2024 Toyota Corolla Cross: What has changed?

After rolling out a lot of all-new models last year, 2024 is turning out to be the time for Toyota to focus its attention on its existing models.

Recently, they introduced another facelift for the Hilux pickup truck. But shortly after, Toyota Thailand launched the updated Corolla Cross – making its debut in the ASEAN market. And yes, much to our surprise, it has a different look compared to what the rest of the international markets are getting.

The biggest change is perhaps most visible in the front fascia. For 2024, European, Japanese, and ASEAN market versions of the Corolla Cross are getting unique front ends. Unlike the pre-facelift version that has a separate assembly for the grille, the new look Corolla Cross gets the Lexus-style treatment with the honeycomb grille integrated into the front bumper.

There’s also a new light bar that complements the LED headlights shared with the Euro and Japanese-spec Corolla Cross, while the front bumper gets a busier look thanks to the more prominent faux side intakes. Interestingly, the Corolla Cross retains the Toyota blue halo badge for the hybrid variants, along with new HEV badges found on the front fenders and the tailgate.

Non-Hybrid 2024 MY Toyota Corolla Cross

2024 MY Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport

Apart from the heavy redesign up front, the Corolla Cross in Thailand also gets new wheel designs depending on the variant you choose, with sizes ranging from 16 to 18 inches. Other changes to the exterior include a new pattern for the taillights, and a mildly revised rear bumper. The changes apply to both the non-hybrid and hybrid Corolla Cross models, except the GR Sport variant which remains largely unchanged on the outside.

The new Corolla Cross has carried over the layout of the pre-facelift version, but there are a few significant updates. First of all, the foot-operated parking brake is no more; in place of it is a new electronic parking brake with an auto brake hold function that’s found just below the gear lever. The new Thai-spec Corolla Cross also gets a significantly larger infotainment touchscreen across the entire variant range.

2024 MY Toyota Corolla Cross HEV Premium Interior

2024 MY Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid with Dark Rose Interior

There are three different instrument clusters made for the new Corolla Cross. The non-hybrid variant gets a new digital screen in the middle with dials on either sides like the pre-facelift hybrid variant, but with a tach on the left side instead of the hybrid gauge.

Non-Hybrid Corolla Cross New Gauge Cluster

New Corolla Cross Hybrid Full Digital Instrument Cluster

The lower-spec hybrid variant for Thailand carries over the pre-facelift gauges, but the higher-spec HEV Premium and GR Sport variants get a fully digital instrument cluster.

Other new features for the Thai-spec version include LED ambient lighting, USB-C ports, Dark Rose-colored seats and interior trim, and a panoramic glass roof for higher-spec variants.

However, the Corolla Cross remains mechanically unchanged for the 2024 model year. The 140 PS 1.8-liter non-hybrid is carried over, while the hybrid variant still gets nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries instead of lithium-ion, and puts out a combined output of 122 PS.

Since the Philippines sources the Corolla Cross from Thailand, then we should expect the updated version to arrive in the country in about a few months. Actually, Toyota is already offering the pre-facelift Corolla Cross at discounted prices, which could give indications that the updated models are coming.

So if you already like the Toyota crossover the way it is, then it might be a good time to buy one to take advantage of the price cuts.