Toyota has released the first-of-its-kind 2022 Corolla Cross, and the expectations are big.
So, to see if it can live up to its promise, we put it up for comparison against the 2021 Subaru Forester.
How They Differ
Engine and Transmission
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine with 169-horse power & CVT transmission.
2021 Subaru Forester – 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine with 182-horse power & CVT transmission makes it the more powerful vehicle of the two.
Fuel Economy
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – 32 combined MPG, making it more efficient than its competitor.
2021 Subaru Forester – 29 combined MPG.
Off-road Capabilities
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – For those looking to take this vehicle off-road, the available AWD and Dynamic Torque Control make for responsive handling. However, its ground clearance is just 8.1 inches.
2021 Subaru Forester – Higher ground clearance of 9.2 inches gives the Forester better off-road capabilities.
Brakes and Stopping
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – 4-wheel disc braking, 4-wheel anti-lock braking system, and 12-inch front brake rotors give it better stopping power in comparison to the Forester.
2021 Subaru Forester – 4-wheel disc braking, 4-wheel anti-lock braking system, and 11.6-inch front brake rotors.
Safety
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – Lane tracing assist, electronic stability control, ABS, driveline traction control, and backup camera.
2021 Subaru Forester – EyeSight Pre-Collison Braking, electronic stability control, automatic brake assist, and backup camera. So, both vehicles are quite evenly matched when it comes to safety technologies.
Towing
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – Maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.
2021 Subaru Forester – Much higher maximum towing capacity of 3,000 pounds.
Styling
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – With flared wings and a tapered cabin, the new Corolla Cross sports a rough and ready exterior that stands out from the SUV crowd!
2021 Subaru Forester – In comparison, this vehicle has a more boxy appearance, with Subaru clearly opting to emphasize performance over looks.
Interior Features and Technology
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – The spacious interior features heated front seats and faux leather upholstery, while the dashboard has a 7″ LCD monitor. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto & Amazon Alexa are all compatible.
2021 Subaru Forester – A more straightforward interior cabin than the Corolla, with optimal outward visibility. The onboard technologies include Subaru’s Starlink interface, with a 6.5″ display.
Passenger Space
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – Total passenger volume of 95.0 cubic feet.
2021 Subaru Forester – Total passenger volume of 111.6 cubic feet, meaning it’s the more spacious of the two vehicles.
Cargo Capacity
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – 51 cubic feet total.
2021 Subaru Forester – More than double that of the Corolla, with 122.9 cubic feet total.
Suspension and Handling
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – Featuring a strut for the front suspension and a torsion beam at the rear, this makes for precise handling and good agility.
2021 Subaru Forester – Though it also sports a strut suspension up front, this vehicle has a double-wishbone suspension at the rear, giving it predictable and firm handling.
Tires and Wheels
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – 17″ steel wheels & P215/65HR17 tires.
2021 Subaru Forester – 17″ aluminum wheels & P225/60TR17 tires.
Maintenance and Service
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – 2 years complimentary scheduled maintenance.
2021 Subaru Forester – By comparison, no scheduled complimentary maintenance.
Warranty Cover
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – Basic 3-year, or 36,00 miles warranty cover on new vehicles.
2021 Subaru Forester – The same 3-year or 36,000 miles warranty cover, meaning both are covered for the same mileage.
Reliability
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – This brand is generally considered fairly average for reliability.
2021 Subaru Forester – In comparison, Subaru consistently ranks below Toyota for reliability, which could become an issue for the vehicle owner over time.
Model Availability
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – This vehicle gives the buyer several different options for body style and drive configurations. You can choose between the sedan, four-door, or four-door hatchback styling, and it’s also available in both front-wheel and four-wheel drive.
2021 Subaru Forester – In comparison, this vehicle is only available as a four-door vehicle with four-wheel drive.
Price
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross – starts at $24,545.
2022 Subaru Forester – starts at $25,895.
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross vs. Subaru Forester: Which Crossover SUV is Best for You?
The Subaru Forester is superior when it comes to off-road capabilities and performance.
It also offers more space, making the car worth its slightly higher asking price.
However, the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is the better option if you want a more maneuverable and affordable vehicle.
Final Thoughts
There’s not a huge difference between the two vehicles – both the Corolla Cross and the Forester are excellent buys.
So, if you’re still unsure after reading our comparison of the two, why not give them both a test drive?