Volkswagen T‑Cross refreshed and Toyota Corolla Cross to grow in Japan's compact SUV market

Volkswagen has launched a facelift for its T‑Cross compact SUV in Japan, keeping the 4.14 m length and 1.0 L turbo engine while adding interior material upgrades, a new infotainment system and price reductions for the R‑Line trim. The model continues to rank among the top‑selling imported SUVs, with 2025‑26 registrations projected at 7,415 units.

Toyota’s next‑generation Corolla Cross is set for a major redesign, enlarging the body to approach the size of the RAV4, adding a new 1.5 L engine, hybrid and plug‑in options, and a GR‑Sport version. The redesign aims to improve rear‑legroom and cargo capacity while retaining a starting price in the ¥2 million range, with a modest price increase of about ¥100,000 across grades.