2026 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport AWD review

The Toyota Corolla Cross is the latest recipient of the brand's GR Sport theme in Australia. 

Introduced in mid-2025, the GR Sport is a new Corolla Cross variant, and follows similar Gazoo Racing-themed treatment for the Yaris Cross, C-HR, HiLux and LandCruiser 300 Series in Australia. 

It will be joined by the RAV4 GR Sport later this year, which will be offered exclusively as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). 

The new variant arrived at the same time as an update for the wider Corolla Cross range in Australia, and we jumped behind the wheel of the GR Sport for a week to see if it's the grade you should pick.

The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport AWD starts from $50,990 before on-road costs, making it the joint-dearest variant, alongside the Atmos AWD.

Standard equipment across the Corolla Cross range includes dual-zone automatic air conditioning, LED headlights, auto-folding side mirrors, keyless entry and push-button start, and USB front charging ports.

The GXL adds a 10.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, connected satellite navigation, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, LED daytime running lights, rear privacy glass, roof rails, a wireless smartphone charger, a 360-degree camera, and a leather-accented steering wheel and gear shifter.

Stepping up to the Atmos, which the GR Sport is based on, brings a Nanoe X air purification system, a fold-down rear centre armrest, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and an automatic parking system.

It also gains a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, an electric tailgate, white-only interior ambient lighting, and a panoramic glass roof.

The GR Sport AWD is positioned as an alternative to the identically priced Atmos AWD, with 19-inch alloy wheels, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, "suede-like synthetic leather" upholstery, and front bucket seats.

Additionally, it has a unique front bumper treatment resembling the GR Yaris and GR Corolla hot hatches.

There are also GR-branded red brake calipers, a unique steering tune, 10mm lower ride height courtesy of sports springs and dampers, and a 'Sport' drive mode.

However, the GR Sport loses the Atmo's front fog lamps, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel and electric tailgate kick sensor.

It would be nice if the GR Sport retained all these features, even if it meant it was one or two thousand dollars dearer than the Atmos, rather than the same cost.

If you're looking for more pricing, specifications, and the latest offers on the Toyota Corolla Cross range, click here.

The Corolla Cross AWD has a 380-litre boot, down from between 414L and 425L for front-wheel-drive versions.

Toyota does not provide a measurement for the Corolla Cross's luggage space with its second-row seats folded. Due to the hybrid battery's fitment, the seats do not fold flat with the boot area.

In the second-row, there was good toe room, but limited head and leg room behind the driving position set for my 182cm height.

Rear occupants are treated to air vents, a fold-down centre armrest – lacking a pull tab to make it easier to open – with two cupholders, two USB-C charging ports, auto up/down windows, and a single map pocket behind the passenger seat.

To mount child seats, there are easily accessible ISOFIX anchor points with removable covers in the outboard second-row seats and three top-tether points.

The extra space in a RAV4 would likely be better suited to family duties, though the Corolla Cross offers more room than other small SUVs, such as the Mazda CX-30.

While Toyota Australia's website lists the Corolla Cross as a medium SUV, along with the RAV4 and bZ4X, it sits at the top end of the small SUV segment, with dimensions similar to those of the Nissan Qashqai, Mazda CX-30 and Kia Seltos.

The GR Sport, as well as the GXL and Atmos, upgrade to a larger 10.5-inch infotainment touchscreen instead of the base GX's 8.0-inch unit.

It runs the same Multimedia Connect package found in most Toyota vehicles on sale in Australia, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected satellite navigation, and an integrated voice assistant.

However, it is worth noting the built-in satellite navigation and voice assistant, as Toyota Connected Services features, are only complimentary for the first year of ownership.

While SOS emergency calls and 'essential vehicle insights' don't require a subscription, owners must select a $9.95 per month 'Connect+' plan to retain stolen vehicle tracking and 'Status Connect' with guest driver settings on the myToyota Connect application.

These features are separate to the 'Connect Multimedia' subscription, which includes connected navigation, separate driver profiles and the connected voice assistant. These features cost $12.50 per month, on top of the Connect+ plan.

The touchscreen is simple to operate, with clearly defined menus and shortcut controls for accessing CarPlay or Android Auto, music, phone, navigation, and apps. It supports AM, FM and DAB+ radio bands.

The Atmos and GR Sport feature a nine-speaker JBL 'premium' audio system, which undoubtedly sounds nicer than the unbranded six-speaker system in lower grades, but it didn't impress me as much as other branded stereos.

The GR Sport is not included in the Corolla Cross's five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2022, and is considered 'unrated'. 

Applicable to the GX, GXL and Atmos, the Corolla Cross scored 85 per cent for adult occupant protection, 88 per cent for child occupant protection, 87 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 83 per cent for safety assist. 

It is fitted with dual front, side and curtain airbags, as well as a driver's knee airbag and a front-centre airbag, for a total of eight.

The Corolla Cross's safety technology performed well during our testing, though I had to turn off the 'Curve Speed Reduction' feature, as I found it more of a hindrance than a helpful driver-assist feature.

The feature slows the car down when going around corners, even small curves, with the adaptive cruise control set, but thankfully it can be permanently turned off in the instrument cluster settings.

