with chrome trim running horizontally to connect the LED headlights on both sides. Together with the front bumper with a silver skid plate, it gives the front end a wide and slightly aggressive appearance. The waistline on the car's side stretches from the fender to the taillights, with 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels paired with 225/50 R18 tires further enhancing the SUV stance. At the rear, the LED taillights on both sides are connected by a chrome trim strip, while the silver skid plate below echoes the design of the front, making the overall look cohesive and aligned with mainstream aesthetics.

The interior focuses on practicality, with the dashboard featuring a symmetrical layout and soft-touch materials on the upper layer that feel refined to the touch. A 9-inch touchscreen sits atop the dashboard, offering a clear interface layout and smooth operation with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 7-inch fully digital instrument panel displays information like battery levels, power flow, fuel consumption, and more, allowing the driver to monitor the vehicle’s status in real time. In terms of configuration, the vehicle comes standard with keyless entry/start, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, rear air vents, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a rear seat with 60:40 split-folding and a central armrest, meeting most daily family needs.

Space performance matches the positioning of a C-segment SUV, with measurements of 4,460mm in length, 1,825mm in width, and 1,620mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2,640mm. The front row offers about one fist and two fingers of headroom and ample legroom; in the rear, three adults can sit with one fist of headroom and about two fists of legroom. The middle floor is not overly raised, making it friendly for the middle passenger. The trunk has a standard capacity of 440L, which can be expanded by folding down the rear seats, providing enough space for items like strollers and suitcases, thereby ensuring strong practicality. Additionally, the interior is equipped with multiple storage compartments, including the front armrest box, door panel storage slots, and cup holders, making it convenient for storing small items.

The powertrain consists of a 1.8L naturally aspirated engine and an electric motor, with the engine delivering a maximum power of 98PS and the electric motor delivering a maximum power of 72PS, paired with an E-CVT transmission. During everyday driving, the vehicle starts in pure electric mode, offering quick and quiet power response. During low to mid-speed acceleration, the motor and engine work together to provide smooth power delivery, and during overtaking, pressing the accelerator firmly quickly unleashes ample power. Among the three driving modes (ECO, Normal, Power), the ECO mode delivers gentler power output, suitable for daily commuting, while the Power mode provides a more responsive throttle for scenarios requiring rapid acceleration.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel offers good precision with minimal dead zone and moderate feedback. The combination of front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension effectively filters out road bumps. When driving over speed bumps or uneven roads, the body vibration is not overly rigid. At high speeds, the vehicle maintains good stability, while cornering exhibits reasonable body roll control, aligning well with the expectations for a family car. The braking system performs linearly, providing sufficient braking force in the initial stage, which instills confidence.

In terms of fuel consumption, actual tests show fuel efficiency of approximately 5.2L/100km on urban roads and about 4.8L/100km on highways, with a combined fuel consumption close to the official figure of 4.57L/100km. The fuel economy is excellent. Regarding noise control, during low-speed electric driving, the noise is nearly nonexistent. At medium and high speeds, tire and wind noise slightly increase, but they do not affect normal conversations among passengers in the cabin.

Safety features are a highlight of this car, with the entire lineup equipped with 7 airbags, the TSS Intelligent Safety System (including a pre-collision safety system, lane departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams), vehicle stability control system, lane change assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera. These features provide comprehensive safety protection for all occupants.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid lie in its balance. It boasts outstanding fuel efficiency, practical space, rich configurations, and comprehensive safety features. Compared to similar models such as the Honda HR-V Hybrid, it has slight advantages in space and safety configurations, while being relatively budget-friendly. It is well-suited for families focusing on fuel efficiency, practicality, and safety features, meeting needs for daily commuting and weekend outings. If you're in search of a worry-free, practical hybrid SUV, this vehicle is worth considering.

Pros

The interior is practical and comfortable, with a convenient central console layout. The 9-inch touchscreen is easy to operate, and the dual-zone automatic air conditioning is practical.

The rear seat space is flexible, with ISO FIX interfaces for easily securing child safety seats. The 60:40 split-folding seats can be folded down to expand storage space.

The hybrid system is fuel-efficient and smooth, operating on electricity at low speeds without jolts. The combined fuel consumption is approximately 4.6-4.8L/100km.

Cons

The exterior design is relatively conservative, the rear and tail lights are not sharp enough, lacking a stunning impression, and the car paint is thin and prone to scratches.

