This … The ground clearance is only around 5 - 6 inches I wouldn’t be trying to crawl over any kind of trails like that without at least 8 inches of ground clearance. I really wonder how this would perform in snow or sand which is primarily what I’m interested in for this vehicle. It also comes with a 19 inch tires and I wonder if it would perform a little better if it had an off roading tire.
Ground clearance would make a difference along with good off-road tires. Would fitting performance tires on Corolla sedan vs a Civic with stock tires racing on a track? Hell yeah. 19 tires for this small SUV also would feel more uncomfortable on bad roads.
An economy crossover SUV is definitely not a first choice for someone wanting to off-road. However, mad respect for testing this little SUV to its limits.
What a wonderful vehicle to buy, checks all my boxes. 45 MPG, can tow 1500 pounds, can do a little off roading , handles snow pretty well, has 8 inch height above the ground. Love the safety features like emergency automatic stopping my minivan doesn't have. It's also made in Alabama . I use my 2018 Kia Sedona to tow my 25 foot Panga boat, I roll my lawn tractor into the back of the van etc., but it burns a ton of gas driving in stop and go traffic areas. I'll keep that van and purchase this Toyota for everyday use. Now I'll have 2 great vehicles that'll do all kinds of things well, I can go on long drives with the Toyota and not burn a lot of gas, I can go down dirt roads with some confidence I won't get stuck in a rut in the road , I can tow a 16 foot aluminum boat 200 miles and not burn a ton of fuel, I'll have a vehicle that I can drive to a hospital during a snowstorm and with the Minivan I can tow big boats, haul enormous amounts of cargo and transport up to 8 people. Who needs a pickup truck ? Win Win!
I love the vehicle. Not for 4x4 trailheads but I think if might be fine for difficult 2WD trailheads. I learned a lot from your skills as a driver! Thank you!
Ryan you are consistently the best reviewer for not only testing off-road capability but showing the ease of the full recovery process like this and the new raptor for when things go south!
You are an amazing reviewer and driver. You understand how these AWD systems work, and ways we can manipulate the AWD system to get it to do what we would like to do as much as the computers allows. Great recovery. Everyone needs to see this. Keep on testing the limits!
Excellent review of the off road all wheel drive capability. You do a very detail on 'off road' test in every videos and I love it. You are about the one who reviews cars and trucks' all wheel drive/4WD in full details, great job. Thanks for sharing videos with all of us out here.
"TFL Off-Road" channel does a very analytical test of each low-traction situation using variously-placed rollers under the wheels, along with an off-road course.
And of course they have to put on all these plastic appendages to make it look rugged, and make all of the ads look outdoorsy. In reality, it can't handle much worse than a gravel parking lot
@@ogalief Which is mostly where these types of vehicles are driven...the worse they may see is snow and ice on the highway and possibly side streets in town. That's all I'd use a crossover for anyways. Except I wouldn't pay the kind of money dealers are asking for this junk. For that kind of money I'd rather have an old Jeep Cherokee XJ that has been properly restored.
I really appreciate that you showed all the effort but really its not your fault. In the beginning we didn't know that Rav4 and corolla cross as well as yaris cross are only 4x4 in the label behind. The truth is that the motors in the back wheels are too weak in power in order to push the car and if you watch your video you will notice it . Its not the rocks or the place . If you had an 1.5 Ford Bronco sport or a Subaru you could notice the diference. Even a Huyndai Tuscon 1.6 would do better because it splits the power front and back equally. Warm Greetings from a subscriber and fan from Greece .
I was thinking FWD GAS engine doesn't kick in till over 40-45 MPH. So I dont know how to get power to front wheel for gas motor to help? I think RWD is for more power and front electric motor is main pulling motor.
Thank you for showing us all a new use for traction boards. Before today, I was only aware of their use as a fashion accessory on urban dwelling overlanding vehicles.
I'm Glad it was just Scratches and A/C Condenser TY for showing us the "Mistakes" Along with the "Victories" It Actually Strengthens your Credibility Knowing you don't Hide The bad Stuff
Great to show the whole process! I also wonder if these types of CUV AWD systems are really meant for inclement weather. They offer better control on wet pavement/rain and snow vs. going off road.
Great and practical question… while it may be more interesting to watch a video about off road-guarantee 97 percent of people who buy these vehicles need them for conditions on road and main videos should be how they function in wet weather and snow.
While it must have been frustrating for you, I’m glad you did this to demonstrate the limits of a CUV. If I owned this vehicle and have to drive off pavement quite a bit, I would invest in some All-Terrain tires. Those Michelin Primacy scream MPG and pavement.
