Toyota Corolla Cross vs Toyota Kluger

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Toyota Corolla Cross at 5 stars (2022) and the Toyota Kluger at 5 stars (2021). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2021). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the Toyota Corolla Cross and 90% for the Toyota Kluger, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 5 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Toyota Kluger, against 4 on the Toyota Corolla Cross.

Both include the essentials: lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 8 in the Toyota Corolla Cross and 7 in the Toyota Kluger.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Toyota Corolla Cross features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the Toyota Kluger gets a 8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

Drivetrain

The Toyota Corolla Cross uses a Petrol producing 146kW and 188Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.

The Toyota Kluger responds with a 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid making 184kW and 242Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.

The Toyota Kluger has the clear power advantage at 184kW vs 146kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Toyota Corolla Cross measures 4,460mm long on a 2,640mm wheelbase, 506mm shorter than the Toyota Kluger at 4,966mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Kluger generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 425L in the Toyota Corolla Cross and 241L in the Toyota Kluger, giving the Toyota Corolla Cross a 184L advantage. The Toyota Kluger seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Toyota Kluger leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 1,250kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

The Toyota Kluger turns in a 11.4 m circle, kerb to kerb; the Toyota Corolla Cross's turning circle is not on our record.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota Corolla Cross costs about $1,197 a year (4.2 L/100km) and fuel for the Toyota Kluger about $1,596 a year (5.6 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $399 a year less for the Toyota Corolla Cross.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Toyota Corolla Cross) and 5 years / Unlimited (Toyota Kluger).

Where each one leads

The Toyota Corolla Cross: the lower starting price ($37,440 against $62,410), the bigger boot with the seats up (425L against 241L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,197 a year against $1,596).

The Toyota Kluger: more power (184kW against 146kW) and the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 750kg).

The Verdict

Toyota Corolla Cross scores higher, 81 vs 78

The Toyota Corolla Cross scores 81 to the Toyota Kluger's 78 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Toyota Corolla Cross ahead by 13 points), value (Toyota Corolla Cross ahead by 12 points), practicality (Toyota Kluger ahead by 12 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota Corolla Cross costs about $399 less (4.2 L/100km against 5.6 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 425L in the Toyota Corolla Cross, 241L in the Toyota Kluger.

Common questions