Is this the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross for Australia? Thai-market version of the Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, GWM Haval Jolion SUV rival revealed with fresh take on familiar design

Toyota has shown off its updated Corolla Cross in Thailand sporting a look that’s very different from the new version of the small SUV revealed by the carmaker late last year in Japan.

So which of these two designs will Australia get when the new Corolla Cross lands here soon? 

It’s just another case of the car world having different ‘alternative design realities’ where regional tastes determine how manufacturers style and market vehicles.

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The Japanese version of the Corolla Cross we reported on back in November 2023 has more aggressive front-end styling inline with the same treatment used on the Toyota Kluger and RAV4 in Australia. There’s the large lower grille with a tough looking frame under blade-like LED headlights.

In contrast this latest look we’ve seen in Thailand has a more refined and harmonious look with a wraparound honeycomb grille that seamlessly fades into the bumper under headlights joined by what appears to be a transparent LED strip.

The front-end design is reminiscent of what we’re seeing from Chinese carmakers with the Chery Omoda 5, MG ZS and even the LDV eDeliver7 van. It’s EV-like styling that suggests the grille is more a design element rather than a functional feature.

As for which Corolla Cross will come to Australia, the answer might disappoint those who prefer the Thai version because it’s highly unlikely that’ll be the one we’ll get.

The updated Japanese Corolla Cross also scored revisions to the interior including an updated multimedia system with in-car Wi-Fi on higher grades.

Nope, our Corolla Cross will almost certainly resemble the version revealed in Japan last year - the tough, aggressive one. The reason for Australia’s Corolla Cross is sourced from Japan and the design matches the look of the SUVs already in our local line-up. 

So as much as the Thai version has a pleasing design, it would look out of place among the other models in Toyota’s Aussie range.

The updated Japanese Corolla Cross also scored revisions to the interior including an updated multimedia system with in-car Wi-Fi on higher grades. 

The new model will also come with upgraded safety tech including sensors which can now spot oncoming vehicles at intersections.

The new model will also come with upgraded safety tech including sensors which can now spot oncoming vehicles at intersections, plus AEB which can detect pedestrians.

CarsGuide asked Toyota when we might expect to see the Australian version arrive locally, but the brand is keeping its cards close for now. 

“We are always looking at opportunities to enhance our model line-up, but we have nothing to announce today,” a Toyota Australia spokesperson told us.

The Corolla Cross arrived in Australia in 2022 as an all-new model for Toyota to go head-to-head with rivals such as the Kia Seltos and GWM Haval Jolion. 

Sales for the Corolla Cross in 2023 topped 7932 placing it far behind the RAV4 with 29,627 sales for the year.