Yep. Can't blame all of the short comings on the vehicle. Most of his issues are tire related. Does not take a rocket scientist to understand this. The Cross is not a Trophy Truck after all.
This is a great demonstration of why you need proper tires. Street tires like the ones on this car would have struggled with most vehicles. Same would go for winter conditions
I think the Subaru is a much better choice...they sometimes get a bad reputation due to some engine issues a few years back, and the CVT but I think Subaru has corrected a lot of that, and their Wilderness line has got me interested, for 99% of what I do a Subaru Forester or Outback Wilderness would work just fine.
Hell yeah. My favorite chaos review was Ryan's trip into deep, deep back country snow with the ZR2 Bison. Thought it was going to turn into a survival episode. 😂
Thanks for this. I am looking at one of these. I dont go seriously off-roading, but this tells me it can do the basic off-road that I need. I need a nice toll road commuter that can go into the country once in a while.
I think most people buying these aren't expecting a ton of off-road prowess, but finding the limits is how you know how to stay within them. A set of tires would make a huge difference. Falken makes a Wildpeak A/T Trail in the stock size (for the S and SE with the 17's). Better traction might have allowed slower speed over obstacles...less damage underneath...maybe. Perhaps some underbody protection, a small lift, and A/T tires might make a Corolla Cross Adventure Hybrid to give Toyota something to sell against the Crosstrek.
you need the tires, and higher lift. Because they offroad hybrid in ukraine and russia, they do well. This is not high enought because hybrid are meant to save fuel. Also they have low resistant tires for fuel saving. Upgrade to Rav4 Edge, or called Adventure.
Thank God.. It was definitely a Butt Puckering moment, Ryan.. I was already worried for you and how much it would cost to repair it.. Glad it was just the A/C condenser.
What’s good man! I kinda found this from the rav4 video! I appreciate the recovery efforts… because I feel like this this is a quite real situation. I always end up sweaty and frustrated, but out of the situation. Sweet use of tools to get out of the situation, thankfully it was familiar to ya!
Dude, I was gonna buy one just like this, thinking of it as a 4WD vehicle with off-road capabilities, which you just showed and proved does not have. Totally out of my list! Thanks for showing the things dealers would never tell you.
Reminds me of the time I took my 1989 Cavalier Z24 on a dirt road and put a hole in the oil pan. Next day I tried to patch it with JB weld, it didn't work lol
All hybrid have low resistant tires, swap out the tires and maybe there will be difference. There is offoading videos of Hybrid Rav4 in ukraine, and it did very well for hybrid. The tires dont grip because they are meant for pavement and his meant to save fuel and does not have clearance. It needs lift kit and some terrain tires, and i am sure it will do well. But for now it is meant to save fuel, and save money. That is what hybrids do.
Im not surprised, this really isnt something that screams "offroad me" and I doubt many owners will be trying anything more intense than a gravel road. The CX-30 review where he got it stuck didn't stop me from buying one.
I am watching this because it popped up on my feed, we just bought this vehicle and love it. I live in southern California and have no plans for off road traveling, snow, ice, rocks, etc. Using the bridges, etc. reminds me of the rear wheel drive Volvo I had in 1988 in New York State. I was constantly getting stuck in snow drifts, getting uphill during a snowstorm was difficult and after using my plywood boards and kitty litter I would fishtail all the way home. I think the 18 year old Subaru Outback I just traded in would do better under your conditions.
Appreciate your insight, its really meant for very light duty off roading, nothing crazy. I see that using all season tires would help over the hard stock pavement tires on this vehicle. Do the bigger 18 inch wheels on the xse make a driving difference than the SE 17 inch wheels for rough roads? I'm not sure bigger aluminum wheels are better especially with respect to gravel, dirt, and mud as well as the maintenance (rock chips in rotors, electrical components etc). I would think 16 inch wheels would be better for this. Lastly, did you notice the stop start function at all, or is it electric torque with the pedal when AWD is utilized from a stop? It doesn't clear the memory when you push back on the pedal does it from a stop? It would be nice to have a function to turn this off sometimes so the computer realizes to keep AWD. I'm not that familiar with the Pruis 5th generation platform and its AWD computer.
Ryan, This reminds me of the time that Ponderosa Pine threw itself in front of your new 4Runner and then tried to lay the blame on your doorstep. I am sure I speak for all 319,000 loyal subscribers when I say - the rock was clearly at fault!! 😉😂
AWD and 4WD are two different approach of the "all wheel" system. One is for "on-roading" in extrem condition (Rain, Ice, Snow, Gravels, Sand ...) and the other for real "off-roading" meaning going anywhere, further, deeper and hoping comeback. Some brands are very good in both like Subaru and even Audi with the Quattro system. This "thing" is more a comfy-highway-compact-vus something hahah Toyota should have backed up its old Tercel 4wd system. Great test and well done for the driving of an AWD in these conditions !
