2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Overview

The 2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid earns the Corolla part of its name honestly: it's practical, efficient, and value-oriented—and not in the least exciting. As the hybrid SUV of Corollas, it also has increased cargo room, standard all-wheel drive, and slightly higher ride height than the Corolla sedan. The same can be said of its non-hybrid sibling, but that model (reviewed separately) uses a cranky 169-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder; the Corolla Cross hybrid also uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but combines it with three electric motors for a combined output of 196 horsepower. Not only is it more fuel efficient but it’s considerably quicker than the standard Corolla Cross too. True to form, Toyota loads it up with plenty of standard driver assistance and safety features, and the latest infotainment software running on an 8-inch screen. The interior design is pretty spartan, though, and its off-road aspirations are best limited to dusty two-tracks. Though the on-road ride is smooth, even mild enthusiast drivers will find it dull dynamically, making rivals such as the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 more attractive to buyers who like to drive.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

#12 in Best Subcompact SUVs

1

Chevrolet Trax

STARTING AT: $21,495

2

Mazda CX-30

STARTING AT: $26,415

3

Buick Envista

STARTING AT: $23,495

4

Volkswagen Taos

STARTING AT: $25,420

5

Kia Niro Hybrid

STARTING AT: $28,315

12

Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

STARTING AT: $29,570

What's New for 2024?

For 2024, the Corolla Cross SE and XSE trims get updated wireless smartphone charging pads. Otherwise, the model carries over with minimal changes.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Given its thrifty mission and the high level of standard driver aids, we feel the SE trim hits the sweet spot. Standard equipment on the SE includes tinted windows, roof rails, blind-spot monitoring, and paddle shifters. All-wheel drive is standard with the hybrid powertrain. The XSE adds faux leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power driver's seat; all nice amenities but slightly out of tune with this vehicle's thrifty agenda.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s powertrain is comprised of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and three electric motors making a combined 196 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard. Not only dramatically more fuel efficient than the standard Corolla Cross, the hybrid version is also quicker. In C/D testing, the hybrid hit 60 mph in 7.3 seconds versus a pokey 9.2 seconds for the standard model. The hybrid also features a slightly sportier suspension tune, but any dreams of GR Corolla levels of driving fun will be crushed as soon as you slip behind the wheel.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA figures for the Corolla Cross are high: 45 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 42 combined. That’s 15 mpg better than the city rating for the nonhybrid all-wheel drive Corolla Cross and 12 mpg better in combined driving. It even ekes out a six miles per gallon advantage in highway driving; in our hands, we recorded 36 mpg on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route versus 30 mpg for the non-hybrid model. Fuel efficiency aside, the hybrid powertrain in the Corolla Cross Hybrid is notably more powerful and less gruff, a winning combination for any car. For more information about the Corolla Cross hybrid's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

As is the case with the standard model, the Corolla Cross hybrid’s interior follows the template set by the Corolla four-door sedan. It’s basic and functional, and the instrument panel, dash, and features are near carbon copies—but the style department must have missed the Corolla memo on day one. The primary benefit of the Cross version is the addition of cargo room. The Corolla Cross Hybrid offers 21.5 cubic feet behind the second row compared to the sedan’s 13.1 cubic-foot trunk and the hatchback's 17.8 cubes. Lower trims are far more basic, but the top-spec XSE model comes with nice-looking faux-leather upholstery, heated front seats, a sunroof, ambient interior lighting, and a flip-down center armrest for rear-seat passengers.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

Out of the Corolla Cross hybrid's dashboard sprouts an 8.0-inch square infotainment display running Toyota's latest software interface. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio are standard, but wireless smartphone charging, rear-seat USB charging ports, and a JBL stereo system are optional.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

With the Corolla Cross, Toyota will continue its current trend of standardizing driver-assistance features by offering a suite of systems on all trims that includes adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. For more information about the Corolla Cross's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features will likely include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning
• Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

New Toyota models come with a fairly basic standard warranty package, but the company throws in two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance to sweeten the deal. Rivals such as the Kia Seltos or the Hyundai Kona may offer more value for high-mileage drivers with their 100,000-mile policies.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Hybrid components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 25,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $32,400/$35,565
Options: Convenience package, $1250; JBL Premium audio, $800; adaptive front headlights, $615; two-tone paint; $500

POWERTRAIN
DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4, 150 hp, 139 lb-ft + 3 AC motors, 111 and 40 hp, 152 and 62 lb-ft (combined output: 196 hp, lithium-ion battery pack)
Transmissions, F/R: continuously variable automatic/direct-drive

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.0-in vented disc/11.1-in disc
Tires: Goodyear Assurance Finesse
225/55R-18 98V M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 103.9 in
Length: 176.8 in
Width: 71.9 in
Height: 64.8 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 52/37 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 40/22 ft³
Curb Weight: 3433 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.3 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.6 sec @ 89 mph
100 mph: 20.2 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.3 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.7 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 113 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 182 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.82 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 35 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 36 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 380 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 42/45/38 mpg

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs