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Miami Herald
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Toyota's Next Corolla Cross Could Get Prius-Like Makeover
From the GR Corolla to TRD-badged large SUVs, Toyota has several new models for all kinds of enthusiasts, be it those who enjoy track days or adventure junkies who prefer off-roading. However, there are a few cheaper Toyotas that still give off the dependable-but-entirely-unremarkable vibe many still associate with the brand. One such Toyota is the Corolla Cross, the smallest Toyota crossover in America. Based on comments by a Toyota exec, this model's bland design is hurting sales in certain markets. He strongly hinted at the need for a more exciting future design, as well as a look unique to major markets, to drive more interest in the Honda HR-V rival. In Europe, sales of the Corolla Cross were down by 14% across the first four months of 2025, whereas the more evocative C-HR (not currently sold in the USA) saw sales rise by 9.6% over the same period, relative to 2024. "We don't have the perfect Corolla Cross for Europe, in the sense it's a global model," said Andrea Carlucci, head of product strategy and marketing at Toyota Europe, when speaking with Auto News. "If we bring more European zest, sales will be up." He specifically suggested that designing a single model to cater to both Japanese and American tastes has come at the expense of what Europeans want. The next Corolla Cross, then, could get unique designs for Europe and the USA. It wouldn't be the first time a major model gets a unique design for these two regions - Honda already sells a Euro HR-V that looks completely different to the American one. To address the crossover's lack of personality, a new GR Sport trim was recently introduced for Europe. Around the same time, the US-spec Corolla Cross got a more aggressive design, but it's still not as interesting as a Hyundai Kona or Chevrolet Trailblazer. Carlucci's comments suggest that the next Corolla Cross will receive a much sportier design, and as we've seen recently with the Prius, Toyota has the ability to quickly transform a nameplate from bland to glam. In America, the current Corolla Cross has a 169-horsepower engine. Paired with a CVT, acceleration is both languid and boomy. Take the Mazda CX-30, for example; its base model makes 191 hp, and the conventional six-speed automatic also makes for a sportier driving experience. Then again, Americans don't seem to be as sensitive to the Corolla Cross's ordinary look. In the first quarter of 2025, sales of Toyota's smallest SUV in this market were up by 45.2% relative to 2024. The popularity of the 196-hp hybrid helps, too - it's one of the most efficient crossovers around, and isn't as slow as the base model. But Toyota has clearly not yet unlocked the potential of the Corolla Cross. If the next gen could mix a Prius-like makeover with hybrid-only powertrains (as the 2026 RAV4 has done), it could become yet another best-seller for the company. We don't expect to see the second-gen Corolla Cross before 2027. Related: This Is The Cheapest New Toyota Car In America Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Top Gear
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Toyota Corolla Review 2025
Oh, it's only the best-selling badge in the whole car industry, having recorded more than 50 million sales across 12 generations since its launch in 1966. The more astute among you will note it has only recently rejoined the fold in the UK, replacing the Auris having itself departed in 2006. After two generations out it would appear Corolla is more trusted, and the badge returned in 2018. Attached to arguably the best-looking iteration of the car in its sixth decade of existence, too – though some of the iterations aren't putting up a strong challenge on that front. It was developed on a fancy brand new platform this time round – Toyota said during development that it prioritised good looks and decent handling, and the car was freshened up in 2023. At one glance, the former appears to have been nailed, more on the latter on the Driving tab. Advertisement - Page continues below That fancy platform is shared with the C-HR crossover, which is about as handy to drive as such crossovers get, but the Corolla has stiffer competition from other hatchbacks on the market. You feel the benefit of the lower centre of gravity, but the car's ambition is held somewhat in check by its eco-minded powertrain that rewards a gentler, smoother drive. What are the engines like? In keeping with the current climate, there are no diesels. These days your choice comes down to 1.8-litre or 2.0-litre hybrid options only. The 1.8 produces 138bhp for a 0–62mph time of 9.1 seconds, while the 2.0 gets there in 7.4 seconds thanks to its heady 193bhp output. The small