After spending a week with the Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8XR HEV, I’ve come to a simple conclusion: this might be the most underrated vehicle in Toyota’s current lineup. Don’t be fooled by its unassuming name or the fact that it shares DNA with the ubiquitous Corolla sedan – this crossover brings something genuinely fresh to a market saturated with look-alike compact SUVs.

First Impressions: More Than Just a Raised Corolla

The Corolla Cross immediately stands out with its distinctive styling. Toyota has taken a bold approach with the closed-off meet honey comb front grille that gives it a modern, somewhat futuristic appearance. Throughout my week with the car, I noticed more than a few curious glances from pedestrians and fellow drivers alike – not something you’d typically expect from a vehicle wearing the Corolla badge.

The LED headlights and daytime running lights add a premium touch to the front fascia, creating a distinctive light signature that’s recognizable even at a distance. These aren’t just for show either – the LED illumination provides excellent visibility during night driving, with a crisp, bright beam that effectively lit up the dark rural roads during my Free State journey.

In the metal, it projects a more substantial presence than photos might suggest. The design manages to appear both sophisticated and rugged – a difficult balance that many crossovers attempt but few achieve. The XR trim level adds just enough chrome accents and premium touches without veering into gaudy territory.

The Hybrid Heart: Impressive Efficiency with Some Caveats

Under the bonnet, the 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain doesn’t promise neck-snapping acceleration, and it doesn’t deliver it either. What it does offer is remarkable efficiency that consistently surprised me throughout my test week. Around town, the system seamlessly switches between electric and petrol power, often favoring battery operation during low-speed maneuvers.

During my extended journey to Bethlehem in the Free State, the hybrid system maintained an impressive 5.5l/100km average across various driving conditions. Only when tackling the more demanding sections of the N3, particularly while climbing hills and overtaking trucks, did consumption rise to 6.7l/100km – still commendable figures for a vehicle of this size and practicality.

Where the powertrain does reveal its limitations is during those aforementioned overtaking maneuvers. There’s a noticeable lag when demanding sudden acceleration, requiring some forward planning when passing slower vehicles. The CVT transmission, while excellent for efficiency, doesn’t help matters here, occasionally feeling indecisive when quick responses are needed.

Ride Quality: The Unexpected Strength

If I had to pick one standout quality that took me by surprise, it would be the Corolla Cross’s exceptional ride comfort. Toyota has absolutely nailed the suspension tuning on this vehicle. During my Free State adventure, the crossover handled uneven tarmac and gravel roads with remarkable composure, feeling completely at home in these less-than-ideal conditions.

The suspension soaks up imperfections without floating or wallowing, striking a balance that few vehicles at this price point achieve. It’s neither too firm nor too soft – just right for our road conditions that often throw a mix of surfaces at you within a single journey.

Road and wind noise could be better suppressed, as it gets worse at highway speeds.

Tech and Connectivity: Practical Without Being Flashy

The 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system sits prominently atop the dashboard, offering decent visibility without being overwhelmingly large. While the screen resolution isn’t class-leading and the graphics appear somewhat dated compared to some rivals, functionality rarely suffers. Response times are adequate rather than snappy, but the system proves reliable throughout my week of testing.

Complementing the central display is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that provides clear, easy-to-read information about vehicle status, driving efficiency, and hybrid system operation.

Connectivity is well-catered for with three USB ports – two up front (USB-C) and one in the rear, ensuring everyone’s devices stay charged on longer journeys.

The infotainment system offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility – a feature that worked flawlessly throughout my test, automatically connecting my phone each time I started the vehicle. Bluetooth pairing is equally straightforward and maintains a stable connection.

Interior: Practical Over Flashy

Step inside the Corolla Cross XR, and you’re greeted by an interior that prioritizes function over flair. This isn’t the most visually exciting cabin in the segment, but the ergonomics are spot-on, with controls falling easily to hand and an intuitive layout that requires minimal distraction from the road.

The partial leather seats deserve special mention – offering excellent support during my seven-hour round trip without causing any discomfort or fatigue. Rear passengers are treated to generous legroom and headroom, making this a genuine family-friendly option.

The dual-zone climate control system maintains a comfortable cabin temperature with minimal fuss, while rear air vents ensure back-seat passengers aren’t neglected in extreme weather conditions.

Storage options abound throughout the cabin, with thoughtfully designed cubbies, 6 cup holders and compartments that demonstrate Toyota’s understanding of how people actually use their vehicles in everyday life.

Cargo Space and Practicality

The boot offers a generous 440 liters of space – more than enough for a family weekend away. The hybrid battery pack doesn’t significantly intrude on cargo capacity, which isn’t always the case with electrified vehicles. The loading lip is reasonably low, making it easy to slide heavier items in and out.

One minor complaint: the rear seats don’t fold completely flat, creating a slight step in the extended load floor. It’s not a deal-breaker, but worth noting if you regularly transport larger items.

Safety and Technology

The Corolla Cross XR comes loaded with Toyota Safety Sense features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and autonomous emergency braking. These systems operate unobtrusively in the background, providing peace of mind without constant annoying interventions.

The adaptive cruise control proved particularly useful on the longer highway stretches, maintaining a set distance from vehicles ahead with natural acceleration and deceleration profiles. The lane-keeping system is more of a gentle nudge than an aggressive intervention, which I personally prefer.

