The growing small SUV segment we call “mid-compact” covers all kinds of niches, including outdoor adventures, sporty driving, families and more. With one imperfect exception, which we’ll get to later, there hasn’t yet been a proper hybrid-powered entry. Well, that changes with the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.
As its name implies, it’s based on the fairly unremarkable 2023 Corolla Cross, which doesn’t fill any niche beyond trying to woo people who had positive associations with a Toyota Corolla. It could benefit from having something of its own, and crushing its competitors’ fuel economy does just that. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 45 mpg city, 38 mpg highway and 42 mpg combined. That’s higher than the regular all-wheel-drive Cross’ combined estimate of 30 mpg, which was already tied with the 2.0-liter Subaru Crosstrek as the class leader; It’s true that most competitors are only 1 or 2 mpg behind. According to EPA fuel cost estimates, you could save about $500 each year by opting for the Cross Hybrid.
You’ll also get a significant performance advantage, at least compared to the regular Cross. The Cross Hybrid comes with Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid powertrain also found in the impressive 2023 Toyota Prius. Specifically, the all-wheel drive version that adds a third motor to power the rear axle. Like the all-wheel-drive Prius, total system output is 196 horsepower, compared to 169 for the gasoline Cross. That is the difference between the Corolla Cross, which is one of the slowest vehicles in the segment, and the Cross Hybrid, which is one of the fastest.
Of course, “faster” is not the same as genuinely fast. If you want that, a turbocharged Kia Seltos or Mazda CX-30 is the way to go. But it certainly accelerates with greater urgency than a Honda HR-V or a 2.0-liter Crosstrek, and the acceleration is adequate for the segment. It also benefits from the additional offline electric motor application of the improved fifth-generation hybrid system and a smoother connection of the gasoline engine.
Unfortunately, engine operation may be smoother than previous Toyota hybrids, but the omnipresent drone every time you step back on the accelerator is still there and gets old quickly. Interestingly, the new Prius doesn’t do this, or rather, the sound seems buried deep in the engine bay. This was one of the reasons why the new Prius impressed so much. We suspected the Corolla Cross simply had less soundproofing, but Prius chief engineer Satoki Oya said the noise difference is actually a result of the otherwise equal Prius engine having an additional balance shaft that reduces noise. noise and vibration. The Corolla Cross actually has more soundproofing to eliminate some particularly unpleasant frequencies, but it’s obviously not enough to completely compensate.
The Corolla Cross Hybrid is available exclusively in what have traditionally been considered sporty Toyota trim levels (SE and XSE), as well as a new base S trim level shown above. These are not available on the regular Cross. A sport-tuned suspension is the only mechanical upgrade that comes with these models, aside from the performance upgrade. Admittedly, I haven’t driven a standard Corolla Cross, so I can’t comment on the difference, but “sport tuned” is a relative term. The Hybrid doesn’t gloat, but nothing about the experience says “sporty.” The limp steering responses certainly don’t help, although at least putting the car in Sport mode adds a dollop of extra weight. That’s not something you’ll find in the regular Corolla Cross.
Most buyers won’t mind these criticisms of its tepid dynamics and will gladly accept the huge fuel economy figure and perfectly competent control responses. It is a simple and easy to drive commuter car. It doesn’t even have a weird gear selector like the Prius or most other Toyota hybrids.
The S/SE/XSE trims provide the usual visual upgrades plus hybrid-specific improvements. Chief among them is the new face, the differences of which you can see below with the normal Cross on the right in green. Basically, the trapezoidal grille has been moved south to the bottom of the fascia and is adorned with gloss black moldings, while a bulge juts out between the headlights like a button tip. The Toyota badge rests on its interior curiously finished in black to match the SE’s all-black badge instead of the typical blue badge found on other Toyota hybrids. The Cross Hybrid looks more closely related to the RAV4, especially with the contrasting black roof available as a $500 standalone option on the SE and XSE.
Differences at the rear are effectively limited to a gloss black trim on the lower bumper instead of the usual matte black plastic accented with a body-color decorative panel. “Roof rails” are included on the SE and XSE, but they are really just raised trim pieces with fixed crossbars bolted to them. There are also unique wheel designs, available in 17-inch (S and SE) and 18-inch sizes, and the gold “Acidic Blast” paint color you see here is exclusive to the Hybrid.
The interior is inherited from the Corolla Cross, except for exclusive upholstery. A black cloth with gray accents is mandatory on the S (bottom two photos above) and is one of two options on the SE along with a black/blue combination. The XSE (pictured above) has all-black or black SofTex vinyl upholstery with blue accents.
Every 2023 Corolla Cross now gets Toyota’s latest infotainment system, which gets quicker responses and a more modern look (yay), but loses its easy-to-use physical menu buttons (boo). The screen still measures 8 inches, which now seems a bit small. The Toyota. . There is only a tachometer that resets to zero when you stop or the electric motor solely powers the car.
These instruments are indicative of a cabin that generally lacks the style of most competitors, especially the charming new cabin of the HR-V and the tech-packed 2023 Kia Niro. Oh yeah, that would be the other hybrid that now resides in this segment after it grew significantly with its 2023 overhaul. It’s an imperfect comparison, but it’s still a tough one for the Cross Hybrid. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive, which is the only way to get the Corolla Cross Hybrid, and it’s slower despite relying on a traditional automatic transmission that helps it avoid the Cross’s droning problems. It’s also not as high off the ground (the Cross Hybrid has a decent 8 inches of ground clearance) and overall feels less like an SUV. However, the Niro is more agile to drive and gets 53 mpg combined. It’s not as big a jump in fuel economy as it might seem, but it should still equate to a few hundred dollars per year.
The little Kia also has a substantially larger back seat than the Toyota: in the Corolla Cross, full-size adults sitting in front and behind may find their knees brushing the dashboard and front seat, respectively. Cargo space on paper would seem to favor the Corolla Cross by a couple of cubic feet (the hybrid has the same 21.5 cubic feet as the regular all-wheel-drive Corolla Cross), but the Kia has more functional space in practice. Neither has a spare tire: a thick wiring harness needed for the extra rear motor snakes through the area where the regular Cross’s spare tire would be, leaving a gaping, useless chasm filled with gray foam.
Pricing is similar between the two – the Kia starts lower but goes up, but it should as it’s available with much more equipment at its top end. The Cross Hybrid starts at $29,305 for the S, including the $1,335 destination charge. The SE rises to $30,625; the XSE at $32,400. Those estimates are about $4,000 more expensive than comparable regular Corolla Cross trim levels. That’s a lot more than you’ll probably be able to pay using fuel economy alone, but you’ll also get more thanks to additional performance, styling upgrades and, presumably, a slightly more engaging driving experience.
There’s also the matter of the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid being the more competitive vehicle overall, or at least more capable of standing out among a crowded field of interesting and well-rounded players. Its high fuel economy is a big deal, as is its standard all-wheel drive system. Nothing else offers that combination for its price and size. Would putting snow tires on a Niro be a better option? Maybe. How about paying a little more for a RAV4 Hybrid that costs around $31,000? Yes probably. So, not exactly a ringing endorsement. But hey, that Acidic Blast paint and black roof look great. There’s that.
