Hybrid Toyota Corolla Cross GR-Sport now on sale in South Africa

The sought-after Toyota Corolla Cross GR-Sport is now on sale in South Africa in hybrid guise, after being offered as a petrol-only model for the past six months.

The GR-Sport hybrid is the new flagship of the Cross family, boasting a window sticker of R495,200.

Alongside the standard 6-services/90,000km service plan, this price is accompanied by an 8-year/195,000km battery warranty.

The semi-electric Corolla Cross can be identified through its exclusive blue accents and hybrid badging.

Hybrid power

The GR-Sport can now be had with a hybrid foundation consisting of a 1.8-litre petrol engine combined with a small electric motor to put out a maximum of 90kW.

The configuration directs power to the front axle via a CVT gearbox, ensuring an economical 4.3l/100km combined fuel consumption, compared to the non-hybrid’s 6.8l/100km. A top speed of 170km/h is also achievable.

As part of the GR-Sport package, this model is then treated to a sportier suspension and steering setup than the non-GR variants.

Standard features

Standard fitments on the range-topping Corolla Cross include automatic LED headlamps with high-beam assist, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, a leather multifunction steering wheel, a reverse camera, keyless entry and start, a digital driver’s display, and a central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto playing through a six-speaker sound system.

Furthermore, the crossover brings several assistance systems such as hill assist, front and rear park distance control, a reverse camera, lane-trace assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

Again, the GR-Sport moniker adds energetic styling elements in the form of aggressive front and rear bumpers, a redesigned grille, GR badging, and a black roof and side mirrors with matching 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, GR-Sport derivatives gain bespoke seats with red stitching, black and red finishes, and a GR-unique start button, gear lever, and floor mats.

Toyota Corolla Cross GR-Sport