The reversing camera offers adequate resolution through the 10.1-inch display, with dynamic guidelines making parking maneuvers straightforward. The six-speaker sound system delivers clear audio quality that, while not audiophile-grade, provides pleasant listening for music and podcasts alike.

Value Proposition

When considering the complete package – the efficient hybrid powertrain, impressive ride quality, practical interior, and comprehensive safety features – the Corolla Cross 1.8XR HEV presents compelling value. It doesn’t try to be something it’s not, instead focusing on delivering core attributes that matter in everyday ownership.

Yes, there are more exciting-looking crossovers on the market. Yes, some competitors offer more powerful engines or flashier tech interfaces. But few deliver this level of all-around competence with the promise of Toyota’s legendary reliability backing it up.

Final Thoughts

After returning the keys, I found myself with a newfound respect for what Toyota has accomplished with the Corolla Cross. It doesn’t shout for attention or rely on gimmicks to stand out. Instead, it quietly goes about its business with remarkable efficiency and refinement.

The occasional powertrain lag and some interior plastics that feel a touch below premium standard are minor complaints in what is otherwise an exceptionally well-rounded package. For buyers seeking a practical, efficient, and comfortable family crossover that can handle whatever South African roads throw at it, the Corolla Cross 1.8XR HEV deserves much more attention than it currently receives.

Sometimes the best surprises come in unassuming packages – and this underrated Toyota certainly delivered more than I expected throughout our week together.

The Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XR HEV is priced from R545 200.

First Impressions

Up front, the NX 450h+ F Sport boasts a striking exterior that blends sharp lines with Lexus’ signature design cues. The front end features a bold spindle grille, a hallmark of Lexus design, flanked by sleek LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights. The profile is accentuated by sharp character lines that flow from the headlights to the taillights, creating a sense of dynamism. The F Sport trim adds a touch of aggression with a sportier mesh grille and unique 20-inch alloy wheels. In keeping with the NX’s focus on efficiency, the aerodynamic lines help to reduce drag and improve range.

The rear of the NX 450h+ F Sport doesn’t hold back on its sporty character either. The taillights echo the sharp design language found at the front, with sleek, L-shaped LED units that wrap around the fenders. A subtle spoiler integrated into the tailgate adds a touch of aerodynamic flair.

Step inside and you’re greeted by the large 14-inch touchscreen display. The system is responsive and user-friendly, with both wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Additional luxury touches include an optional wireless phone charger, a 10-inch head-up display, a digital rear-view mirror, and a 10-speaker premium sound system.

While the NX is brimming with technology, the steering wheel controls present a minor challenge. Each side features a directional pad with both physical buttons and touch-sensitive areas. Touching, but not pressing a button, displays a menu of functions for each button. Selecting the desired function (changing songs, navigating displays) often requires a two-step process, which can be distracting while driving.

Elsewhere, the black and red leather interior you experience offers a striking contrast that embodies the sporty nature of the F Sport trim. The Lexus reputation for luxury is evident in the high-quality materials throughout the cabin. The black leather is supple and stitched with precision, while the red inserts add a pop of colour.

The front seats are the hero of the interior in terms of comfort. They’re well-bolstered, offering excellent support during spirited driving without feeling overly constricting. Lexus equips them with power adjustments and climate-controlled technology for a truly personalized experience. Whether you’re battling summer heat or winter chills, these seats will keep you comfortable regardless of the journey.

Moving to the rear, the black and red theme continues. While legroom isn’t cavernous, it offers decent space for most adults.

Let’s take it on the road

Lexus boasts a 60 km electric-only range for the NX 450h+, and in our testing, it lived up to the claim. During commutes and errands, we achieved this range consistently. Even on a 480 km highway trip, averaging between 110 and 120 km/h, the NX maintained impressive fuel efficiency. The trip computer displayed a combined average of 5.3 litres per 100 km, a testament to the hybrid system’s effectiveness.

Finding charging stations can be a challenge in some areas, but on this occasion, luck was on our side. Several shopping centres offered free charging via GridCars or Rubicon, allowing us to top up the battery a few times. Even with the battery depleted, utilising the standard hybrid mode resulted in impressive fuel economy.

F Sport Handling with a Focus on Comfort

As expected from Lexus, the ride quality on the NX 450h+ is smooth and comfortable. The adaptive variable suspension adjusts from soft for light off-roading to a firmer setting for sportier driving. While the NX isn’t designed for conquering canyons, the F Sport model holds its own in corners when pushed in Sport mode. The combined 227 kW offers ample power for overtaking, and the all-wheel-drive system provides surefooted handling.

The starting price for the NX range in South Africa is R986,800 for the NX 250. Climbing to the top-of-the-line NX 450h+ F Sport Handling represents a significant price jump. The sticker price starts at R 1.3 million, and a fully loaded model can quickly reach over R 1.4 million.

The NX 450h+ competes with established rivals like the 2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge. The Lexus boasts a clear advantage in electric-only range, edging out the Volvo’s 56 km range. However, Volvo offers their PHEV options across all trims, starting at a slightly lower price point.

The 2024 Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport delivers a tranquil and comfortable driving experience, precisely what you’d expect from a family-oriented luxury SUV focused on fuel efficiency. It offers ample boot space, phenomenal fuel economy, and a decent electric-only range, with the option for a touch of performance and a luxurious feel.

For South Africans seeking a practical and efficient luxury SUV that can handle daily commutes, family adventures, and even light towing duties, the NX 450h+ F Sport is a compelling option.