The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross has sparked significant interest among automotive enthusiasts and potential buyers alike, thanks to a recent leak detailing its pricing and specifications. This facelifted version of Toyota’s popular subcompact SUV introduces a range of updates, including a hybrid-only lineup for some markets, refreshed styling, and enhanced technology. With a confirmed launch in the second half of 2025, the Corolla Cross aims to strengthen its position in a competitive segment. This article dives into the leaked details, exploring the pricing, specifications, design changes, and what buyers can expect from this updated model.
Overview of the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
The Toyota Corolla Cross, introduced in 2022 as a replacement for the C-HR in the U.S., has quickly become a staple in Toyota’s SUV lineup. Positioned as an entry-level crossover, it combines the reliability and economy of the Corolla nameplate with the practicality of an SUV. For 2026, Toyota is giving the Corolla Cross a significant refresh to keep it competitive against rivals like the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Subaru Crosstrek, and Mazda CX-30. The leaked details, primarily from a dealer bulletin shared on the Toyota Corolla Cross Owners Australia group on Facebook, reveal a $960 price increase across the lineup, alongside new features and trims.
The 2026 model year brings a hybrid-only lineup in markets like Australia, while other regions, such as the U.S., will continue to offer both gas and hybrid powertrains. This strategic shift reflects Toyota’s commitment to electrification, with the hybrid powertrain delivering efficiency and performance. The updated Corolla Cross also introduces a new GR Sport (GR-S) trim, refreshed exterior styling, and upgraded interior technology, making it a compelling choice for buyers seeking value and versatility.
Pricing Details
The leaked dealer bulletin provides insight into the pricing for the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross in Australia, where the lineup is exclusively hybrid. The entire range will see a $960 price hike compared to the outgoing model. Below is a detailed pricing table based on the leaked information, excluding on-road costs:
|
Trim |
Drivetrain |
Price (AUD) |
Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
|
GX Hybrid |
Front-Wheel Drive |
$37,440 |
Low-speed AEB, wireless Android Auto, updated center console, 8-inch touchscreen |
|
GX Hybrid |
All-Wheel Drive |
$40,440 |
Same as FWD GX, plus AWD and Snow drive mode |
|
GXL Hybrid |
Front-Wheel Drive |
$41,990 |
Wireless charger, heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, 360-degree camera |
|
GXL Hybrid |
All-Wheel Drive |
$44,990 |
Same as FWD GXL, plus AWD and Snow drive mode |
|
Atmos Hybrid |
Front-Wheel Drive |
$47,990 |
Ventilated front seats, 10.5-inch touchscreen, revised 18-inch alloy wheels |
|
Atmos Hybrid |
All-Wheel Drive |
$50,990 |
Same as FWD Atmos, plus AWD and Snow drive mode |
|
GR Sport Hybrid |
All-Wheel Drive |
$50,990 |
19-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, unique bumpers, Sport drive mode |
Note: Prices are approximate and exclude on-road costs. U.S. pricing is yet to be confirmed but is expected to start around $25,960 for the gas-powered L trim and $29,845 for the hybrid S trim, with modest increases over the 2025 model.
The price increase reflects the addition of new standard equipment and updated technology across all trims. While the GR Sport trim matches the Atmos in price, it offers unique styling and performance features, though it may not include some of the Atmos’ luxury-oriented equipment, such as ventilated front seats.
Powertrain and Performance
Since mid-2024, the Australian-market Corolla Cross has been hybrid-only, equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 146kW (196 hp) of total system power. This powertrain combines a gasoline engine with three electric motors, delivering a balance of efficiency and performance. In the U.S., the 2026 Corolla Cross offers both gas and hybrid options. The gas-powered model retains its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 169 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The hybrid model, standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), achieves a combined 196 hp and an EPA-estimated 42 mpg combined, significantly outperforming the gas model’s 29-31 mpg city and 32-33 mpg highway.
The hybrid’s acceleration is notably quicker, reaching 60 mph in approximately 7.3-7.4 seconds compared to 8.4-9.3 seconds for the gas model, depending on drivetrain configuration. However, the Corolla Cross is not designed for sporty driving, and even the hybrid’s improved performance doesn’t match the dynamism of rivals like the Mazda CX-30. The new GR Sport trim adds a sportier edge with lowered suspension, retuned steering, and a Sport drive mode, but it’s unlikely to rival the performance of Toyota’s GR Corolla.
