Auto review: Toyota introduces a Corolla crossover SUV for 2022

Popular taste is a fickle thing. One minute the world loves you, the next they never knew you existed. Madonna was queen of the pop world until her place was usurped by Lady Gaga. Madonna is still very popular, no doubt. But neither are as popular as, say, Cher. Some pop artists are immortal.

The same could be said of the Toyota Corolla. This is a car that has sold more than 50 million units in 55 years. Let’s face it, whatever may happen in the world, there’s always a Corolla: affordable, sensibly styled, fuel efficient and reliable. Exciting? Occasionally, but not often. That’s not its raison d’etre, unlike Cher. But in its longevity, it’s every bit the Cher of the car world, having debuted around the same time.

It’s a survivor. Do you believe in life after love? The Corolla does.

But as the world has gone crazy for crossovers, and sedan sales slump, Toyota is trying to maintain its franchise’s relevance. First came a revival of the Corolla hatchback, a throwback to the 1980s minus the rear-wheel drive and hotter performance. It helped, but not as much as what’s debuting now: the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross.

That’s right. A Corolla crossover.

Styled and engineered in Japan, and built in Huntsville, Alabama, the Corolla Cross fits between the C-HR and RAV4 in the Toyota lineup. Given the C-HR’s entry-level pricing, you’d think it would be more popular than a cold beer in July, and certainly it has its audience, selling 42,936 copies in 2020. But the RAV4 is far more popular, selling 430,387 units in the same period. Surely, the C-HR’s Kabuki mask styling and cramped interior prevent it from being more popular. It’s just not mainstream enough. This is what the 2022 Corolla Cross is meant to address.

The Corolla Cross’ soft exterior form, tall roof and bold grille are far more restrained than either of the crossovers that bracket it in the lineup. Its conservative demeanor is refreshing, a welcome breath of fresh air from a company trying too hard to prove it’s sporty and relevant. Its look is exquisite French vanilla, the sort of vehicle Toyota wasn’t ashamed to produce.

It’s as if they turned back time – but not totally.

As you’d expect, the Corolla Cross’ interior is comfortable and quiet. Front seat legroom is generous, rear seat space is adequate, and the cargo hold is generous. The easy-to-use infotainment screen comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa. USB ports are numerous, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot is available as part of Toyota’s wireless telematics service.

When it comes time to drive, you’ll find something familiar under the hood: Toyota’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, rated at 169 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. It’s matched to a continuously variable transmission fitted with a conventional first gear to improve performance off the line. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is a $1,300 premium. Towing is rated at 1,500 pounds. And it comes with the requisite driver-assistance safety systems.

The new Corolla Cross goes on sale in October, and officials are expecting demand to be strong. While they wouldn’t commit to how many they expect to sell, it wouldn’t be surprising if this version of the Corolla quickly becomes its top seller worldwide.

For those who love sedans, that may be bad news, but for the rest of us, the beat goes on.

CORRECTION: Earlier versions of this review incorrectly described the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross' engine. The engine is not turbocharged.