When you think “Toyota Corolla Cross,” you probably picture a sensible, efficient, and perfectly capable urban runabout. It’s the kind of crossover you recommend to a friend who needs reliable, no-fuss transportation. This is not that vehicle.
Toyota has rolled into the 2025 SEMA Show with a machine designed to explore the adventurous side of its lineup. This is the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nasu Edition, a bespoke concept that completely reimagines the compact crossover as a bold, mountain-ready machine.
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The Spirit of “To Achieve”
This concept isn’t just a random assortment of off-road parts; it has a deep-seated inspiration. The project is named for Japan’s scenic Mt. Nasu, a destination renowned for hiking, hot springs, and outdoor adventure. The build’s entire purpose is to blend rugged off-road capability with distinctive styling and lifestyle accessories, elevating the Corolla Cross far beyond its city-slicker roots.
The project was brought to life by Toyota’s own Service Parts and Accessories Development (SPAD) team, the group dedicated to creating accessories that enhance both function and style. According to Steve Park, senior product planner for Toyota and Lexus Vehicle Accessories, the name has a powerful double meaning.
“While the inspiration for this build is the adventurous spirit of Mt. Nasu in Japan, ‘nasu’ as a verb in Japanese also means ‘to achieve,'” Park said. “We hope this build inspires others to build, to experience, and to achieve”.
That achievement was a monumental task for the SPAD team, who had to manage this special edition build while simultaneously developing hundreds of other accessory programs. The project demanded extensive collaboration, utilizing CAD design, 3D printing, CNC machining, and assembly across multiple locations to create the final, unified vehicle.
The Hardware: Building a Better Beast
So, what makes it “mountain-ready”? The SPAD team didn’t mess with a good thing under the hood. The Nasu Edition retains the efficient hybrid powertrain of the 2026 Corolla Cross. This includes a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine that works with three electric motors. The system produces a combined output of 196 horsepower , which is routed through an all-wheel driveline.
The serious upgrades are found where the rubber meets the—well, not just the road anymore. The power is put to the ground via custom Toyota truck wheels wrapped in aggressive Toyo Open Country A/T III all-terrain tires. Giving the concept its “adventure-ready stance” and added clearance is a custom-made suspension lift.
Visually, the Nasu Edition is pure SEMA. It sports a one-off body kit and a modified hood scoop, giving it a decidedly aggressive and rugged appearance. And that color? It’s a custom wrap in a “striking purple hue,” which is another clever nod to the name: in Japanese, ‘nasu’ can also mean “eggplant”.
For true off-pavement duty, the concept is fitted with overlanding essentials like rock sliders , a cargo basket , and a modified, articulating roof rack. Practicality is enhanced with modified Toyota lightbars and fog lamps to illuminate the path ahead.
An Interior Built for the Excursion
The adventurous persona carries right into the cabin and cargo area. For extended trips, the rear has been outfitted with a custom drawer system and a refrigerator mounted on a sliding tray. The team also added stylish and practical lighting, including custom illuminated door sills, puddle lamps, and cargo sills to light up the interior and the campsite.
As a final touch, the build is capped off with a custom downhill mountain bike secured to the roof rack. This isn’t just any bike; it’s an homage to the ride of downhill prodigy and mountain bike Junior World Champion, Asa Vermette, directly connecting the Nasu Edition to the outdoor ethos.
Proving a Point
For Toyota, the Nasu Edition is a rolling statement of purpose. “This concept demonstrates that possibility isn’t limited to our trucks and body-on-frame SUVs—it extends across our lineup,” said Mike Tripp, group vice president of Toyota Marketing. “At Toyota, we believe in building vehicles that empower our customers to do more, explore more, and achieve more, and the Nasu Edition is a bold example of that philosophy”.
The 2026 Corolla Cross Hybrid Nasu Edition is on display at the 2025 SEMA Show from November 4-7 in the Toyota booth (Central Hall, Booth 22200). It’s one of more than two dozen Toyota concepts featured under this year’s “Powered by Possibility” theme, which showcases innovation across all powertrains, from gasoline (ICE) and hybrid (HEV) to fuel cell (FCEV).
Of course, this is SEMA. Toyota notes that this is a special project prototype. The vehicle was modified with parts not available from Toyota , which may void the vehicle’s warranty, could negatively impact performance and safety , and may not be street legal. But as a demonstration of what’s possible? It’s a definite “achieve.”