THIS is exactly why I added some lift to my Rav4 Woodland. I won't be rock crawling, but having 9.6" helps me breathe a little easier on the stuff I will be doing. Happy to see things turned out happier than initially suspected!
@@rajendramodusu5980 yes. I added 1.5" of ground clearance. I swapped the stock springs out to something taller and stiffer. Eibach springs on the front that are 170#. Northwoods Performance Stage 3 Rear Springs on the back that are 250#. For reference my stock springs are 154front and 212 rear
@@jmichael6931 does not it void warranty I got lifetime PTrain warranty to know if it voids warranty One more quick question Can xle be updated to 360 camera and foldable auto mirror
@@rajendramodusu5980 the warranty is not a "you have it or you do not" situation with modification. If something happens with my suspension and it's determined that my aftermarket springs caused it then they will not warranty it. If my infotainment screen fails then they will still warranty that though, because the springs play no role. Foldable mirrors can be added, but I am not familiar with that process. I do not think 360 camera can be added.
@@jmichael6931 ok thanks for tge reply I d k y toyota is so bkward in design and materials and tech Kia hyundai and even honda r way ahead Toyota body is way way lighter then rav4 from 2011 to 15 to 18 and even higlander( engineers from German autoshop proved it) Toyota using cheap plastic on grill and cheap plastic mix material dashboard and even back camera and info screen resolution I did research he is using cheap Chinese lens this y cheap resolution and no much clarity I saw kia hyundai even honda far far far superior quality of everything I m just upset Toyota increased tge price so much
I like how you were putting on the seatbelt every time you got back in the car until you started getting hot, sweaty, and tired of trying to climb up the rocks
Wait, did I just watch 9 minutes (of a 19 minute video) of Ryan rescuing his tester from a rocky incline using a combination of ramps, traction pads and rocks, then declare, "this vehicle did a remarkable job, excellent." I don't think I know what words mean anymore.
Exactly! You can clearly see that it wouldn’t transfer enough power to get it out so obviously it wasn’t a traction issue like he kept saying. I think he was just understandably nervous about the oil pan and not really thinking about what he was saying.
Nice, seems pretty capable on fair trails but I guess occasional towing is more common among most drivers...? I have'nt yet seem a video with the Corolla cross pull a loaded boat trailer say 700-1000kg up a slippery boat ramp - any video suggestions or other input? Will the rear wheels help sufficiently if the front wheels loose grip?
Ive been in off road with 2013 Corolla. The bumper was to low some spots and one big rock came up thru floor pan at backseat foot rest Id be windows down AC off and seatbelt off
I think you’ve just burned 5k calories making this video. 😂 But then again, this video makes me appreciate my Tacoma TRD off-road with craw control more than ever. Also tells me not to take my wife’s Honda HRV AWD to places like this.
I have an old SX4. It's great in deep snow and 4 wheel lock allowed me to go up a steep grassy hill. Of course, I wouldn't take it over boulders. It's not like I have disposable vehicles...
For anyone watching this thinking it's a bit of a joke of an "off road vehicle", keep in mind, this isn't an off road vehicle. It's just a regular crossover with the added benefit of AWD (for slippery conditions) and hybrid technology (for fuel economy). Most people who buy crossover vehicles would never take their vehicles in an environment like this, including most of the Cherokee Trailhawks I see on the roads (which would likely make quick work of this course since it's better designed for it).
So the AWD is for driving in snow with snow tires then, not for offroading. That's okay, my Forrester couldn't offroad with the stock tires either. He did answer the stupid question I had about what those red and white plastic things are that people hang on the outside of their trucks -- they are traction boards.
I'm considering an AWD Toyota Cross just to have a little help with the sand at the beach. After seeing how this AWD system works I can picture this car bottoming itself out one wheel at a time. I'm thinking 4x4 is probably the way to go as it has been for ages.
A big part of the AWD success will have to do with the tires. A/T vs all season will be night & day, especially if the tires have big ridges for extra grip.
Haha, AC condenser is dripping :D But overall, it is awesome to see how you were able to recover that while you got stuck. Most of the cases why we get stuck or not, sits between seat and the wheel!
Not that I do rock climbing but I noticed paddle shifters. To limit the speed of spinning tires are help with traction control, maybe next time put it in manual mode and 1st gear.
Great review especially for this honest off-road test. I am so jealous that the US verison are AWD for standard, as we only has the FWD version in China.
