2025 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 V Review

Nowadays, Malaysia's compact SUV market is becoming increasingly competitive. Consumers seek both daily practicality and emphasize brand reliability and comprehensive basic configurations. As a popular contender in this segment, the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 V model retains its family stability while optimizing configuration details. The core purpose of this test drive is to assess whether this vehicle meets the daily needs of local family users in terms of power, space, configuration, etc., and to verify whether it offers actual improvements over the previous model.

At first glance, the 2025 Corolla Cross 1.8 V continues Toyota's consistent sense of stability while increasing recognition through its details. The front adopts a large trapezoidal grille, complemented by a honeycomb pattern inside and sharp LED headlamp groups on both sides, giving it a younger visual appeal. The side profile features smooth lines, with a combination of 18-inch multi-spoke wheels and 225/50 R18 tires that ensure both off-road capability and enhanced side proportions. At the rear, the LED taillight group features a smoked finish, echoing the front design, while the silver skid plate below the rear bumper adds a hint of rugged SUV character. The lighting system comes standard with LED lights, which illuminate quickly and cover an area sufficient for daily usage. The inclusion of daytime running lights improves visibility during the day.

Inside the car, the interior features a predominantly dark color scheme, combined with soft plastic and fabric materials, delivering a feel that matches the price range of this model. The dashboard layout is simple, and though the 4.2-inch multifunctional central control screen is not large, its interface is logically structured, allowing quick operation of basic multimedia and Bluetooth connection functions. The steering wheel supports electric adjustment, with the left side integrating buttons for ACC cruise control and lane keeping assist, while the right side controls multimedia and phone functions, making daily use quite convenient. In terms of features, the 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat allows for easily finding a comfortable sitting position, while rear air vents and 60:40 split-folding rear seats balance passenger comfort with cargo flexibility. Practical configurations like rain-sensing wipers and power-folding side mirrors are also included, demonstrating an overall pragmatic approach.

In terms of space, the 4460mm length and 2640mm wheelbase are within the mainstream range for this class. When seated in the front row, a 175cm tall passenger has a headroom clearance of about one fist and two fingers, with ample legroom for movement. The rear row is equally suitable for adult passengers, with legroom roughly equivalent to one fist and headroom of one fist, while the low central floor hump means short-term seating for three people is not overly crowded. As for storage capacity, the trunk's standard volume is sufficient for daily shopping or short trips, and folding down the rear seats expands the available space further to accommodate items like strollers or folding bicycles with ease.

In terms of dynamic driving, the 1.8L naturally aspirated engine delivers a maximum output of 139PS and a peak torque of 172N·m, paired with a CVT transmission. The power output leans towards smoothness. The throttle response is gentle at startup, making it suitable for following traffic in congested city streets. Acceleration is linear up to 60km/h; for overtaking, pressing the accelerator hard enough to raise the engine speed above 4000rpm is required to achieve a noticeable power boost. The suspension system, consisting of a front MacPherson strut and a rear torsion beam, is tuned for comfort. It effectively absorbs minor vibrations when traversing speed bumps or uneven roads, with minimal body sway. During high-speed cornering, the body roll remains within acceptable limits, and the steering wheel offers moderate resistance, with sufficient directional precision to meet daily driving needs.

The fuel consumption performance meets expectations. This test drive included congested urban areas and highways, with an average fuel consumption of approximately 6.8L/100km. After filling the 47L fuel tank, the driving range can easily exceed 600km, making it suitable for daily commuting and weekend outings. In terms of driving assistance systems, the ACC adaptive cruise control is able to maintain stable following on highways, while the lane departure warning and forward collision warning have moderate sensitivity without frequent false alarms. The 7 airbags and vehicle stability control system further enhance driving safety.

Overall, the core advantage of the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 V lies in its balanced performance: a reliable powertrain, practical space configuration, and comprehensive safety assistance systems. Compared to competitors in the same class, it has no significant shortcomings, making it more suitable for families seeking stability and practicality. If you need a compact SUV that's worry-free for daily commuting and occasionally capable of handling short trips, this car would be a good choice.