Latest news with #CorollaCross
IOL News
4 days ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
Hijackers target Gauteng as demand for stolen vehicles rises sharply
According to figures from the South African Police Services (SAPS), an average of 66 cars are forcefully taken from drivers each day, marking a significant rise from levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. Gauteng province has the highest number of hijackings, making this a serious concern across South Africa. The province accounts for nearly half of all reported cases. This was revealed in data showing a sharp increase in incidents involving popular car brands. According to figures from the South African Police Services (SAPS), an average of 66 cars are forcefully taken from drivers each day, marking a significant rise from levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. This alarming trend highlights the growing sophistication and boldness of criminal networks targeting motorists. The Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal also report elevated hijacking rates, each contributing approximately 14 percent to the national total. It's important to note that these numbers specifically refer to hijackings involving threats or violence; the number of total vehicle thefts, including non-violent ones, exceeds 40 000 annually. Security experts and insurance companies have been warning of this surge. Fidelity Services Group noted earlier this year that the first half of 2024 would likely see a rise in hijackings. That prediction has since proven accurate, with particular models repeatedly appearing on high-risk lists. Criminals generally select vehicles based on market demand, often stripping them for parts or reselling them in other countries. Among the most targeted brands are Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford, and Nissan. Specific models such as the Toyota RAV4 and Corolla Cross have become increasingly sought-after by hijackers. The Corolla Cross, though only introduced in South Africa in late 2021, quickly rose in popularity, selling over 22,000 units in 2024 and consistently ranking among the top-selling vehicles in the country. Other vehicles frequently listed as high-risk include the BMW 3 Series, Ford Ranger, Hyundai i20, Nissan NP200, Toyota Etios, Fortuner, Hilux, Prado, Land Cruiser, and various VW Polo models. These vehicles are not only popular locally but are also in demand across the continent, especially due to the availability of spare parts. Some cars, particularly four-wheel drives and utility vehicles, are also targeted for their ability to handle rough terrain, making them ideal for cross-border smuggling. Fidelity reports that about 30 percent of stolen or hijacked vehicles are taken into neighbouring countries. In one recent operation, authorities recovered several vehicles — including a Toyota Fortuner, an Isuzu bakkie, and a Land Rover Discovery — at a property in Kibler Park, Johannesburg. These cars were allegedly en route to Eswatini, linked to a syndicate smuggling vehicles across borders. Additionally, there has been a noticeable uptick in hijackings involving delivery vehicles. Criminals now often target vehicles not just for the cars themselves, but for the valuable cargo they carry. Models like the Hyundai H100 are commonly affected, as online shopping and deliveries have increased dramatically. To minimise risk, security professionals advise staying alert, especially when approaching or leaving your home. If you suspect you're being followed, head to the nearest police station or a busy, well-lit area. If confronted, avoid resisting—most hijackers are armed, and resistance could escalate the danger. Awareness and caution remain the most effective personal defence.
7NEWS
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross price, spec details leaked
Key details of the updated 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross lineup, including pricing, has been leaked online. A dealer bulletin shared on the Toyota Corolla Cross Owners Australia group on Facebook reveals the entire lineup will receive a $960 price hike, while also detailing some of the spec changes coming to the small crossover SUV. Toyota has previously confirmed a local launch for the upgraded small SUV in the second half of 2025. We've contacted the company for an update. Per the bulletin, the Corolla Cross will arrive at dealerships in late July in both GX and Atmos trims, with the GXL and new GR-S trim (pictured below) arriving in early October. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The bulletin mentions 'production delays due to pending certification' for the GXL and GR-S, which were originally set to arrive alongside the rest of the range. The updated lineup will open at $37,440 before on-road costs for the base front-wheel drive GX, and top out at $50,990 before on-roads for both the all-wheel drive Atmos and GR-S. All variants get HF01234YF refrigerant for their air-conditioning systems and an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) to alert passersby to the hybrid SUV's presence. The front and rear Parking Support Brake function, which applies the brakes if it detects an object or vehicle and which was previously exclusive to the Atmos, is being rolled out to the GX and GXL. The GXL also picks up the following features from the Atmos: Rain-sensing wipers Surround-view camera Snow drive mode (all-wheel drive model only) Wireless phone charger Heated front seats The Atmos gains ventilated front seats. There's also updated centre console trim for the GX, GXL and Atmos. The new GR-S (or GR Sport) variant revealed in May features unique front and rear bumpers, as well as lower sports suspension, retuned steering, and unique 19-inch alloy wheels. Ever since petrol-powered variants were dropped locally in 2024, all Australian-market Corolla Cross vehicles come with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain delivering 146kW of total system power. The wider range receives refreshed exterior styling including new LED headlight internals for the GXL and Atmos. Toyota may be the best-selling car brand in Australia by a country mile, but the Corolla Cross was only the seventh best-selling vehicle in its segment last year, behind the MG ZS, Hyundai Kona, GWM Haval Jolion, Mazda CX-30, Mitsubishi ASX and Subaru Crosstrek.
