Toyota Motor Philippines recently updated the Corolla Cross nameplate and now offers it exclusively with a hybrid system. It meant that the model not only offered a more modern look but also now sports a powertrain unit that would appeal to the younger generation.

For starters, the refreshed Toyota Corolla Cross now sports a new mesh-like grille with hexagonal outlines. Below it is a vent with large horizontal slats and a robust-looking chin. Rounding up its front-end appointments are sleek headlamps with daytime running lamps (DRL), sequential turn signals, and LED fog lamps. Its hind gets a conspicuous roof-mounted spoiler, a fin-type antenna, LED taillamps with line guide, and LED rear fog lamps.

The cabin of the new Toyota Corolla Cross gets leather seats with dark brown accents, a multi-functional steering wheel wrapped in leather, and a leather-wrapped gear shifter. It also boasts a seven-inch thin-film transistor multi-information display and a large floating 10-inch infotainment screen.

Power for the Toyota Corolla Cross comes from a 1.8-liter gasoline engine paired with an electric motor. The mill is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and delivers some 120 horsepower (hp) with 142 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque.

Toyota has priced the new Corolla Cross from P1.498 million to P1.917 million.

Nissan Kicks e-Power

A good alternative to the Toyota Corolla Cross is the Nissan Kicks e-Power. The crossover offers its would-be owners a new-energy vehicle that comes in a relatively appealing package.

Its front is slapped with the brand’s V-Motion grille flanked by full LED headlamps with auto on-and-off, auto hazard light, and follow-me-home functions. It also gets LED DRLs and LED front fog lights. The rear end of the crossover features a discreet spoiler with an integrated third brake lamp, signature-type LED taillamps, and a chunky bumper.

Those entering the Nissan Kicks e-Power will be welcomed by a leather steering wheel, a dashboard swathed in synthetic leather materials, and seats with the marque’s zero gravity technology. It also has an eight-inch advanced touchscreen display audio unit.

Propelling the Nissan Kicks e-Power is an electric motor. Nevertheless, it is still equipped with a 1.2-liter internal combustion engine, which works to charge the battery. The electric power unit is paired with an automatic single-speed gear reduction transmission system and generates as much as 134 horses with 280 Nm of pulling power.

The Nissan Kicks e-Power is priced from P1.239 million to P1.539 million.

GWM Haval H6 HEV

The Haval H6 HEV is a hybrid electric vehicle that hails from the Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motors.

Its fore wears an intricate latticework — dubbed the Star Matrix front grille — with sleek-looking intelligent headlamps. It gives the crossover a modern appeal while still avoiding a loud and flashy appearance. The rear end also gets decent lighting but is also fitted with an electric tailgate with a kick sensor thereby making loading cargo at the boot a more convenient experience.

Inside, the GWM Haval H6 HEV offers a leather steering wheel, leather seats, and a dual-zone automatic air conditioning system. It also packs a 10.25-inch colored instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Under its hood is a 1.5-liter hybrid system married to a dedicated hybrid transmission. The unit dishes out some 240 hp with 530 Nm of torque.

The GWM Haval H6 HEV is priced from P1.788 million to P1.908 million.

Photos from Jirehl Kent Flores, Ruben Manahan IV, and Roy Robles

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