A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
EXTER
Strengths
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Corolla Cross
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
EXTER
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Corolla Cross
EXTER
Model Introduced Year
2026
Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation
Facelifted first-generation Corolla Cross built in South Africa
Current South African EXTER listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History
2026 range adds petrol and HEV GR-S derivatives alongside Xi, XS and XR grades
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since
2026 range adds petrol and HEV GR-S derivatives alongside Xi, XS and XR grades
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current South African 2026 specification
Current
Body Style
SUV
Compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
published
published
Segment
SUV
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1385-1430 kg
999 kg
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Color Note
-
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note
-
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Spec
Corolla Cross
EXTER
Length
4460 mm
3815 mm
Width
1825 mm
1710 mm
Height
1620 mm
1631 mm
Wheelbase
2640 mm
2450 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
161 mm
185 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
36 l
37 l
Boot/Cargo Space
434 l
391 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1850 kg
-
Towing Capacity
400 kg
-
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.2 m
-
Kerb Weight
-
999 kg
Spec
Corolla Cross
EXTER
Front Track Width
1559 mm
Not Applicable
Rear Track Width
1571 mm
Not Applicable
Front Suspension
Tread (mm) 1559
Not Available
Rear Suspension
Tread (mm) 1571
Not Available
MagneRide Damping
-
Not Available
Spec
Corolla Cross
EXTER
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Climate Control
Auto Dual zone Standard Cable
Not Available
Power Windows
All All One Touch
Not Available
Keyless Entry
Standard Smart Entry
Not Available
Push Button Start
GR-S Push Start
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Standard Power and Handsfree
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Available
AC Type
Auto Dual zone Standard Cable
Not Available
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Wireless Charging
-
Wireless
Sunroof
-
Not Available
Automatic Headlamps
-
Halogen with automatic function
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
Not Applicable
Adaptive Dampers
-
Not Available
Engine Warranty
-
4
Hill Start Assist
-
Standard
Performance Data Logger
-
Not Available
Rev Matching
-
Not Available
Seat Type
-
Cloth
Steering Mounted Controls
-
Multifunction
Battery Preconditioning
-
Not Available
Bed Extender
-
Not Available
Canopy Fitment
-
Not Available
Diff Lock
-
Not Available
Difflock
-
Not Available
Front Diff Lock
-
Not Available
Intelligent Battery System
-
Not Available
Load Bed Cover
-
Not Available
Load Bed Light
-
Not Available
Load Bed Steps
-
Not Available
Loadbox Depth Mm
-
Not Available
Loadbox Rope Hooks
-
Not Available
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
-
Not Available
One Pedal Driving
-
Not Available
Rear Diff Lock
-
Not Available
Rear Electric Motor
-
Not Available
Regenerative Braking Levels
-
Not Available
Source Model Column
-
exter
Sport Plus Mode
-
Not Available
Sports Bar
-
Not Available
Tailgate Damper
-
Not Available
Tailgate Lock
-
Not Available
Tow Bar Type
-
Not Available
Trim Level
-
flagship
Variant Role
-
Flagship / premium derivative
Vehicle To Grid
-
Not Available
Vehicle To Load
-
Not Available
Spec
Corolla Cross
EXTER
Engine
1.8-litre Petrol Hybrid SFI
Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
Self Charging Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1798 cc
1197 cc
Cylinders
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel System
Petrol Hybrid SFI
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
80.5 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
88.3 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
72 kW @ 5200 rpm
5 kW
Maximum Torque
142 Nm @ 3600 rpm
114 Nm
Combined Power
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
CVT
Not Officially Disclosed
Top Speed
170 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
5 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
114.1 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Spec
Corolla Cross
EXTER
Gearbox
CVT
AMT
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
Front-wheel drive
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Available
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
Not Applicable
5
Transmission Type
CVT
Automated Manual
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
AMT
Drivetrain
FWD
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Available
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
CVT
AMT
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
FWD
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
Not Applicable
5
LSD Available
-
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
-
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
-
Not Applicable
Clutch Type
-
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
-
Yes
Differential Type Front
-
Not Available
Differential Type Rear
-
Not Available
Transfer Case Guard
-
Not Available
Spec
Corolla Cross
EXTER
Claimed Mileage
23.3 km/l
16.9 km/l
City Mileage
18.8 km/l
13.6 km/l
Highway Mileage
27.1 km/l
19.9 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
36 l
37 l
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Available
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
36
37 l
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
-
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
23.3 km/l
16.9 km/l
Spec
Corolla Cross
EXTER
Airbags
Passenger, Driver Knee
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard Rear door
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard 2 Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front + Rear
Not Available
Front Parking Sensors
Standard Front + Rear
Standard
AEB
Standard
Not Available
BA
Standard
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
Not Available
Driver Airbag
Standard
6
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Available
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
6
Seatbelt Pretensioners
ELR, Pretensioner, Force Limiter Front and Rear
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Front + Rear
Not Available
Side Airbags
Not Available
Not Available
Stability Control
Standard
Not Available
Knee Airbag
Standard
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
-
Standard
Hill Descent Control
-
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
-
Not Available
Brake Override System
-
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Not Available
TCS
-
Standard
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
-
6
Driver Passenger Airbags
-
6
Spec
Corolla Cross
EXTER
Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard Lane Trace Assist
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard Lane Trace Assist
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Standard Front + Rear
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Panoramic View Monitor
Not Available
360 Degree Camera
Panoramic View Monitor
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Auto, Rainsensing
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard Front + Rear
Standard
Reverse Camera
Panoramic View Monitor
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Panoramic View Monitor
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
-
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
-
Not Available
Auto Lights
-
Halogen with automatic function
EV Mode
-
Not Available
Park Assist
-
Not Available
Spec
Corolla Cross
EXTER
Seat Material
GR-S Leather
Cloth
Steering Wheel Material
3 Spoke GR-S Leather
Not Applicable
60 40 Split Seat
60:40 - Reclining
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Driver Power & Passenger Manual
Not Applicable
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Driver Power & Passenger Manual
Not Applicable
Seat Trim
GR-S Leather
Cloth
Heated Seats
-
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
-
Not Applicable
Ambient Lighting
-
Not Applicable
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Rear USB Ports
-
Standard
Instrument Cluster Type
-
Digital instrument cluster
Interior Colour Options
-
3
Fabric Seats
-
Cloth
Interior Courtesy Lamps
-
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen EXTER grade before assuming a feature is included.
This Corolla Cross and EXTER comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Corolla Cross 34 vs EXTER 19.
Efficiency index: Corolla Cross 90 vs EXTER 66.
Safety-equipment index: Corolla Cross 92 vs EXTER 84.
Practicality index: Corolla Cross 55 vs EXTER 65.
Ownership-cover index: Corolla Cross not separately scored vs EXTER 65.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Specification Evidence Index
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
Corolla Cross leads by 8 points
Corolla Cross has a modest catalogue-index lead, while EXTER remains close.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Corolla Cross
Performance
34/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
55/100
EXTER
Performance
19/100
Efficiency
66/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
65/100
Ownership
65/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexToyota Corolla Cross
leads the specification evidence index with 66 pts
vs 58 pts for EXTER
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Corolla Cross leads. However, EXTER may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South African models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
Compare
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