Power feels weak when climbing hills or during sudden acceleration, requires early throttle input when climbing Genting Highlands, and power response for overtaking on highways is slightly slow.

Some areas of the interior have a strong plastic feel, the materials in places like beneath the dashboard are relatively hard, and details need improvement.

Overall Rating

4.3

Excellent

From 5 Reviews

Section Rating

Performance

4.2 / 5

Interior Design

4.4 / 5

Safety

4.4 / 5

Exterior Design

4.2 / 5

Showing 5 reviews

5 Excellent

PoloGTI

Owner of 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid

Here’s the translation of your text, preserving the original HTML tag format: As the owner of the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid, having driven it in Malaysia for almost a year, what I want to praise the most is its interior! The first feeling when sitting inside is "comfortable and practical"—the layout of the center console is especially convenient, the 9-inch touchscreen is right within the line of sight, and you don’t need to look down to adjust the air conditioning or change songs when stuck in traffic. I have to drive my kids to school every day, and the ISO FIX connectors in the back seat make securing the child safety seat a breeze. The 60:40 split rear seats can be folded down too. Last week I went to IKEA to buy storage boxes and managed to fit three large boxes in without feeling cramped. The dual-zone automatic air conditioning is perfect for Kuala Lumpur's hot weather. I set it to 22 degrees, while my wife, who feels cold easily, sets it to 25 degrees—both comfortable in our own ways. The seats have a fabric and leather mix, which doesn’t get stuffy even after sitting for a long time. The 8-way electric adjustment always allows me to find the most relaxing position, it’s not an exaggeration to say it’s perfect! As for the exterior, I’d give it 4 stars because while it’s overall pleasing to the eye, it lacks a bit of the "wow" factor. The body lines carry Toyota’s usual steady style, the LED headlights and daytime running lights are very bright during rainy days in Penang and have enough recognizability. However, the design of the rear feels a bit conventional. When parked next to my friend’s HR-V the other day, it felt like it lacked some youthful sharpness. On the flip side, this understated look is also quite nice—it suits families like ours who commute daily in the Klang Valley without being overly flashy. 4 stars seems like a fair rating.

4 Excellent

CRV_4WD

Owner of 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid

As the owner of the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid, I've been driving it in Malaysia for almost a year, and the overall experience has been quite satisfying! Let me start with the appearance, which deserves a full 5 stars—it’s a streamlined body paired with LED headlights, making it highly recognizable even during rainy days in Kuala Lumpur. Every time I park near Pavilion, I feel it looks better than the other SUVs nearby, and my friends always compliment its "classy" appearance as soon as they get in. For safety, I’d give it 4 stars; driving it daily feels reassuring. Last week on the North-South Highway, I encountered a sudden brake from the car in front, and the active braking system gave a “beep beep” alert before promptly slowing down, avoiding a collision. Additionally, it comes equipped with seven airbags and lane departure warning features. When taking the kids on a road trip to Penang, the ISO FIX connectors were also very convenient. However, when reversing in a narrow alley in Malacca once, the radar was slightly slow to react and I almost hit a parked motorcycle. If the front sensor could be more sensitive, it would be perfect. In terms of performance, I’d give it 4 stars, which is adequate for Malaysian road conditions. The hybrid system offers a brisk start, and during Kuala Lumpur’s morning rush hour traffic, the electric motor provides a very smooth drive without the jerking you get with fuel-powered cars. On the highway, it performs well when overtaking, as the engine transitions smoothly when I press down on the accelerator. Cruising at 120km/h is completely stable. However, last week when climbing Genting Highlands, the power output felt a bit “sluggish,” and I had to accelerate earlier—it’s a hybrid after all, so it’s understandable.

