One area the Toyota Corolla Cross dominates in South Africa

New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), which include hybrid-electric, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and fully electric offerings, gained traction in South Africa last year, and none more so than the Toyota Corolla Cross.

According to pre-owned car sales data collected by AutoTrader, hybrid sales increased 76% last year, and of all the variants sold in 2025, the Corolla Cross Hybrid remained the local best-seller.

Of the 4,888 used hybrid-electric models sold in South Africa last year, 1,901, or nearly 40%, of these were Corolla Cross units.

The SUV is not only popular in its hybrid derivative, with 6,001 total units sold in 2025, making it the eighth-best-selling model, with nearly a third of these being hybrid variants.

Compared to other locally sold SUVs, the Corolla Cross lost out to only one in terms of total sales numbers, its bigger sibling, the Fortuner.

Interestingly, the Fortuner was also the only SUV to sell faster on average than the Corolla Cross, with the former selling within 27 days on average, compared to the latter’s 35.

Shifting focus back to the purely hybrid offering, its popularity can also be attributed to supply and demand, as the Corolla Cross was the most-listed hybrid model on AutoTrader last year.

The average listed model was two years old, had 23,168km on the odomoter, and an asking price of R433,584.

By contrast, the average sold model was of the same age, but had a slightly lower mileage of 22,649km and sold for R421,286 – less than the average asking price.

The Corolla Cross ticks many boxes for South Africa’s hybrid buyers, leading to its widespread popularity.

Based on AutoTrader’s research, the hybrid SUV addresses the key pain points for new-energy vehicle buyers in South Africa, including offering models under R600,000 with a range of more than 500km.

Used vs new

Whether NEV buyers are looking to get a new or used Corolla Cross Hybrid, there are three derivatives to choose from – the XS, XR, and GR-Sport.

All three models are fitted with a 1.8-litre hybrid petrol motor, capable of producing 90kW, which it sends to the front wheels via a CVT transmission.

This configuration is good for 4.3l/100km consumption, and a range of 837km.

In terms of equipment, the XS, which costs R501,100, features LED headlights, keyless entry, a touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, hill-assist control, and five airbags.

Added to the list is dual-zone climate control, a leather steering wheel, a 7-inch driver monitor, a rear-seat armrest, partial leather upholstery, front parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, and black roof rails.

The XR, selling for R552,400, adds 18-inch alloys, automatic high beams, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an anti-dazzle rearview mirror, a hands-free tailgate, a panoramic-view monitor, lane-trace assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The flagship of the line-up, the recently updated GR-Sport features a black grille with a honeycomb-style pattern, subtly reworked LED headlights, and a unique GR front bumper with a more prominent black surrounds for the fog lamps and a lower grille.

As the top-spec model, the GR model retails for R569,700, and while it doesn’t have a more powerful engine, the SUV has been modified have a sportier feel, while its GR shock absorbers, steering, and suspension makes it feel more responsive.

Added to the features found in the XR, the flagship features exclusive Gazoo Racing badges on the front and rear, dual-tone 18-inch alloy wheels, and black side mirror caps.

Its sportier look continues on the inside, with a cabin that features black leather upholstery with GR-branded seats and red cross stitching and seatbelts.

A GR badge adorns the multifunction leather steering wheel, as well as the GR-themed floor mats. This trim-line also features aluminium sports pedals.

The entire Corolla Cross Hybrid line-up’s prices include a 3-year/100,000km warranty and a 6-service/90,000km service plan, as well as an 8-year/195,000km hybrid battery warranty.