The Citizen
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Hybrid Chery Tiggo Cross declares war on Toyota Corolla Cross
Massive undercut in price means that Toyota will have its hands full in fight against Chinese. We have said this several times before. Toyota have weathered the Chinese onslaught the best, with the Corolla Cross being one of their trump cards in this fight. But the Chery Tiggo Cross hybrid (HEV) has just landed locally and is going straight after the Toyota Corolla Cross HEV. It's not a fight anymore, it's an all-out war now! Aggressive pricing Chery have priced the Tiggo Cross HEV models at R439 900 for the Comfort and R469 900 for the top-of-the-range Elite. This massively undercuts the Toyota Corolla Cross XS HEV at R494 400, the XR R545 220 and the HEV GR-S at R561 700. Give or take a price difference of almost R100 000 is going to put the Toyota Corolla Cross under pressure. Especially in the more budget sensitive part of the market. Powering the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV is a 1.5-litre engine which develops 71kW of power and 118Nm of torque in normal guise. Now add to this an electric motor powered by a 1.83kWh battery pack and the combined power jumps up to 150kW and 310Nm. This is sent to the front wheels by a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). It is more than enough to outgun the 90kW/142Nm Toyota Corolla Cross HEV on paper. Perhaps of even more importance, especially if you are talking savings, the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV is claimed to return an average fuel consumption of 5.4 litres per 100km. The Chinese carmaker says this translates into a range of around 1 000km on a tank of fuel. The vehicle employs an intelligent start-stop system to further conserve fuel. Chery Tiggo Cross offers best of both worlds The Chery Tiggo Cross HEV is said to deliver the best of both worlds by eliminating range anxiety yet still delivering outstanding fuel efficiency. The vehicle's intelligent powertrain seamlessly switches between four operating modes: Pure Electric, Series Hybrid, Parallel Hybrid, and Energy Recovery. As to be expected, during low-speed city driving, the system prioritises pure electric mode to eliminate unneeded fuel consumption. ALSO READ: Gloves off as Chery Tiggo Cross hybrid shoots for Corolla Cross The Chery Tiggo Cross Comfort and Elite HEV get to ride on model specific 17-inch alloy wheels. But their comprehensive spec list aligns closely with the non-hybrid Comfort and Elite variants. This means you get the likes of automatic LED headlights and LED daytime running lights. Plus a tailgate spoiler, chrome-plated dual exhaust tips, and body-coloured exterior finishes. The Elite variant adds sports red-painted brake callipers, and an electrically operated sunroof. On the inside, the Chery Tiggo Cross HEV offers a soft-touch dashboard and black leather upholstery. Which, on the Elite, extends to the multi-function steering wheel. You also get a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with heating for passenger and driver. Ambient lighting, automatic wipers, two zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, second row air vents, and a 60/40 split rear bench are standard across both trims. ALSO READ: Toyota Corolla Cross leads uprise of new energy vehicles in Mzansi Packed with spec There is a 10.25-inch digital driver's display, and an infotainment touchscreen. The latter including Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Comfort gets a four-speaker sound system. The Elite receives a six-speaker unit, and but both trims gain a wireless mobile phone charger. The Chery Tiggo Cross HEV is also equipped with the latest safety features. These include items such as Traction Control, Emergency Brake Assist to dual front, front side, and side curtain airbags. The Comfort variant receives a rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines. The Elite comes equipped with a host of electronic driver assistance features Chery Tiggo Cross HEV pricing Chery Tiggo Cross HEV Comfort – R439 900 Chery Tiggo Cross HEV Elite – R469 900 *Pricing includes a comprehensive five-year/150 000km warranty, 10-year/unlimited mileage (for first owner) battery warranty and five-year/60 000km service plan.