battery isn't designed to get the car very far in EV mode, but is supposed to make the engine as efficient as possible, scavenging energy under braking and helping out where it can. Both engines offer fuel efficiency of around 60mpg and CO2 ratings around 100g/km depending on which spec you go for – the size of the alloys makes a bit of a difference to economy, it gets worse the larger you go. While the 1.8 is the more efficient on paper, the 2.0 goes about its business in a more relaxed fashion, which we prefer here. Advertisement - Page continues below There are paddleshifted gearchanges via steering wheel paddles, but given both cars use a CVT transmission, these are effectively simulated gears. Got it. What else do I need to know? There are two body styles to choose from; the hatchback is 40mm longer than the old Auris, every millimetre contained in the wheelbase to make it roomier. You can also have an estate – clunkily named the Touring Sports – about which you can read by clicking these blue words. Our choice from the range TOYOTA 2.0 Hybrid 178 Icon 5dr CVT £32,150 See prices and specs What's the verdict? ' The Corolla looks more striking than ever, but in terms of tech, practicality and simple enjoyment, it falls short of its rivals ' The Corolla looks more striking than ever, and proves Toyota is really on a roll with making its cars less boring (by its own admission). The looks alone may tempt some people away from competitors like the Focus, Astra and Civic, as might its British-built status. What they'll find is a car that now exclusively offers hybrid powertrains and thus is angled away from keen drivers, no matter how sporty the trim. Instead, the Corolla is about as quiet and calming as hatchbacks get, so long as you don't work its coarse CVT transmission too hard. That – and its cost saving for business users – is the area it stands out from its many, many talented rivals. Because in terms of tech, practicality and simple enjoyment, it falls short of the best in class.
Hamilton Spectator
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Power, range, charging … what's wrong with this EV from Toyota?
PLANO, TEXAS—The tarmac is sun-baked and the air is heavy with humidity. While the road surface isn't bad, there are some pretty aggressive expansion joints that do make themselves felt. But not as much as I would expect. That's because I'm driving the all-new Toyota bZ (formerly bZ4X) electric crossover and, boy, has Toyota ever done wonders with the ride in this version of the vehicle. As good as the ride is — even though my tester has the optional 20-inch wheels, and that kind of thing tends to affect ride negatively — it's a very small part of a much bigger picture here. A lot of massaging has been done for this mid-cycle refresh of Toyota's one-and-only full battery-electric vehicle — it is a lineup that will soon triple in size after the recent announcement of the new C-HR and bZ Woodland — to address the most pressing needs of the old model, which swirled mainly around EV range and power. There needs to be an asterisk here, because, in some ways they have addressed this, but, in others, they haven't. Just as it was previously, the bZ is available with single-motor front-wheel-drive (FWD) and dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD). For '26, the AWD version makes 460 kilometres of range and 338 horsepower, 25- and 50-per-cent boosts, respectively, on the previous model. That's good, but the FWD model has a smaller battery than before and less range, as a result. Toyota maintains this is a cost-saving measure (pricing hasn't yet been announced), but it's, well, a bit of a bummer. AWD models of a car do tend to outsell FWD models in Canada so the lion's share of buyers will likely be happy with this. The story of its styling is a 'Tale of Two Cities'; the front end is a vast departure from the previous model, and not much has changed in the back. The vehicle gets Toyota's new 'Hammerhead' styling, which adds cool c-shaped daytime running lights and a smooth lower fascia with seamlessly-integrated body colour bumpers. Also new for '26: you can have body-coloured fenders depending on the exterior colour choice. For '26 some colours still do get contrast-colour fenders but the ones that don't look very classy and upmarket. At the rear sit the same tail light lenses and twin roof-mounted wings, with changes for '26 amounting to little more than some new badging. Inside, the main additions include a standard 14-inch central infotainment display, as well as optional nine-speaker JBL audio, while dual wireless charge pads are standard on all bZ trims (XLE FWD, XLE AWD, Limited AWD). As was the case before, the speedometer sits atop the dash, in the driver's line of sight, without obstructing the view. It essentially takes the place of a heads-up