2028 Toyota Corolla Cross to grow in size.

This new render shows what the next generation of the Toyota Corolla Cross for 2028 could look like. Unfortunately, the illustration above still appears very close to the current model, missing an opportunity to truly stand out in an increasingly competitive segment. While we do have a hint of what the next Corolla could look like, the Corolla Cross remains a mystery.

However, we know it will use Toyota‘s new 1.5 Liter engine. Probably with a standard hybrid setup in the US. It also seems the next generation will grow in size. Probably in an effort to be more appealing to North American buyers.

The current Corolla Cross received a few revisions for the 2026 model year, but none significantly improved its overall design appeal. Back in 2020, the Corolla Cross was meant to reinvigorate Toyota’s compact SUV lineup in the U.S., especially after the underwhelming performance of the Toyota C-HR. That model peaked at 49,600 units in 2018 before dropping to around 12,000 just four years later.

The more conservative Corolla Cross became Toyota’s safer answer for North America, while a second-generation C-HR was developed for Europe. In terms of sales, the Corolla Cross has been a success, reaching about 93,000 units in the U.S. in 2024. However, it continues to trail the Honda HR-V, which sold over 151,000 units despite not even offering a hybrid option.

It took Toyota several years to acknowledge what many observers noticed immediately: the Corolla Cross design feels bland and lacks personality. In a segment where styling plays a huge role, that’s a serious drawback. Buyers today expect compact SUVs to offer not just practicality, but also visual appeal and character.

Now, Toyota appears to be considering a more exciting direction, possibly with distinct designs tailored for different markets. For 2026, the European version already features a noticeably different front end, hinting at this strategy. This approach mirrors what Honda has done with the HR-V, offering completely different designs between Europe and North America.

The Corolla Cross actually faces stronger challenges in Europe than in the U.S., making design differentiation even more important. A bolder, more expressive next-generation model could help strengthen its global position. With competitors raising the bar in both design and technology, Toyota has little choice but to respond.

It really shouldn’t be that difficult to improve on the current model—but whether Toyota will fully commit to a more daring design remains to be seen.