A car that fills the space between the Toyota Corolla station wagon and the RAV4. Suitable large family car with good driving characteristics, largely due to the fact that it weighs less than electric cars.
Can hydrogen as a fuel for internal combustion engines be a current driveline for passenger cars? It cannot be ruled out. Toyota's latest prototype is a Corolla Cross with a 1,6 liter 3-cylinder GR turbo engine - and it runs on hydrogen.
HICE vs. FCEV
The engine in Toyota's prototype is a petrol engine that has been converted to run on hydrogen. One of the advantages of HICE – Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine - is that it is based on proven technology. It appeals to drivers who prefer combustion engines to electric motors. Changing engine sound and the option to choose a gear ratio create driving pleasure. In addition, you avoid extra weight and problems associated with high-voltage batteries.
The hydrogen cars you can buy today are of the FCEV type - Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle – which is based on a fuel cell to convert hydrogen gas into electricity. The drive behind the fuel cell is 100% electric with a high-voltage battery. You can get by with a fairly small battery as the fuel cell supplies electricity all the time. The hydrogen car Toyota Mirai is an example of FCEV. The driving experience is like in an electric car.
Hydrogen cars with fuel cell has several advantages compared to the H2 internal combustion engine. First and foremost because they are considered zero-emission vehicles. Internal combustion engines, on the other hand, emit NOx from the combustion process – even those that run on hydrogen. Despite the fact that much of the emissions can be filtered out, the cars cannot be characterized as zero-emission vehicles. Another negative factor is the utilization rate of the fuel. Roughly speaking, cars with a fuel cell can achieve 40-60%, while hydrogen cars with a combustion engine only achieve 20-30%. In comparison, a battery-powered electric car can achieve 70-80% efficient utilization. All cars with an electric motor can recover energy through regenerative braking. Cars with a combustion engine cannot do that.
The engine compartment of the Toyota corolla Cross Hydrogen Prototype (Source: Toyota)
Production?
Toyota has announced that it is too early to commit to just one future powertrain. They are therefore developing several alternatives, including powertrains based on hydrogen. They have participated in Japanese Super Taikyu Endurance Races for 2024 with a Toyota Corolla where the internal combustion engine has been rebuilt to run on liquid hydrogen. The experience from racing has helped to increase range and performance, as well as being able to quickly fill up with fuel. Toyota's latest prototype – a Corolla cross with H2 internal combustion engine, has room for 5 people and luggage. It is one step closer to a HICE model that can be driven on ordinary roads. Toyota claims in a press release that they are now 40% on their way to completing HICE technology with liquid hydrogen - initially for racing.
Toyota Cross Hydrogen Concept interior (Source: Toyota)
Corolla Cross H2 Concept
The engine is based on the 1,6 liter 3-cylinder turbo engine from GR, converted to high-pressure hydrogen direct injection. The hydrogen tanks are taken from the Toyota Mirai. The car has room for 5 people with luggage.
A market for HICE?
Moments that speak against diffusion of HICE technology
Excludes any support schemes for zero-emission vehicles.
The spread of hydrogen vehicles requires a massive development of hydrogen stations corresponding to the development of electric charging stations.
Moments that speak for diffusion of HICE technology
Hydrogen reduces emissions in places with poorly developed electrical networks. According to Toyota's manager, Aiko Toyoda are large parts of the world without sufficient electricity.
Does not require raw materials such as lithium and nickel. H2 is found in water.
Cars with internal combustion engines provide more driving pleasure than electric cars.
Possibilities for rebuilding existing internal combustion engines.
Toyota Corolla GR Liquid Hydrogen Racing Car (Source: Toyota)
A breakthrough for hydrogen as a fuel in passenger cars is not only dependent on it being access on hydrogen. It should also be cheap og sustainability. Today, hydrogen can be produced through the electrolysis of water - a process that requires electricity. From time to time there are speculations that Toyota is researching water as fuel. Perhaps the cars of the future will be able to produce hydrogen themselves "on the fly"? The living will see!
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Toyota CHRToyota corolla cross2025 Toyota Urban Cruiser
A car that fills the space between the Toyota Corolla station wagon and the RAV4. Suitable large family car with good driving characteristics, largely due to the fact that it weighs less than electric cars.
So far this year, the list of the 20 best-selling car models is dominated by electric models. The exception is Toyota's hybrid models with the Corolla in the lead. The range of cars with internal combustion engines disappears as a result of being penalized with taxes. Then you get a smaller car for the money. In terms of price, the Corolla Cross therefore competes with electric cars in the class above, such as the Volkswagen ID.4 GTX. We will return to that later.
The Corolla Cross is a smaller version of the Toyota RAV4. It is equipped with three engines – one 2,0 liter 152 hp petrol engine and two electric motors. The one electric motor is part of the hybrid system and is integrated into the gearbox. The other sits on the rear axle to operate the four-wheel drive system e-Four. Total power for all engines is more than enough. 197 hp means that you can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in between 7 and 8 seconds.
Compared to the RAV4, the Corolla Cross has a cleaner design where the lines flow more harmoniously. Nevertheless, our car undoubtedly comes across as a real SUV – not just a high-built Corolla. Lined up next to each other, you can clearly see the differences. Compared to the Corolla Touring Sports (station wagon), you can see that the SUV has a shorter wheelbase and shorter length. It also has a smaller boot than the station wagon. Nevertheless, the Cross gives the impression of being a larger and more solidly built car.