display, and it works. I spent the duration of my test in the dual-motor AWD version and that 338 horsepower can really be felt as soon as you dip in to the throttle. At 2,065 kilograms in Limited AWD spec, the bZ is no lightweight, but the power on offer and the throttle response make up for that and they have you squirting through intersections with ease. There's no problem getting up to speed on the highway. It's properly quick, this EV CUV, and inspires driver confidence as a result. The ride is very good, even if you specify the 20-inch wheels, but the chassis and suspension tuning is only half the battle when it comes to comfort of occupants. The seats are well padded and supportive, both front and back, and, while there is a nice, deep storage bin underneath the front seat armrest and a deployable armrest in back, hips and stray limbs don't get overly squeezed. The optional full-length glass roof doesn't impinge too much on front- and rear-seat headroom, which is a bonus. The added power and range are advantages. As is the charging. For '26, all bZ models come standard with NACS charging, which means you can plug in to a Tesla Supercharger and charge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes. If you prefer to use more traditional charge ports, such as a DC fast charge, each bZ sold comes with an adapter that will allow you to plug in to those, as well as a level II home charger if you happen to have one. Yes, the FWD model makes less range than before, but the power and range on offer from the AWD version hits the nail on the head. In AWD guise, it's exactly what the doctor ordered for the bZ. Type: Five-door, mid-size crossover; all-wheel-drive Engine: Front and rear EV motors; 338 horsepower Range: 460 kilometres Transmission: Single-speed automatic Cargo: 730 litres or 26 cubic feet behind second row Price: Not yet announced
The Irish Sun
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Toyota & Lexus new cars for 2025 revealed including rugged RAV4 update, hybrid Aygo and sharp-looking ES saloon
'IF you want to catch a lot of fish, set out many fishing rods,' a wise man in the motor industry once said. Toyota is definitely following that advice. 5 Toyota will relaunch its baby Aygo X as a hybrid instead of pure-petrol at the end of the year Credit: Supplied 5 The C-HR+, looks, and is, different from the C-HR hybrid Credit: Toyota 5 The small pure battery Urban Cruiser, on sale shortly Credit: Supplied So any potential customer swimming into a Toyota dealership will find a huge range of cars ready to hook them. It's working. Sales of Toyota and its posher Lexus arm keep growing. A cascade of new cars and updates will likely keep the momentum going into next year. READ MORE IN MOTORS The RAV4 family SUV is a massive seller and returns next year as a plug-in hybrid only. It should be economical when running on petrol alone. But if you can find somewhere to plug in, the electric range is now a very handy 62 milles. The angular new body has a proper rugged look to it, standing out from the crop of softy crossovers it competes against. Toyota keeps driving down the cost of hybrids. Most read in Motors At the end of the year it will relaunch its baby That will have the lowest consumption and CO2 rating of any car without a plug. Toyota offers $25k discount off brand new model until June 2 – but the rebate depends on where shoppers live So the hybrid system is still a massive part of Toyota's success. When hybrid arrived here in the Prius at the turn of the millennium, it was a minority sport. Gradually it went mainstream, spreading across nearly all Toyota and Lexus models. So much so that the company took flak for not jumping from there on to the full-electric car bandwagon. Now that caution looks wise. The speed of changeover to EVs is softening, and the legal push to ban hybrids is paused five years to 2035. Shifting predictions for EVs are affecting Toyota-Lexus too. 5 For families wanting more space as well as battery power, Toyota will add a Touring estate version to the bZ4X electric crossover Credit: Supplied For some years, the plan was to build standalone electric cars, wholly different from the hybrids. But that's going to change. Andrea Carlucci, European marketing boss, told me the plan now is to build cars that you can buy as either full-electric or hybrid. Selling completely separate hybrid and EV models, he says, 'causes a complexity challenge', confusing buyers and choking dealerships. 