The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is the brand’s latest attempt to achieve the brand’s carbon neutral goal. This vehicle is sporty, feature-focused, and stylish, making it the logical choice for new and experienced commuting drivers alike.
Considering a typical electric vehicle’s high price point, Toyota will make budget buyers smile with this hybrid MSRP under $30,000. Packed with fun technologies and eye-catching details, it represents the best of the best Corolla Cross lineup. Energetic and spry, this small SUV is fun to drive with an instant torque that helps you race to your destination.
To learn about the new Corolla Cross Hybrid, its remarkable performance, tech features and trim level amenities, keep scrolling!
Performance & Handling
Good performance is a must for commuting drivers, and Toyota does not disappoint. Generating a combined 196 horsepower, it gets 139 lb-ft of torque from its electric motors and 152 lb-ft from its gas powertrain.
This affordable hybrid is all-wheel drive, but primarily uses front-wheel drive with the help of an electric motor for the back wheels when needed. So you get the ease of FWD while getting the all-weather help of AWD.
Even though the goal of this vehicle is to be sporty, it achieves a new level of handling comfort. A sport-tuned suspension adds to the zippy handling without taking away from the comfortable ride. This aspect is clearly aimed at commuters in major metro areas like our own Phoenix, AZ. A Kelley Blue Book critic called this vehicle “confidently nimble around town and in parking lots.”
Sport mode is the ticket for zipping to your destination on the highway, normal is great for an all-around driving experience, and eco mode gives you the best fuel economy possible.
Fuel Efficiency & Ownership Costs
If your aim is to save money, the Corolla Cross Hybrid is definitely a good choice. Drivers can expect a combined fuel economy of 42 miles per gallon. That breaks down into 45 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.
Furthermore, as a Toyota hybrid, the Corolla Cross comes with money management in mind. For example, the EV drive mode is automatically activated when driving under 25 miles per hour, saving you money when driving around town. However this vehicle is not a plug-in hybrid, eliminating the need for a charging station.
Plus, the Corolla Cross Hybrid is covered by up to 10 years or 150,000 miles for the hybrid battery and 8 years or 100,000 miles for certain hybrid components.
Interior
The interior is conservative and comfortable. This hybrid SUV seats five people and has ample headroom in the backseat, even for tall passengers. The trunk storage is impressive for an SUV this size. Measuring 21.5 cubic feet, it is larger in width in comparison to the Subaru Outback. Seats down, the cargo hold grows to 70 cubic feet.
The higher grade levels in this vehicle have luxury stitching patterns, Softex seats, and red accents to reflect a sporty and modern design. A beautiful moonroof package is available for higher trim levels as well.
Dash Technology
The cockpit is a comfortable perch for a single family or commuter driver, with two cupholders, a center console storage, and easy to use buttons on the steering wheel for cluster gauge control. Automotive journalists note the vehicle’s physical buttons for climate control in the infotainment system.
An 8-inch touch screen is standard for all trim levels. Toyota’s dashboard system works effortlessly with Android Auto and Apple Carplay, and has both wireless and wired options.
Trim Levels
Toyota has the driver’s needs in mind. The Corolla Cross Hybrid has three grades to choose from, and inexpensive convenience packages let you add more of what you want.
Corolla Cross Hybrid S comes equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, and smart key access. If you want a bit more, the SE grade comes with privacy glass, roof rails, and paddle shifters. Many drivers will love the SE trim level because it has customizable convenience packages without the price of the highest grade.
XSE models have the best-equipped exterior and sportiest interior. For looks and more capability, this sporty SUV comes with premium LED headlamps, taillamps, fog lamps, and larger alloy wheels. Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE cabins come with Toyota Softex trim seats, heated front seats, and a power driver’s seat with power-adjust lumbar support.
Exterior
Compared to the Corolla Cross gasoline model, the Cross Hybrid model eliminated black trim above the grill, giving the car a more distinct style. Subtle body lines give the car a modern and curvy look that sets it further apart from rivals such as the Jeep Compass or Subaru Outback.
Additionally, new two-tone colors are available for this affordable SUV. An inexpensive option for the SE and XSE trim levels, two-tone paint colors include silver and black, red and black, yellow and black, and blue and black.
Safety & Drivers Assistance
Toyota is known for brand reliability and high safety ratings. The Toyota Corolla Cross earned a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick. Lane departure warnings, lane keeping, an emergency autobrake, and a related forward collision warning are just some of the driver aids that are standard.
The IIHS gave superior ratings to the forward collision autobrake and pedestrian autobrake. The SUV demonstrated it could avoid a collision at the 12-mile and 25-mile benchmarks.
According to the IIHS, the best headlights are the inexpensive, available curve-adaptive headlights on the XSE. High beam assist is standard across the trim levels.
Perfect Commuter & Family Car
Commuters and parents have much to like when it comes to this SUV. This hybrid SUV has the power and handling for everyday driving to work or school. Plus, it starts at an affordable price.
The cabin has ample space for the small SUV class. This two-row vehicle is a good fit for a young adult going off to college or a small family with a car seat. The SUV earned a rare Good-Plus rating for LATCH attachments for car seats.
Like all new Toyotas, the Cross Hybrid provides great tools for commuting. These include Lane Tracing, Lane Centering, and Adaptive Cruise Control. The Toyota hybrid SUV can stay safe and centered when driving on the freeway, as well as detecting the speed of vehicles in front of you while in cruise control. The Corolla Cross Hybrid SE has a blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert, perfect for teenagers learning how to drive.
With an affordable MSRP, top notch safety features, and Toyota reliability, this car is perfect for those wanting a family car, a commuter car, or just a green machine. Schedule a test drive at Earnhardt Toyota or use our online chat to ask your questions now!
Isabelle Justice 