Toyota Corolla Cross and Touring Sports
Toyota corolla cross
I don't know if the solid impression is real - that the Corolla Cross really is more solidly built than the standard Corolla. The ground clearance is at least 2,5 cm higher, and the angular front, the thick A-pillars and the large mirrors give a real SUV feel. With the electronically controlled 4-wheel drive, I am sure that you can get safely up the last hill in the winter before the plow has driven off.
Big enough as a family car?
For some, cars can never be big enough. I think you get a lot of space within compact dimensions, and that the car looks bigger than it actually is. With a total length of 4,45 metres, the car belongs to the C segment (the "Golf class"). The biggest limitation for most people will probably be the size of the luggage compartment. It holds 394 liters up to the luggage hider. Here you can also make use of the space in the height by, for example, transporting suitcases standing up. The space conditions in the compartment between the rows of seats can work well for a normal family of 4-5 people. It is also possible to mount a roof rack and trailer, although the maximum trailer weight is only 750 kg – just enough for a villa trailer.
The church square in Kongsberg
Kongsberg
Some of the photos were taken in Kongsberg. We drove there to go "pole hunting". There are walking routes that take us around on paths and roads we would hardly have found on our own. And after the trip, we are left with good impressions of the city, which turns 400 this year. My wife's ancestors worked in the silver mines and lived in the city. Her grandmother lived here as a girl and had to drive the cows from the courtyard inside the town across the busy square to a field outside - under the supervision and laughter of the town's oldest men.
Inside the car
It is easy to find your way in the Toyota. Most of it seems identical to the standard Corolla. Compared to the electric cars I've driven recently, the dash in the Corolla feels dated. Today's cars have freestanding flat screens, not conventional, padded instrument clusters. I realize it's more about Design than functionality. Likewise the mechanical "PRND" gear lever which other car manufacturers have now replaced with other solutions.
Buttons and presentation are outdated but work allright
I would characterize the interior of the Corolla as more "trusty" than old-fashioned. The flimsy seat adjustment levers seem cheap. The adjustment is not stepless, but it has electric lumbar support and the chairs are comfortable with good lateral support. The sound level is low. You can practically not hear the engine. But despite the low noise level, we had to raise our voices a lot to talk to each other. The sound from the radio also disappeared in poor acoustics. Acoustics and sound image are characteristics that distinguish premium cars from ordinary cars, - and the Corolla is not a premium car.
On the road
I mentioned at the outset that the Toyota Corolla Cross is sold at the same price as the Volkswagen ID.4 GTX and can therefore be considered competitors. One area in which the Corolla Cross can assert itself is driving pleasure on country roads. Battery cars such as the ID.4 (and more) tend to weigh 500 kg more than the Corolla Cross. That - and built-in economy programs that will increase the range - can help to cut the torque in the engine(s) at unfavorable times. The Corolla Cross is more entertaining to drive on country roads. You notice it in normal roundabouts. Let off the gas, put the car into the turn and accelerate out - then you feel the fine interaction between car and driver - just as driving should be.
If you want to feel all the 197 horsepower, you need to switch to Sport driving mode, although it is not necessary for normal driving. Even in Normal mode, the hybrid drivetrain responds quickly and delivers good traction up the Lierbakken and elsewhere. I have previously complained that the first cars with Toyota's hybrid drive system could increase the revs of the engine for no reason, as if the drive system was not connected to the wheels. This is no longer a problem – something I have also found in the standard Corolla.
Toyota Corolla Cross in front of Kongsberg church
consumption
Our consumption on the trip to Kongsberg ended up at 0,63 litres/10km. Stated consumption for combined driving is 0,51 - 0,56 litres/10km. Our trip took place on a hot summer day with an inside temperature of 22 degrees, on good roads between 80 and 100 km/h and partly on cruise control without focusing on consumption. When we previously tested the larger Toyota RAV4, we measured a consumption of just 0,57 litres/10km over a short stretch of motorway. I'm sure that the Corolla Cross can also get down to the same level.
Conclusion
If you live in a city and have to park on the street, an electric car can present practical problems. The Corolla Cross is well suited in an urban environment. It is large enough to be a family car, yet easy to maneuver and park. I would also point out that it is more fun to drive than many popular electric family cars, mainly due to its lighter weight. It is also just as fast from a standstill as electric cars.
An annoying feature of the car is the poor acoustics in the cabin, which makes it difficult to chat while driving. Let me also mention that according to the license plate, the permitted trailer weight is only 750 kg for both braked and unbraked trailers. That's low for a 4-wheel drive with a 2-liter engine.
Toyota Corolla Cross. Trunk with a small compartment underneath for tire repair, warning triangle and the like.
Toyota Corolla Cross. Part leather seats
Facts Toyota Corolla Cross
Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 446 x 182,5 x 162 cm
Wheelbase: 264 cm
Ground clearance: 16 cm
Net weight: 1509 kg (without driver)
Payload: 431 kg
Number of seats: 5
Max trailer weight w/brakes: 750 kg
– without brakes: 750 kg
Roof load: 75 kg (source: Thule)
Drivetrain
Engine 1: 2,0 4-cylinder petrol engine, front mounted. A20A-FXS. 152 hp, torque 190 Nm between 4400-5200 revs.
Engine 2: front electric motor integrated with gearbox, 113 hp.
Motor 3: electric motor, rear, 41 hp.
Total power: 197 hp
Transmission: e-CVT AWD-i (continuously variable automatic)
Four-wheel drive system: e-Four. Main features on the front wheels and rear wheels which are connected electronically from the rear-mounted electric motor.
Performances
Top speed: 180 km/h
0-100: 7,46 – 7,74 seconds
Battery pack
Type: Li-ion
Location: Under the back seat
Total capacity: 0,9 kWh