'We should simplify the number of silhouettes.' So Lexus is launching its sharp-looking new luxury saloon, the ES, in both a hybrid and a 330-mile electric. In the UK the plan is we'll get the electric only, but no doubt that could alter if the politics of EVs change again. For families wanting more space as well as battery power, Toyota will add a Touring estate version to the bZ4X electric crossover Inside, it's luxurious but with a clean Japanese-garden feel. The door trim looks like back-illuminated bamboo. But despite the new plan for dual-powertrain cars, there are still a bunch of pure battery cars in the launch phase. The small one is the Urban Cruiser, on sale shortly. It'll be followed by the C-HR+, which looks, and is, different from the C-HR hybrid. All those two share is a general theme: both are compact coupe-crossovers. For families wanting more space as well as battery power, Toyota will add a Touring estate version to the bZ4X electric crossover. That's spring next year. The all-electric Lexus RZ gets an update next year, including steer-by-wire using an aircraft-style yoke instead of a steering wheel, plus fake 'gearbox' effects to make driving a single-speed EV feel more interesting. More like a petrol car, in other words. 5 The RAV4 family SUV is a massive seller and returns next year as a plug-in hybrid only Credit: Supplied Ten things YOU should know as a car owner To help you feel more confident as a car owner, here are ten things you should be familiar with about your vehicle: When is your MOT due? When is your car tax due? Find out here Is it illegal to drive barefoot? What do Is it illegal to drive without road tax? Can you be fined for breaking the highway code? How to What does Is it illegal to
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Toyota to Dramatically Increase Plug-In Hybrids by 2030: Will Shoppers Go for It?
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Toyota is leaning into plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and aims to grow US sales of this category from last year's 2.4% to 20% by 2030. PHEVs sit between a traditional hybrid and a full EV. They can drive a certain number of miles on pure electricity, typically between 20 and 50, and also have a gas tank for longer trips. The small but mighty battery recharges with an external cord. "We are going to grow our PHEV volume through the lineup over the next few years,' David Christ, head of the Toyota brand in North America, tells CNBC. "We love the PHEV powertrain." PHEVs are the least popular form of EV, with sales far below hybrids and full EVs. One main reason is their price. Building a car with two powertrains, a battery, and a gas engine isn't cheap. It could also mean more complex maintenance. For example, the gas-powered 2025 Kia Sportage starts at $28,690, and the hybrid version is just $100 more at $28,790. However, the plug-in hybrid is over $10,000 more than that at $39,890. Toyota offers a PHEV version of the Prius ($28,350), called the Prius Prime ($33,375). It earned a PCMag Editors' Choice award for its top-tier, 44-mile battery range and relatively affordable starting price of $33,375. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe ($50,695) is another popular PHEV. But the car industry has not scratched the surface of these vehicles' potential. If they could go, say, 150 miles on pure electricity before switching to gas, they might be a serious competitor to full EVs. Christ tells CNBC the company is "working increase the amount of miles you can drive on EV-only range." It remains to be seen how lofty its ambitions are here. Toyota has been slower to adopt EVs than other automakers, instead embracing its signature hybrid-forward strategy. It expects hybrids, including PHEVs, to be more than 50% of US sales in 2025. That's up from 46% in 2024 and 30% in 2023, a steady and significant increase. However, the brand is making moves toward strengthening its EV-only lineup. Its first model, the bZ4X, is getting a range boost for 2026 (and a name change to just bZ). Toyota also debuted a brand-new model, the 2026 C-HR compact SUV. "We've got ICE [internal combustion engine]. We've got hybrid. We got plug-in hybrid. We got EV," Christ says. "So, our chances of being successful in scoring runs is just a lot better than if you're really overly committed to any one of those power trains." EV sales grew 11.4% in Q1 2025 in the US, according to Cox Automotive. Toyota's EV sales increased nearly 200% compared to Q1 2024, and that was before it made much-needed improvements to the bZ4X and introduced the C-HR. Next year could be big for its EV business. However, the auto industry overall is struggling to navigate the sharp policy differences between former President Biden and President Trump. The Department of Transportation is no longer releasing planned funds for a nationwide charging network. One in five CEOs at automotive companies has stepped down in the past year, the Financial Times reports, as the companies struggle to navigate tariffs. Toyota might be in "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" mode, and perhaps targeting a wealthier customer with the shift to PHEVs.