5 Excellent

MazdaCX5

Owner of 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid

As the owner of the 2022 Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid, after driving it for nearly a year, I’d like to share my real experience in Malaysia~ Exterior: 4/5. The design isn’t stunning but it’s very pleasing to look at! The body lines are smooth, and the 18-inch wheels paired with the SUV design give it good recognition during traffic jams in KL city. However, the rear design is a bit conservative. If the taillights were sharper, it would better suit the aesthetics of young people. Overall, it has a steady and practical style, suitable for daily commuting or family outings on weekends without looking out of place. Performance: 4/5. The hybrid system is fantastic for local road conditions! During Kuala Lumpur’s stop-and-go morning traffic, the electric motor provides super smooth starts, and it mostly uses electric power at low speeds, keeping the fuel consumption steady at about 4.6L, which is far more efficient than a friend’s 1.5T SUV. At 110km/h on the highway, the power is sufficient for cruising, and flooring the accelerator for overtaking is adequate. But since it’s a 1.8 naturally aspirated engine combined with a hybrid system, the engine noise is noticeable during hard acceleration. However, it’s more than sufficient for family use. Safety: 5/5. This is the part I’m most satisfied with — 7 airbags, active braking, and lane-keeping are all standard features. Last time on the Penang Bridge, the car in front suddenly braked hard, and the active braking system intervened immediately to help me slow down. It gave me a scare but prevented a collision. When driving on the highway, the lane departure warning activates whenever I slightly drift over the line, which is super useful for me since I often travel along the North-South Expressway. Toyota’s safety configurations are very reliable, giving both me and my family peace of mind when traveling. Overall, this car is really suitable for family use in Malaysia. It’s packed with safety features, fuel-efficient due to the hybrid system, and has a good-looking exterior. With a price tag of around 140,000 MYR, the cost-performance ratio is quite high!

4 Excellent

DragRacer

Owner of 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid

Certainly! Below is the translated content in English while keeping the original HTML tag structure: As the owner of a 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid in Malaysia for almost a year, let me first talk about the interior—overall, the build quality is pretty solid. Most of the areas you can touch are made of soft materials, such as the dashboard and door armrests, so there’s no cheap plastic feel. What I’m most satisfied with is the dual-zone automatic air conditioning. With Malaysia’s year-round temperatures above 30 degrees, I can pre-cool the car using remote start before getting in, which makes it very comfortable right away. The rear air vents are also present, so when I’m driving family or friends, the backseat doesn’t feel hot. However, there are some minor drawbacks: although the central screen is 9 inches, its response time is sometimes slightly slower, such as when switching music, where there’s about a 1-second delay. It’s not a big issue but it is noticeable. Now let’s talk about the safety features—this is where Toyota really delivers. Malaysia’s highways are crowded, and sudden lane changes are common. The lane departure warning and lane change assist provide timely alerts. Once, on the North–South Expressway, I didn’t notice a car beside me, and the warning light on the side mirror kept flashing, helping me avoid a collision. The automatic emergency braking system is also very practical—in a traffic jam in Kuala Lumpur, the car in front suddenly braked hard. Before I could step on the brake, my car stopped automatically. It gave me a scare but I was really grateful. With 7 airbags and vehicle stability control, I feel much more secure driving long distances to the East Coast or on mountain roads. However, it would be even better if the reversing camera could be upgraded to a 360-degree system. There are times when parking in the narrow alleys of Ipoh's old town, relying solely on the rear camera still requires extra caution. All in all, the interior and safety features are of the "worry-free to use" type—not particularly impressive but definitely sufficient, meeting the expectations for this price range.

4 Excellent

GR_Yaris

Owner of 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid

Sure! Here's the translation: As the owner of the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid, I have been driving it in Malaysia for almost a year and am quite satisfied overall. I gave it 4 points in all three dimensions. In terms of performance, the hybrid system is especially useful in Kuala Lumpur's traffic jams. Starting with the motor is very quiet, and following cars at low speeds is effortless. It is stable up to 110km/h on the highway, but acceleration beyond that feels a bit sluggish. However, it is entirely sufficient for daily commuting. The fuel consumption is truly impressive. I drive on the LDP highway and through urban congestion every day, and the combined fuel consumption is only 4.8L/100km, which is slightly higher than the official 4.57L. Considering Malaysia's hot weather and the use of air conditioning, this performance is already excellent. As for the exterior, it has an enduring appeal with smooth body lines. The LED headlights are sufficiently bright during rainy days in Penang, and the 18-inch wheels look elegant. However, the car paint seems a bit thin. Last time, a motorcycle brushed against the side, and the primer was exposed. This is a minor disappointment. The interior is fairly standard. The 9-inch central control screen operates smoothly, and the dual-zone automatic air conditioning is very useful in Malaysia's hot weather. The rear air conditioning is also effective. However, the interior has a somewhat plastic feel, especially the lower part of the dashboard, which feels hard to the touch. It would be better if more soft materials could be added. Overall, it's very suitable as a family car. There are no major issues in the three aspects, but there is still room for improvement in the details. Giving it a 4 out of 5 is quite reasonable.