- A new generation of the Corolla Cross could arrive by mid-2028.
- The SUV is expected to grow in size, edging closer to the RAV4.
- Expect a new styling language, hybrid power, and loads of tech.
Compact SUVs have a habit of outgrowing themselves, and Toyota’s next move with the Corolla Cross feels inevitable. Since its debut in 2020, it has become a quiet success, slotting between the C-HR and the RAV4 best-seller. Depending on where you live, it picked up a facelift in 2024 or 2025, but Toyota is already lining up a more comprehensive rethink for the next-generation model.
There are still no camouflaged prototypes to study, so the next Corolla Cross remains an exercise in educated guesswork. Our renderings are based on the latest rumors from Japan, which point to a larger model that edges closer to the hugely popular RAV4. Call it a baby RAV4, if you like, or stretch the joke to a RAV2 or RAV3. A similar strategy is being followed by rivals like the Kia Seltos and the Volkswagen T-Cross, both of which have grown in stature and maturity.
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For the visuals, the renderings draw heavily from the styling language introduced by the Toyota Corolla Concept in late 2025. The hammerhead-style LEDs, with their vertical extensions into the bumper, sit above a honeycomb grille finished in body color, not far removed from the look of the recently facelifted Yaris Cross.
Along the sides, expect cleaner surfacing that makes the added length more obvious. The boxy wheel arches will likely remain, a design cue shared across much of Toyota’s SUV range, with the sportier C-HR standing as the exception.
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Round the back, expect slimmer LED taillights and a cleaner, flatter tailgate. If Toyota’s current SUV playbook is anything to go by, the bi-tone look will stick around too, with a black roof and pillars tying in with the plastic cladding.
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And yes, there will almost certainly be a GR Sport variant with a redesigned bodykit and more pronounced aero components to go with a sharper chassis setup. Toyota has pledged to make its future models even more interesting to drive, with the shape and size of the Corolla Cross making it ideal for the GR treatment.
More Space And Technology Inside
The added size should translate into more rear legroom and a larger boot, addressing one of the more persistent complaints about the current car.
Inside, expect a full rethink, likely inspired by the minimalist yet futuristic layout of the Corolla Concept. That means a floating center console, controls pushed out to flank the digital cockpit, and even a dedicated infotainment display for the front passenger.
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If that sounds familiar, it is partly already happening. Buyers in China can get a more tech-heavy version of the facelifted Corolla Cross with a larger screen and a reworked dashboard. The next generation is expected to push further, though, bringing in Toyota’s new Arene software platform.
It is safe to assume that Toyota designers will come up with fresh color combinations and use more sustainable materials for the upholstery. In line with the brand’s strategy, expect a more advanced safety kit fitted as standard across all trims.
Hybrid-First
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The next Corolla Cross will share its underpinnings with the new 13th generation Corolla sedan, and a likely hatchback counterpart. Toyota is keeping details close, but the safest bet is an evolution of the existing TNGA platform, one that continues to support the brand’s multi-pathway approach to powertrains.
With Toyota already offering a large number of electric SUVs including the C-HR, bZ, bZ Woodlands, and Highlander EV, the next Corolla Cross will likely stick to a hybrid setup.
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As such, it will utilize the upcoming 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engines currently under development, delivering more power while burning less fuel. Depending on the market conditions, the SUV could also gain a plug-in hybrid powertrain option, with a competitive zero-emission range.
When Will It Arrive?
Toyota has yet to formally confirm a new-generation Corolla Cross, but current rumors point to a debut around mid-2028, by which point the existing model will be eight years old. The next Corolla sedan is expected to arrive in 2027, likely previewing much of what the SUV will bring. As before, the Corolla Cross is set to remain a global model.
