Owner Review: Teaser From Thailand! FIRST Owner Story of 2020 Toyota Corolla Cross

** This article is shared by a Thai reader and published on WapCar Community. Chick the link below to enter the community for car enthusiasts in Malaysia.
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After driving for nearly 3,000 kilometres, I would like to share my feelings about my 2020 Toyota Corolla Cross Top variant "1.8 Hybrid Premium Safety."

Before Seeing the Real Car

When I first saw the picture of the Toyota Corolla Cross, I couldn't help but put a smile on my face and thought that the front was boldly designed. It was a brave decision that the production of this car was approved. As for the rear of the Corolla Cross, it was elegant and beautiful. Gone was the old "uncle car" image, of Toyota cars. Good job Toyota design team.

Love at first sight

When the decision of buying a new car was made in the family. We have made up our mind to get a Toyota SUV. The only options available that suits our needs and budget were the Toyota Fortuner and the new Toyota Corolla Cross.  One feature that we think must have in our car is a sunroof. After seeing and test driving the Fortuner, we were disappointed that it was not offered with such feature. The first time I saw the Corolla Cross, however, it gave me a feeling of "umm, it was not worse than I thought. Therefore, without test driving or fully test out all the features of the Corolla Cross, we decided to make an order.

Powertrain Performance

I've never driven a hybrid car before. In my typical stereotype, I think hybrid cars must be slow to accelerate.  Indeed, you need to almost redline the engine in the Corolla Cross to get some proper acceleration. When I accelerate to overtake other cars, I almost have to floor the throttle to gain speed. However, the car does accelerate quickly at from standstill due to the instant torque given by the electric motor which makes me feel very uncomfortable. I always try to drive the car as smooth as possible, avoiding hard acceleration because I try not to let the engine rev so violently.

Driving Dynamics

The chassis feels I would describe as "typical Toyota." You could definitely feel the body-roll when cornering the Corolla Cross at high-speeds. So try to avoid sharp turnings at high speeds. After all, it is a car designed to be driven casually with family on board. Compare to older generations of Toyota cars, the ride quality has improved dramatically. The Corolla Cross now feels more refined compared to older Toyota models.

N.V.H.

I must say that if the road is smooth, the car is really quiet.

But when driving on concrete surfaces, I can clearly hear the noise of tyre rubbing the road surface inside the cabin. N.V.H. level is almost like an old car. If the noise level of an old car is 100%, then this Corolla Cross I would rate it as 70-80%.

Adaptive Cruise Control

If you get a chance to experience the Corolla Cross on a long-distance drive and there is no hill on the road, it will work fine. And when you drive downhill, it is not bad. The experience is particularly bad on uphill drives because you feel like the engine is revving so hard it might blow-up. Listen to the sound of the engine and have fun!

There is another story. If we lock the speed of the car under adaptive cruise control and set the car to keep a distance at level 2-3, there will be enough distance for other cars to cut in front. If someone cuts us off it in a close distance, prepare for the car to brake violently. I am sure that if your elder is riding with you he/she will be shocked and tell you to slow down the car. Sometimes you may shock yourself because the car brakes too hard.

Storage Compartment

This is what a lot of people complain about, but I am not one of them. However, I have to say that there is just so little storage space. Oh, and one time, the centre console glove box compartment between the front seats is closed by me accidentally. I am so shocked. The feeling is so cheap. Can’t it be done with a soft close? Or add a solid spring? It gives me the feel that I am likely to break the car when I close the storage compartment.

Conclusion

Although having a lot to complaints with this car, I am satisfied with my choice. Probably because the car gives a solid feeling to me and handles the job of getting from point A to point B nicely. Most aspects of the car are perfect; however, the most I would complain about is the centre console as I have mentioned above. Overall, it is a good car to buy and I would recommend you to buy this car if you are considering it.

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