New Toyota Corolla Cross pickup: first images

Information recently appeared that the Japanese company’s range could be replenished with a new compact pickup truck, which will be made on the basis of the Corolla Cross. We decided to imagine what it would look like.

Toyota has long been famous for its pickup trucks and their diversity. In recent years, the main cargo-passenger models have also been updated: the year before last, the largest Tundra pickup truck changed its generation, and last spring a new generation Toyota Tacoma was shown. Now it has become known about the Japanese brand’s plans to expand the range of pickup trucks with the help of a compact model made on the basis of the Toyota Corolla Cross SUV. It can compete with models such as the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.

Renderings of a pickup truck based on the Toyota Corolla Cross

There is no information yet about what it will look like, but we can focus on the design of the Corolla Cross crossover. Compared to the original model, the pickup will receive a significantly increased wheelbase, and the rear doors are made a little narrower (thanks to the almost vertical door connector, access to the back row remains quite comfortable). Of course, the rear overhang has been noticeably increased to accommodate the space of the cargo platform. The pickup truck received original taillights that combine the style of both the Corolla Cross and the new Toyota pickups.

Renderings of a pickup truck based on the Toyota Corolla Cross

The new pickup truck may receive a monocoque body, like the aforementioned Maverick and Santa Cruz, and its engines will come from the Corolla Cross crossover. The latter is built on the GA-C platform, developed within the TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) architecture, which is also used by the regular Corolla and the C-HR crossover. In different markets, the model has its own range of engines. In Thailand, where it was originally introduced, the base version is a naturally aspirated petrol 2ZR-FBE 1.8 (140 hp) paired with a CVT. There are also options with a hybrid installation, which includes a 2ZR-FXE 1.8 engine (98 hp), a 72-horsepower electric motor and an electromechanical variator, the total output of the hybrid is 122 hp, and the drive is exclusively front-wheel drive. On the American market, there is only one power unit — a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine (171 hp, 203 Nm) in combination with a Direct Shift CVT, but here (as well as in Europe) an all-wheel drive version is available.

Meanwhile, last week the premiere of the expensive crossover Toyota Century, which turned out to be three times more expensive than the Land Cruiser 300.