Toyota Corolla Cross vs Toyota bZ

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross presented a conservative design approach, contrasting with some of Toyota's more daring recent launches. Its styling, reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra with a snub nose and obligatory SUV features like a tall ride height and plastic fender flares, was understated. This seemed intentional, perhaps to ensure it didn't overshadow the larger RAV4. The Corolla Cross was notably compact, being 5.3 inches shorter than the RAV4, yet larger than the Toyota C-HR, offering more interior space. Subtle styling details included scalloping around the rear door handles and hidden Corolla Cross logos throughout the vehicle. The interior mirrored the Corolla sedan and hatchback, with oversized door handles akin to the RAV4. However, material quality felt subpar compared to its siblings, with the base L model feeling basic and the XLE offering SofTex leatherette upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, available in XLE and Limited trims, offered a more modern and expressive design. The restyled bZ looked better with body-color trim, moving away from the black overfender trim that was divisive in the bZ4X. Inside, the dashboard and center console were cleaner and more organized, enhancing the sense of quality. The XLE's fabric seats featured an upscale pattern, and the center touchscreen was increased to 14 inches, integrating climate control. Despite the digital driver display's placement issues, the bZ's interior was functional and comfortable, with standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The bZ's design improvements and thoughtful interior features made it a more appealing choice for those seeking a modern electric vehicle.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This CVT featured an actual first gear for improved acceleration, though it transitioned abruptly to normal CVT operation. While the Corolla Cross managed highway speeds, the engine worked hard, resulting in typical CVT issues like engine droning. The optional AWD system, shared with the Toyota Camry, could send 10% to 50% of torque to the rear wheels, but body roll was noticeable during cornering. With 8.2 inches of ground clearance and a 1,500-pound towing capacity, the Corolla Cross was not designed for off-roading but offered decent ride quality and interior quietness.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a choice between single-motor FWD and dual-motor AWD configurations, with two battery sizes. The XLE FWD with a 57.7-kWh battery provided 165 horsepower and 198 pound-feet of torque, with a range of 236 miles. The optional 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles. Dual-motor models produced 338 hp and offered a range of up to 288 miles. The bZ's charging capabilities included compatibility with Tesla Superchargers and a CCS adapter for versatile charging options. Efficiency tests showed favorable results, with the bZ averaging 4.5 miles per kWh in Eco mode. While the bZ excelled as a comfortable cruiser, its handling on winding roads was limited by the Bridgestone Turanza tires and lifeless steering.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross offered more passenger and cargo space than the Corolla hatchback, with increased rear legroom and headroom. It featured standard rear climate-control vents and dual-zone automatic climate control in XLE models. Cargo space was competitive, with 26.5 cubic feet available with FWD and 66.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the interior comfort was lacking, with hard and unsupportive seats and a tall, upright driving position that felt SUV-like but uncomfortable for long trips.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, provided easy access with 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The seats were comfortable, with eight-way power adjustment and standard heated front seats. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage options, including a large bin under the center armrest and dual wireless smartphone chargers. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, though foot space was tight. The bZ offered 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space, with an underfloor storage well for additional room. Folding the back seats down provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen on base models, with an 8-inch touchscreen on LE and XLE trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked sophistication, with plain graphics and slow startup. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other connectivity features were standard, while a nine-speaker JBL audio system was optional. The LE and XLE models included additional USB ports and wireless charging, though the charging pad's size was limited.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display's placement and data density posed challenges, but the infotainment system was generally easy to use. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with several connected service plans available. The Drive Connect system powered native navigation and an Intelligent Assistant voice assistant, which performed well in testing. However, the lack of a home screen and low-contrast colors in daytime mode were drawbacks.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The LE trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the XLE included rear automatic braking and park assist. Crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time of writing.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including proactive driving assist, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Limited trim added Traffic Jam Assist and other advanced features. While the IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech highly, its headlights received a Poor rating, and frontal-impact crash tests earned Acceptable ratings. NHTSA ratings were not available.