The growing segment of small SUVs we call “midcompact” covers all kinds of niches, including outdoor adventure, sports driving, family-friendly, etc. With one imperfect exception that we’ll cover later, there hasn’t been a dynamic entry yet. suitable hybrid engine. Yes, that changes with Toyota Corolla Cross 2023 Mixture.
As the name suggests, it’s based on something quite trivial 2023 Corolla of the Cross that doesn’t satisfy any niche other than trying to attract people who have a positive association with a Toyota Corolla. It can benefit from having its own thing and crushing the competition energy saving just do it. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 45 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 42 mpg combined. That’s up from the Cross’ conventional all-wheel drive combined estimate of 30 mpg, which is already tied to the 2.0-liter engine. Subaru Crosstrek to lead the class – most competitors are admittedly only 1 or 2 mpg behind. Based on EPA With fuel cost estimates, you could save about $500 per year by choosing the Cross Hybrid.
You’ll also get a significant performance advantage, at least over the regular Cross. Cross Hybrid comes with Toyotafifth generation mixture powertrain is also found in Impressive Toyota Prius 2023. Specifically, the all-wheel drive version has a third engine to power the rear wheels. Like all-wheel drive Prius, the system’s total output is 196 hp, up from 169 hp in the petrol-only Cross. That’s the difference between garland of crosses is one of the slower vehicles in its class, and the Cross Hybrid is one of the faster.
Of course, “faster” doesn’t mean really fast. If you want that, a turbocharged engine Kia Seltos or Mazda CX-30 is the way to go. But it definitely accelerates with a degree of urgency Honda HR-WORLD or 2.0 liters diagonal line, and the acceleration is sufficient for the segment. It also benefits from the additional electric propulsion application of that improved fifth-generation hybrid system and smoother petrol engine engagement.
Unfortunately, the engine interaction can be smoother than in previous Toyota hybrids, but the ubiquitous drone whenever you hit the gas back up is still there and it will get old quickly. Interestingly, the new Prius doesn’t do this, or rather the sound seems to be buried deep in the engine compartment. That’s one of the reasons the new Prius is so impressive. We suspect the Corolla Cross simply has less noise, but Prius chief engineer Satoki Oya says the difference in noise is actually the result of the equivalent Prius engine having an extra balancer shaft. help reduce noise and vibration. Corolla Cross really has than reduce the sound to get rid of some particularly annoying frequencies, but obviously not enough to fully compensate.
The Corolla Cross Hybrid is only available in Toyota’s traditionally sportier trim levels – SE and XSE – as well as the new base S trim level described above. These are not available in regular Cross. The sport-tuned suspension is the only mechanical upgrade that comes with these trims, alongside a performance upgrade. Admittedly I haven’t driven a standard Corolla Cross, so I can’t comment on the difference, but “sporty tweak” is a relative term. The Hybrid isn’t immersive, but there’s nothing about the experience that says “sporty”. The inert responses from the steering certainly don’t help, though at least putting the car into Sport mode adds weight. That’s not something you’ll find in a regular Corolla Cross.
Most buyers won’t mind these criticisms for its warm dynamics, and will happily accept the hefty fuel economy figures and completely competent control responses. This is a simple, easy-to-drive commuting vehicle. It doesn’t even have that weird gear selector like the Prius or most other Toyota hybrids.
The S/SE/XSE versions offer the usual visual upgrades in addition to the hybrid-specific enhancements. Chief among them is the new look, the difference of which you can see below with the Regular Cross on the right in green. Basically, the trapezoidal grille extends south to the bottom of the fender and is adorned with a glossy black border, while a protrusion between the headlights resembles a button nose. The Toyota badge housed within it is oddly finished in black to match the SE’s all-black badging rather than the typical blue badge found on other Toyota hybrid models. Cross Hybrid looks more related to RAV4especially with the contrasting black hood available as a $500 standalone option on the SE and XSE.
The difference at the rear is effectively limited to a glossy black border on the lower bumper instead of the usual matte black plastic accented by decorative panels in the same body color. “Roof rails” are included on the SE and XSE, but they are really just enhanced trims with fixed crossbars bolted to them. There are also unique wheel designs, available in 17-inch (S and SE) and 18-inch sizes, with an “Acidic Blast” yellow paint job. color you see here is exclusive to Hybrid.
The interior is carried over from the Corolla Cross in addition to the unique upholstery. Black fabric with gray accents is required on the S (bottom two photos above) and is one of two options on the SE along with the black/blue combination. The XSE (pictured above) comes in all-black or black SofTex vinyl with blue accents.
Every 2023 Corolla Cross now features Toyota’s latest infotainment system, which is more responsive and has a more modern look (yay) but loses the user-friendly physical menu buttons. use (boo). The screen is still 8 inches, which seems a bit small now. The XSE has a digital instrument panel, which is becoming increasingly standard in this segment – a fact that is obvious when you step into the S or SE and face the simple Jane analog gauges that are even more common. Not even Toyota’s usual hybrid power meter. There is only one speed that drops to zero when you stop, or the electric motor just powers the car.
These devices are indicative of a cabin that in overview lacks the fanfare of most competitors – especially cute New HR-V cabin and full of technology Kia Niro 2023. Ah yes, that would be the other hybrid currently residing in this segment after it grew significantly with its 2023 overhaul. It’s an imperfect comparison, but it’s still a tough comparison for the Cross Hybrid. The Niro doesn’t offer all-wheel drive, it’s the only way to get the Corolla Cross Hybrid and slower though relying on a traditional automatic helps it avoid Cross’s drone problems. It also doesn’t sit high off the ground (the Cross Hybrid has 8 inches of ground clearance) and doesn’t look like an SUV in general. However, the Niro drives sharper and gets 53 mpg combined. That is not EQUAL This may seem like a huge leap in fuel economy, but it should still equal a few hundred dollars per year.
A little bit that also has a significantly larger rear seat than the Toyota – in the Corolla Cross, full-sized adults sitting front and rear can see their knees graze the dash and front seats, respectively. Cargo space on paper seems to favor the Corolla Cross by more than a few cubic feet (the Hybrid has the same 21.5 cubic feet as the regular Corolla Cross AWD), but the Kia has more functional space in practice. Neither comes with a spare tire – a sturdy sling required for the additional rear engine threaded through the usual Cross’ spare parts area, leaving a large, useless void filled with gray foam.
Pricing between the two is similar – the Kia starts lower but goes higher, but that should happen as it has more equipment available at the higher end. The Cross Hybrid starts at $29,305 for the S trim, including a $1,335 destination fee. SE rose to $30,625; XSE to $32,400. Those estimates are about $4,000 more expensive than comparable regular Corolla Cross trim levels. That’s a much higher number than you could possibly pay back on fuel economy alone, but then you’ll get even more out of the higher performance, styling improvements and perhaps is a slightly more engaging driving experience.
There’s also the matter of the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid as a vehicle in general being more competitive, or at least able to stand out more among a crowded field of interesting, all-round players. Its high fuel economy is a big deal, as is its standard all-wheel drive system. Nothing else offers that combination at its price and size. Will put Tires for traveling on snow on a Niro is a better bet? Maybe. How about paying a little more for a Hybrid RAV4 starting around $31,000? Of course. So not exactly a bell endorsement. But hey, the Acidic Blast paint and black roof look pretty cool. There is.
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