2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is the One You Want

Corolla Cross debuts fifth generation of the Toyota Hybrid System.

Finally. Toyota early Wednesday continued its product blitz from its headquarters in Plano, Texas. Arguably the most important launch is this, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. It addresses two of the main criticisms we’ve had with the regular CC, which debuted late last year: the drivetrain, and the infotainment.

We’ll start with what’s behind that restyled nose. Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid system motivates all four wheels via electronic all-wheel drive. While Toyota didn’t share displacement details, the combo is good for 194 horsepower and a combined 37 miles per gallon (6.4 L/100 km). For reference, the non-hybrid musters just 169 hp with a combined 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km) rating. The extra 25 horsepower and instant battery torque helps produce an 8.2-second run to 62 mph (100 km/h). Toyota doesn’t even quote the figure for the gas car—but from our experience, it’s slow.

The front bumper is unique to the hybrid, marking it out from the rest of the CC family. Buyers will find available two-tone paint options as well as unique alloy wheel designs. In America, the hybrid model will be available in the existing LE and XLE grades, while also debuting S, SE, and XSE trims. Canada will limit the hybrid lineup to only the latter two trims. A new Acidic Blast paint color also joins the lineup, available only with the contrasting black roof. SE and XSE trims get an available black and blue interior color scheme, in fabric or SofTex, respectively. The SE includes rear privacy glass, roof rails, and paddle shifters, while the XSE adds 18-inch alloys and LED exterior lighting.

Toyota is bringing its Toyota Multimedia System to every Corolla Cross trim for 2023, including the hybrid. The infotainment setup is quicker and prettier than before, and bang up to date with features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, “Hey Toyota” voice assistant, cloud navigation, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. Users can now pair two phones via Blutooth simultaneously, and an available Wi-Fi Connect subscription opens up the ability to link either Apple Music or Amazon Music to the Corolla Cross. Goodbye Entune; you won’t be missed. Toyota has also added USB-C charge ports.

Rounding out the list of improvements for the 2023 Corolla Cross is the upgrade to standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. This includes better sensors, expanding the automated emergency system to detect motorcycles and assist at intersections. Toyota says the Lane Departure Alert and Lane Tracing Assist benefit from improved lane recognition, as well. TSS 3.0 also includes automatic high beams, road sign assist, rear seat reminder, and adaptive cruise control. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also standard, starting on SE.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid will be built at the new Huntsville, Alabama plant, which is a joint project with Mazda. It has the capacity to build 150,000 Corolla Crosses per year. We expect the entire 2023 Corolla Cross lineup to arrive in dealerships in a matter of months. Expect more details on pricing then.

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