2023 Toyota Corolla Cross vs Honda ZR-V: Engines, arrival timing and possible pricing compared between two game-changing hybrid small SUVs

There’s plenty of demand for fuel-sipping hybrid small SUVs, and these two highly-anticipated models from Toyota and Honda promise to be practical family-friendly options slotting below their mid-size RAV-4 and CR-V equivalents.

Yep, its the Corolla Cross and Honda ZR-V - two new nameplates due to hit Australian showrooms in the near future that promise to shake-up the SUV segment and draw even more buyers away from hatchbacks and sedans.

They’re remarkably similar in size and intent, but how do they compare on the numbers, and which should you pick? We’ve gathered what we know about both to help you guide your decision.

Arrival timing

Both models will arrive for a 2023 model year, with Honda most recently telling CarsGuide the ZR-V is set to arrive in the next 12-18 months from June, suggesting an arrival before Q4 of 2023.

Meanwhile the Corolla Cross is tipped to arrive before the end of 2022, or possibly early 2023 depending on the supply issues currently facing the industry.

It is likely there will be limited supply of both cars at launch, and potentially long waiting lists for both.

Price

Pricing is unknown for both cars, but we know the Corolla Cross will be sourced from Japan rather than Thailand, hardly suggestive of a bargain starting price.

If placed between current C-HR and RAV4 prices, we could expect a starting price of around $29,990 before on-roads. It remains to be seen whether base versions of the Corolla Cross will significantly undercut the C-HR, or how many hybrid variants will be available in the range. Generally, Toyota hybrids are around $2000 more expensive than their purely combustion counterparts.

The ZR-V is more difficult to speculate about when it comes to price. It’s fair to say it will sit above the new-generation HR-V (from $36,700 driveaway) but below the larger CR-V (currently from $41,700, but we don’t know how much the new one will be yet). It could possibly be as expensive or even more expensive than the new Civic hatch (from $47,200).

Following the rest of Honda’s range in recent times, expect it to be highly specified but more expensive than many competitors. The new ZR-V is expected to be sourced from Japan.

Equipment

It appears both cars will mirror their hatch equivalents when it comes to standard gear, with the Corolla Cross having a similar interior to the Corolla hatch, with items like a digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control and LED headlights. Toyota has also confirmed that the Corolla Cross will feature wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Meanwhile, the ZR-V appears to have a very similar interior to the new Honda Civic, complete with the same steering wheel, interior trims, and similar screens for its multimedia suite and dash. This suggests, like the new Civic, it will also have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, LED headlights and other high-end equipment, as also seen on the HR-V.

Drivetrains

Both our players here will be available with hybrid and conventional engine choices.

The Corolla Cross sets itself apart from the Corolla with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid and non-hybrid options (as opposed to the Corolla’s older 1.8-litre hybrid). Overseas, this powertrain produces 125kW/200Nm in purely combustion form, or a combined 146kW in hybrid form. 

In Japan, there looks to be both front- and all-wheel-drive versions of the Corolla Cross available, and if the brand follows the same model in Australia, as it has with cars like the Yaris Cross, the option of all-wheel drive via an electrified rear axle should also be an option here.

Meanwhile the ZR-V is confirmed in Japan to have either a 2.0-litre four-cylinder e:HEV hybrid or a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo. Both will be equipped with a continuously variable automatic, but it remains to be seen whether Australian delivered cars will be front-wheel drive or even with the option of all-wheel drive, as is available in Japan.

In the case of the Civic, the 1.5-litre turbo unit produces 131kW/240Nm, while the hybrid 2.0-litre produces a combined 135kW/315Nm.

Dimensions

The Corolla Cross measures in at 4460mm long, 1825mm wide, and 1620mm tall.

The ZR-V is certainly the larger of the two, measuring in at 4567mm long, 1840mm wide, and 1621mm tall.

Boot space

The Corolla cross has an impressive 487-litre boot capacity, placing it ahead of many of its peers, and more in-line with larger small SUV rivals like the Kia Seltos and Nissan Qashqai.

The ZR-V looks to have a clear advantage, though, with its boot capacity rated at a whopping 691 litres, at least for the US-market model.

Safety

The ZR-V is expected to have the same fully-fledged active safety equipment as its Civic relation, which should include high-speed auto emergency braking, lane support features, adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. It is also tipped to have 10 airbags complete with driver and front passenger airbags.

A similar story can be told for the Corolla Cross, which is expected to have a similar standard safety suite to its Corolla hatch relation, with a similar equipment level to its ZR-V rival including all the core items like auto emergency braking, lane support and adaptive cruise. Stay tuned for the final number of airbags in Australian-delivered models.