It is fitted with all the most common active safety features – though it lacks traffic jam assist – without any annoying beeps or warnings.

However, the automatic parking system struggled to correctly parallel park between two cars on the street. 

I chickened out of further experimentation when it refused to let me manually move forward or backward after I tried to cancel the poor automated parking attempt midway, leaving me stranded on the street until I restarted the car. 

Perhaps there was an easier way, or it was a one-off glitch, but I didn't want to potentially hold up traffic to get the system working properly.

The Corolla Cross is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, with two years of additional coverage for its engine, electric motor and driveline if the "vehicle is properly serviced and maintained as per vehicle Warranty and Service Book".

Under the same conditions, its high-voltage battery warranty can also be extended to 10 years and unlimited kilometres, "subject to [an] annual Traction Battery Health Check".

If the vehicle is used for commercial purposes – such as for a hire vehicle, ridesharing or food delivery – the kilometre limit falls to 160,000km.

Toyota's capped-price servicing is listed at $275 for each service for the first five services – with 12-month or 15,000km intervals, whichever comes first – totalling $1375.

Over the same period, a Hyundai Kona Hybrid will cost $2770 (averaging $554 per service), a Nissan Qashqai e-Power will cost $399 per service to total $1995, and a Mazda CX-30 G25 AWD will cost $2294 (averaging $459 per service).

The Corolla Cross GR Sport AWD costs $1745.50 to insure, based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

It compares to $1576.47 for a Hyundai Kona Premium N Line Hybrid, $1816.35 for a Nissan Qashqai N-Design e-Power, and $1562.30 for a Mazda CX-30 G25 Astina AWD with identical insurance quote parameters.

The Corolla Cross is only beaten by the Kona and Niro hybrids as the most fuel-efficient small SUV currently on sale in Australia, until the updated Nissan Qashqai e-Power arrives (4.0 litres per 100 kilometres).

Front-wheel-drive Corolla Cross grades are rated at 4.2L/100km compared to the Hyundai's 3.9L/100km and Kia's 4.0L/100km.

All-wheel-drive grades are slightly thirstier at 4.4L/100km for the GXL and Atmos, and 4.5L/100km for the GR Sport, likely due to tweaks such as its larger 19-inch wheels.

After 597km of driving across a mixture of urban, highway and rural conditions, the GR Sport returned 5.1L/100km, remaining close to its official fuel consumption rating.

It can be fuelled with 91-octane unleaded, unlike the latest Camry that requires dearer 95-octane premium unleaded.

The Toyota Corolla Cross is fitted with a 112kW/188Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine matched to an electric motor and an electronic continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) automatic.

Toyota claims a 146kW combined system output – it does not provide a combined torque figure – making it more powerful than hybrid rivals, such as the Kona (100kW) and Qashqai e-Power (140kW).

However, in real-world driving, the Qashqai e-Power feels sprightlier than the Corolla Cross, and there is far less engine noise from the Nissan when accelerating.

While the Corolla Cross might not be the most refined hybrid SUV on the market, it is still hard to fault.

The easiest way to describe the Corolla Cross is that you can just get in and drive without having to get used to a different driving experience, such as a dual-clutch transmission. It gets things right, without being exceptional.

That is great if you're upgrading from an older car and don't want too much change, while still benefiting from the efficiency of its petrol-electric hybrid system.

All of the fundamental driving elements – acceleration, braking, handling, steering feel, road noise, suspension, et cetera – do not stand out, or are class-leading, but are also without any concerns.

Some additional noise suppression, or more electric power to avoid the need for petrol assistance, would benefit the Corolla Cross by reducing engine noise during acceleration and start-up.

All Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid grades have a 750kg braked and unbraked towing capacity. 

If you need to tow more, the new-generation RAV4 AWD has a 1500kg braked towing capacity or 800kg for front-wheel-drive grades. 

The Corolla Cross GR Sport has a 450kg payload, which is the extra weight the vehicle can carry, such as passengers, cargo and accessories. 

If you have $50,000 to spend and you're in the market for a small SUV, the Toyota Corolla Cross is worth shortlisting, along with the Hyundai Kona and Nissan Qashqai, but the GR Sport is not the pick of the range.

Instead, if you don't care about its sportier design or relatively minor enhancements, the front- or all-wheel-drive Atmos presents better value than the GR Sport.

In fact, the $3000-cheaper front-wheel-drive Atmos might be all you need, as it is even more fuel-efficient, offers more luggage space, and retains a space-saver spare wheel instead of a tyre repair kit.

However, opting for AWD does see a shift to an independent multi-link rear suspension setup, rather than a simpler fixed torsion-beam, to improve the driving experience, if that is a consideration for you, along with extra grip when needed.

You could also get away with the mid-spec Corolla Cross GXL, which is reasonably well equipped, even if it looks like a rental car, or step up to the new-generation 2026 RAV4 GXL Hybrid AWD at a similar cost ($52,340) to the Corolla Cross GR Sport.

Personally, I'd choose the soon-to-arrive $53,640 MY26 Nissan Qashqai Ti-L e-Power (avoid the N-Design), but it is easy to see the Toyota's appeal with its vast dealer network, affordable capped-price servicing, reliable track record, and decent hybrid efficiency.

Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.

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