The Corolla Cross may be a humble everyday urban commuter, but Toyota has tried making it more appealing to enthusiasts with the XSE grade in the U.S. However, the XSE does not go as far as the GR Sport trim offered in some other markets.
We traveled to Kuala Lumpur, where we had a chance to take a close look at the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid GR Sport. At the end of our experience, it made us think such a trim could have strong potential for the next-generation subcompact SUV in the U.S. and Canada.
The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid GR Sport can immediately be recognized by its unique radiator grille featuring a honeycomb mesh pattern.
The GR Sport-specific lower air intake and side air inlets also carry the same look. Also worth noting at the front is a sportier bumper with a larger body-color-painted surface area.
On the sides, Toyota equips the Corolla Cross GR Sport Hybrid with exclusive 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels and a GR badge on the front quarter panels. The company distinguishes the rear-end with the GR badge, as well as a sportier bumper.
The interior of the Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport Hybrid also comes with several special touches to align with the exterior modifications.
The engine start-stop button, steering wheel, front seats, and carpets feature the GR logo. Red stitching on the seats, center console, and carpets completes the distinctive styling, along with red safety belts.
Toyota has modified the suspension of the Corolla Cross GR Sport to deliver a more engaging driving experience. The company offers the compact SUV with a hybrid system that pairs a 1.8-liter gas engine with an electric motor, both powering the front wheels.
The gas engine produces 72 kW (97 hp) and 142 Nm (105 lb.-ft.) of torque, while the electric motor generates 53 kW (71 hp) and 163 Nm (120 lb.-ft.) of torque. This setup gives the hybrid model a top speed of 170 km/h (106 mph).
On the next-gen Corolla Cross
Following an eight-year global lifecycle, the next-gen Toyota Corolla Cross will debut in 2028, as per a report from Best Car (via Autoblog).
It is expected to be a hybrid-only model featuring a new 1.5-liter gas engine, Toyota’s sixth-generation hybrid technology, a new battery, and silicon carbide semiconductors. These improvements should lead to a smoother and more efficient drive.
Interestingly, the GR Sport trim of the next-gen Toyota Corolla Cross is reportedly planned as a plug-in hybrid, with about 200 hp of system output. Toyota has taken a similar approach with the 2026 RAV4 in the U.S., where it has introduced a GR Sport trim.
While the current Corolla Cross GR Sport uses a torsion-beam rear suspension, the next version could move to a double-wishbone setup.
Since Toyota’s Huntsville, Alabama, plant will need to tool up for the local-spec SUV, it would be interested to see if the U.S. receives the next-gen Corolla Cross at the exact same time as the rest of the world, which source their cars from Thailand and Japan. Whether Toyota finally introduces the GR Sport trim in North America also remains to be seen.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
