This 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross L AWD was the debut model year for Toyota's popular subcompact crossover, sitting right between the smaller hatchback line and the larger RAV4. It takes the bulletproof reliability and fuel efficiency of the standard Corolla sedan and packages it into a higher-riding, highly practical SUV.The Mechanical Sweet Spot: Engine & AWDUnder the hood sits a non-turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder Dynamic Force engine making a solid 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a Direct Shift CVT that utilizes a physical first gear for responsive launches off the line before transitioning smoothly to standard CVT pulleys.Suspension & Traction Bonus: Choosing the AWD model does more than just give you Toyota's Dynamic Torque Control system (which can route up to 50% of engine power to the rear wheels when slipping occurs). It also replaces the front-wheel-drive model's basic rear torsion beam with a much more sophisticated Fully Independent Multi-Link rear suspension, delivering a noticeably smoother ride over rough roads and potholes.Despite having standard All-Wheel Drive and a tall 8.1 inches of ground clearance, it remains a frugal fuel-sipper, returning roughly 8.1 L/100 km in the city and 7.4 L/100 km on the highway (approx. 30 MPG combined).Canadian "L" Base Trim FeaturesWhile the "L" is the gateway trim, Toyota equips it generously out of the box, especially for northern climates:Winter Essentials: In the Canadian market, the base L AWD trim includes standard multi-level heated front seats and heated power-adjustable side mirrors.Dashboard Tech: Anchored by a 7-inch touchscreen display with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a 6-speaker sound system, and a 4.2-inch driver info display in the gauge cluster.Cabin Comfort: Features durable cloth seating, manual air conditioning with dedicated rear-seat air vents (a huge plus for rear passengers in this segment), and LED headlights.Footprint: Rides on 17-inch steel wheels with full covers.Practicality & Safety LeadershipThe Corolla Cross features a boxier roofline than many stylish competitors, meaning rear passengers get generous headroom. Cargo space behind the second row sits at a deep 713 liters (25.2 cu. ft.) on AWD models, which easily expands via the 60/40 split-folding rear bench to haul bulkier cargo.Safety is comprehensive, as every 2022 Corolla Cross includes the Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 suite as standard equipment:Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian and Bicycle DetectionFull-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (Adaptive Cruise)Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Lane Tracing AssistAutomatic High Beams