Miami Herald
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Toyota's Next Corolla Cross Could Get Prius-Like Makeover
From the GR Corolla to TRD-badged large SUVs, Toyota has several new models for all kinds of enthusiasts, be it those who enjoy track days or adventure junkies who prefer off-roading. However, there are a few cheaper Toyotas that still give off the dependable-but-entirely-unremarkable vibe many still associate with the brand. One such Toyota is the Corolla Cross, the smallest Toyota crossover in America. Based on comments by a Toyota exec, this model's bland design is hurting sales in certain markets. He strongly hinted at the need for a more exciting future design, as well as a look unique to major markets, to drive more interest in the Honda HR-V rival. In Europe, sales of the Corolla Cross were down by 14% across the first four months of 2025, whereas the more evocative C-HR (not currently sold in the USA) saw sales rise by 9.6% over the same period, relative to 2024. "We don't have the perfect Corolla Cross for Europe, in the sense it's a global model," said Andrea Carlucci, head of product strategy and marketing at Toyota Europe, when speaking with Auto News. "If we bring more European zest, sales will be up." He specifically suggested that designing a single model to cater to both Japanese and American tastes has come at the expense of what Europeans want. The next Corolla Cross, then, could get unique designs for Europe and the USA. It wouldn't be the first time a major model gets a unique design for these two regions - Honda already sells a Euro HR-V that looks completely different to the American one. To address the crossover's lack of personality, a new GR Sport trim was recently introduced for Europe. Around the same time, the US-spec Corolla Cross got a more aggressive design, but it's still not as interesting as a Hyundai Kona or Chevrolet Trailblazer. Carlucci's comments suggest that the next Corolla Cross will receive a much sportier design, and as we've seen recently with the Prius, Toyota has the ability to quickly transform a nameplate from bland to glam. In America, the current Corolla Cross has a 169-horsepower engine. Paired with a CVT, acceleration is both languid and boomy. Take the Mazda CX-30, for example; its base model makes 191 hp, and the conventional six-speed automatic also makes for a sportier driving experience. Then again, Americans don't seem to be as sensitive to the Corolla Cross's ordinary look. In the first quarter of 2025, sales of Toyota's smallest SUV in this market were up by 45.2% relative to 2024. The popularity of the 196-hp hybrid helps, too - it's one of the most efficient crossovers around, and isn't as slow as the base model. But Toyota has clearly not yet unlocked the potential of the Corolla Cross. If the next gen could mix a Prius-like makeover with hybrid-only powertrains (as the 2026 RAV4 has done), it could become yet another best-seller for the company. We don't expect to see the second-gen Corolla Cross before 2027. Related: This Is The Cheapest New Toyota Car In America Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Toyota's Next Corolla Cross Could Get Prius-Like Makeover
Unique designs for Europe and America possible From the GR Corolla to TRD-badged large SUVs, Toyota has several new models for all kinds of enthusiasts, be it those who enjoy track days or adventure junkies who prefer off-roading. However, there are a few cheaper Toyotas that still give off the dependable-but-entirely-unremarkable vibe many still associate with the brand. One such Toyota is the Corolla Cross, the smallest Toyota crossover in America. Based on comments by a Toyota exec, this model's bland design is hurting sales in certain markets. He strongly hinted at the need for a more exciting future design, as well as a look unique to major markets, to drive more interest in the Honda HR-V rival. Bland Design Blamed For Flagging Corolla Cross Sales 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross — Source: Toyota In Europe, sales of the Corolla Cross were down by 14% across the first four months of 2025, whereas the more evocative C-HR (not currently sold in the USA) saw sales rise by 9.6% over the same period, relative to 2024. 'We don't have the perfect Corolla Cross for Europe, in the sense it's a global model,' said Andrea Carlucci, head of product strategy and marketing at Toyota Europe, when speaking with Auto News. 'If we bring more European zest, sales will be up.' He specifically suggested that designing a single model to cater to both Japanese and American tastes has come at the expense of what Europeans want. The next Corolla Cross, then, could get unique designs for Europe and the USA. It wouldn't be the first time a major model gets a unique design for these two regions – Honda already sells a Euro HR-V that looks completely different to the American one. Source: Toyota To address the crossover's lack of personality, a new GR Sport trim was recently introduced for Europe. Around the same time, the US-spec Corolla Cross got a more aggressive design, but it's still not as interesting as a Hyundai Kona or Chevrolet Trailblazer. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Carlucci's comments suggest that the next Corolla Cross will receive a much sportier design, and as we've seen recently with the Prius, Toyota has the ability to quickly transform a nameplate from bland to glam. More Power Would Be Welcome, Too Source: Toyota In America, the current Corolla Cross has a 169-horsepower engine. Paired with a CVT, acceleration is both languid and boomy. Take the Mazda CX-30, for example; its base model makes 191 hp, and the conventional six-speed automatic also makes for a sportier driving experience. Then again, Americans don't seem to be as sensitive to the Corolla Cross's ordinary look. In the first quarter of 2025, sales of Toyota's smallest SUV in this market were up by 45.2% relative to 2024. The popularity of the 196-hp hybrid helps, too – it's one of the most efficient crossovers around, and isn't as slow as the base model. But Toyota has clearly not yet unlocked the potential of the Corolla Cross. If the next gen could mix a Prius-like makeover with hybrid-only powertrains (as the 2026 RAV4 has done), it could become yet another best-seller for the company. We don't expect to see the second-gen Corolla Cross before 2027. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