Exterior Design Updates
The 2026 Corolla Cross receives a refreshed exterior to differentiate gas and hybrid models. The hybrid variant features a modern, color-matched grille, giving it a sleeker appearance, while the gas-powered model adopts a bold, rugged front fascia with larger openings and a prominent badge. New LED headlight internals enhance the look of the GXL and Atmos trims in Australia, and the U.S. market introduces a new Cavalry Blue exterior paint, available with an optional Jet Black roof on hybrid SE and XSE trims. Two new 18-inch alloy wheel designs are also available, with a dark gray finish for the XLE and a glossy black finish for the hybrid XSE.
The GR Sport trim, exclusive to the hybrid lineup in Australia, stands out with unique front and rear bumpers, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a lowered sports suspension. These changes aim to give the Corolla Cross a more aggressive stance, though its overall design remains practical rather than flashy.
Interior and Technology Enhancements
Inside, the 2026 Corolla Cross features a redesigned center console with a new gear selector and increased storage space. A 10.5-inch touchscreen is now available on higher trims (XLE and XSE in the U.S., Atmos in Australia), replacing the standard 8-inch display. The digital instrument cluster ranges from a 7-inch display on base trims to a 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster on top trims, offering customizable safety alerts and vehicle information. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the lineup, addressing a previous limitation.
The Cold-Weather package, including a heated steering wheel and heated front seats, is now standard on the XLE AWD and hybrid XSE trims and optional on LE AWD and SE trims. The GXL trim in Australia gains features previously exclusive to the Atmos, such as a wireless smartphone charger, heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, and an upgraded 360-degree camera with a see-through view. The Atmos trim adds ventilated front seats and center console illumination for a more premium feel. However, critics note that the interior still uses too many hard plastics, and rear legroom remains cramped compared to rivals.
Safety and Driver Assistance
The 2026 Corolla Cross comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies. Standard features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. The GX trim in Australia now includes low-speed AEB in forward and reverse, previously limited to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring is standard above the base S trim, and the XSE trim adds front and rear parking sensors and rear automatic braking. Adaptive headlights are available on the XSE. A new low-speed pedestrian warning sound is mandatory for all hybrid models in Australia starting November 2025.
Market Positioning and Competition
Despite Toyota’s dominance in Australia, the Corolla Cross was the seventh best-selling vehicle in its segment in 2024, trailing behind the MG ZS, Hyundai Kona, GWM Haval Jolion, Mazda CX-30, Mitsubishi ASX, and Subaru Crosstrek. The 2026 updates aim to address criticisms of the Corolla Cross’ lack of “zest” by introducing the GR Sport trim and enhancing standard equipment. However, its driving dynamics and interior refinement still lag behind competitors like the Mazda CX-30, which offers a more engaging drive and premium cabin. The Corolla Cross’ strengths lie in its reliability, fuel efficiency, and value, particularly in the hybrid models.
In the U.S., the Corolla Cross competes with the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, and Subaru Crosstrek, where its hybrid variant stands out for its fuel economy and standard AWD. The gas-powered model, while affordable, is criticized for its sluggish acceleration and plain interior, making the hybrid a more compelling choice.
Release Timeline and Availability
The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross is set to arrive at dealerships in late July 2025 for the GX and Atmos trims in Australia, with the GXL and GR Sport trims following in early October due to production delays caused by pending certification. In the U.S., the updated model is expected to hit showrooms in late summer 2025, with pricing to be announced closer to the launch date. The Corolla Cross is assembled in Huntsville, Alabama, for the U.S. market and various plants worldwide for other regions.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross brings a host of updates that enhance its appeal in the subcompact SUV segment. With a hybrid-only lineup in Australia, refreshed styling, and upgraded technology, it aims to address the shortcomings of its predecessor while maintaining the Corolla’s reputation for reliability and value. The $960 price increase is justified by the addition of standard features like low-speed AEB, wireless Android Auto, and a larger touchscreen. The new GR Sport trim adds a sportier flair, though it’s unlikely to transform the Corolla Cross into a performance SUV. For buyers prioritizing efficiency, practicality, and Toyota’s trusted brand, the 2026 Corolla Cross is a strong contender, even if it doesn’t outshine rivals in driving excitement or interior refinement.
