The European Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport looks hot

What’s with Europe getting some really attractive-looking Toyota vehicles recently? First, they had the new CH-R+ BEV and bZ4x debut there, and now, their version of the Corolla Cross gets its turn to be updated for 2025.

The standard model has its fair share of upgrades, but the focus is on the (new for them) GR Sport variant as it receives the biggest changes inside and out.

While retaining the general shape and body panels of the current Corolla Cross, the most noticeable change is the new headlights. Apart from the adaptive high-beam tech, the daytime running lights are more aggressive, now bearing a similar look to the ones found on the RAV4.

The bumper of the GR Sport looks like they were lifted straight out of its GR siblings, the GR Yaris and GR Corolla with wide, aggressive openings, gloss black Toyota emblems, and a GR emblem.

The standard Corolla Cross receives the same honeycomb pattern grille that we have, except for the center strip that connects the two headlights and acts as a light bar.

The side profile is untouched, except for the thin spoked, 19-inch wheels for the GR Sport (up to 18 inches for the standard model), a black roof, and a distinct lack of chrome accents on the sides. As for the back, apart from the revised taillights, the only difference between the two model grades are the blacked-out badging and GR badges, and an exclusive Storm Gray finish.

The dashboard design of the Corolla Cross remains mostly the same, except for the addition of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.5-inch infotainment across all model grades.

The lower half of the dashboard has been redesigned to accommodate a new shifter, a more powerful wireless charger, a sliding storage box with additional storage for your smartphone, and the relocation of switches for several key functions.

The GR Sport grade receives seats upholstered in Brin Naub, a suede-like synthetic leather, with GR logos and red contrast stitching, and it gets some much-needed separation with a different power steering calibration for a heavier steering feel, a 10mm lower ride height, and a tweaked Sport Mode with improved acceleration and deceleration for a more engaging driving experience.

European models are offered in two powertrain variants, the Hybrid 140 with 140 horsepower from the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, and the more powerful Hybrid 200 variant that pushes out 197 horsepower, with available all-wheel drive.

These also utilize the fifth generation of Toyota’s Hybrid System, with a lighter power control unit, new high-output drive motors, and a high-output lithium-ion battery. The car now rides quieter with improved insulation on the roof and rear, and higher grades also receive new dashboard insulation to further cut down on engine noise.

Historically, Europe has gotten several updates way ahead of other markets (including Japan), so could this new Corolla Cross preview yet another mid-life cycle update for the Corolla Cross?

^{Photos from Toyota Europe}