DRIVERS hoping to combine fuel efficiency and practicality in a small, tall daily driver should consider the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.
Toyota’s latest cute-ute is a great value that ditches over-stimulating interiors for more tame functionality.
As its name suggests, the Corolla Cross Hybrid takes the well-known Corolla sedan and transforms it into a crossover.
Toyota has raised the ride height by three inches, added protective black wheel cladding around the wheel arch, and finished it off with a versatile hatchback.
To those who have never seen a Corolla with a D-pillar, I promise it looks rather handsome.
- This story is part of a series of test drives by Ben Shimkus, a Motors Reporter for The U.S. Sun.
Like the standard Corolla, the Cross comes with two powertrain options.
Drivers can nab a full-gas or hybrid SUV option.
Our XSE trim came equipped with the latter, delivering an impressive 42 mpg combined.
A majority of our driving in the Corolla Cross came on the highway, where most hybrid cars struggle to achieve the same efficiency.
But our tester kept the fuel-efficient party going, keeping pace with more than 40 mpg throughout the ride.
In fact, the Corolla Cross Hybrid outperformed some of the plug-in hybrids with larger powertrain-focused batteries we’ve recently tested.
However, the highway drive did point out the Corolla Cross’ biggest flaw – the car has relatively thin doors that let in a lot of road noise.
Still, the car was comfortable from the digitally adjustable driver’s seat. An upgraded sound system also helped minimize road noise concerns.
The XSE model we tested was loaded with features, including a dual-tone exterior, blacked-out emblems, an upgraded JBL sound system, and a moonroof.
Inside, the car really leans into its practical ethos.
The Corolla Cross’ infotainment system is smaller than that of some of its competitors. It’s also surrounded by plenty of well-labeled physical buttons.
Toyota staved off design trends that have plenty of other companies offering digitization wherever they could swap out a button.
The automaker’s decision to keep buttons isn’t revolutionary – but it sure is smart. Cars with buttons in the dash are easier to drive.
IMPRESSIONS BEHIND THE WHEEL
The suspension strikes a good balance, offering enough firmness to handle corners confidently while still absorbing road imperfections.
While not particularly sporty, the steering was firm enough to direct the car easily.
No Corolla Cross is going to win a drag race.
However, the car was speedy enough to get on the highway without producing any sweat.
Also, much like the Prius we recently tested, the electric battery is zippy while traversing cities through sub-40-mph streets.
I was particularly impressed with how frequently the car jumped into all-electric modes, even at high speeds.
The Corolla Cross seemed at home coasting on its electric battery above 60 mph several times.
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE Review
The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is an exceptional value. Here is what we liked and didn’t like:
Pros:
- VALUE: The Corolla Cross Hybrid is under $30,000, and base gas-powered trims are in the low $20,000 range. That’s impressive for an SUV with a reliable badge.
- SMOOTH RIDE: The SUV’s suspension is a clear upgrade over Toyota’s smaller cars. The Cross handled road bumps and blemishes easily.
- EFFICIENCY: The hybrid kicked in at just the correct times and gave us 40 mpg through most of our highway drives.
- PRACTICALITY: Everything inside feels well-thought-out. The dash has plenty of physical buttons, and the seats are easily adjustable. We also loved the rear-seat cupholder placement and air conditioning vents.
Cons:
- ROAD NOISE: The Corolla Cross’ doors don’t have a loud thud, which typically indicates there may not be a lot of insulation in the panels. We noticed elevated noise on the highway.
- PRACTICAL, YES. BUT MAYBE BLAND?: The Toyota Corolla Cross is a well-appointed SUV. But it is not the most exciting vehicle on the market.
PRICING BREAKDOWN
These additions brought the total as-tested price to $35,670.
However, Toyota left plenty of budget-friendly options for drivers looking to cut upfront costs.
Base models of the Corolla Cross Hybrid are available at a more accessible price point of $28,220, while the base gas model can be had for as low as $23,860.
The entry-level Corolla Cross models cost just over a thousand dollars more than the standard Corolla’s base price of $22,050.
That impressive value puts the Corolla Cross within striking distance of some of the least expensive cars on the US market.
Given Toyota’s strong track record of reliability, particularly among its SUVs, I can foresee several Corolla Cross Hybrids entering family driveways for the long haul.
