2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Review: Quick Take
Vehicular oatmeal. That’s what I’ve referred to the Corolla Cross as before.
That sounds harsh, but hey, how many folks eat oatmeal for breakfast every winter morning? It’s dependable and reliable, if not a little boring.
On the face of it, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is more of the same. Toyota’s hybrid systems are all about dependable and affordable efficiency, right?
Yes. The electrified model elbows past much of the segment however, thanks to a combination of ease of use, refined manners, and unmatched fuel economy.
A better drive
The CC Hybrid features its own unique brand of the 2.0-liter inline-four found in the regular model. It pairs with the brand’s fifth-gen hybrid powertrain, which pushes power up to 196 horsepower. Electric all-wheel drive is standard: there’s no physical connection between the axles, only an electric motor acting on the rear axle itself. Electric torque peaks at 152 pound-feet; the gas engine brings 139 lb-ft to the table. An e-CVT handles not-shifting duties.
A curated first drive loop in San Diego put the Corolla Cross Hybrid in a good light, so I’m happy to report the experience translates to a chilly late-fall weekend together. The hybrid setup gives it so much more off-the-line oomph, and keeps the engine from needing to rev quite so high, quite so often. It’s a perfectly pleasant daily driver, with reasonable quietude and solid sight lines. The steering is light and accurate, while the brake pedal is fool-proof.
What I didn’t expect was that the Hybrid could even be fun. I drove this same unit around the autocross course at the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada’s annual TestFest event and it was tossable and agile. The Subaru Crosstrek? Anodyne. The Koreans? Initially chuckable, but wooden and with tardy kickdowns from their eight-speed auto ‘boxes.
We can’t forget that fuel economy either. The official combined figure is 42 mpg (5.6 L/100 km). I barely did worse over our time together with 40.5 mpg (5.8 L/100 km). Most cars in this class struggle to do 30 mpg (7.9 L/100 km).
Learning curve? What learning curve?
The Corolla Cross cabin is not the fanciest. It lacks the tech vibe of the latest Hyundai Kona, or the quality of the Mazda CX-30. The dashboard design is dated, and the seat heater control font is a strange, skewed version of the text found elsewhere.
But I’d be lying if I told you it took more than a few seconds to get a full lay of the land. The Corolla Cross’ simplicity is its advantage: there’s no second-guessing how to do anything in this car.
This ease-of-use extends to Toyota’s most recent infotainment system. The touchscreen has a simple navigation menu, and wireless Apple CarPlay worked without issue. A wireless charger is one of the few misses in the cabin: it just doesn’t work well with larger phones.
Over a weekend of back-and-forth travel, I found the Cross’ front seats comfortable, though the bases are a little short. The rear bench is adult-capable, if not adult-friendly. There’s no hybrid penalty for cargo storage either, with the same 24.3 cubic feet (688 liters) of storage behind the seats, which expands by roughly 150-percent if you fold the second row. A power tailgate is a rarity in this segment, so props to Toyota for including one.
Dollars and sense
As-tested, this top-of-the-line Corolla Cross Hybrid rings in at $32,400 ($38,685 CAD) including destination. American buyers can slide into the basic hybrid S for over three grand in savings; the Canadian lineup starts with America’s mid-level SE, which is about the same amount in savings, just in Loonies.
That seems like a lot for this class, and it is; inflation, baby. But all the small crossovers are around this price now. The Honda HR-V makes even the regular CC look quick, and a loaded one is only around $1,000 cheaper in the US (and that much more in Canada). A Kia Seltos, Hyundai Kona, or Subaru Crosstrek will all ring up at comparable prices in their top specs, too. The Koreans have a few more tech goodies, it’s important to note—although the Kona eschews a power tailgate in Canada. Only the Mazda CX-30 climbs higher, and that’s because of its optional, powerful turbo engine.
Another factor to consider: wait times for this are generally non-existent, whereas the RAV4 Hybrid still commands ‘em.
Verdict: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Quick Take
The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is not the flashiest, most attention-grabbing option in this segment—retina-searing paint job aside. But its easy approachability and peerless fuel economy make so much sense. Other small SUVs have the curb appeal, but if it were my money for the next 10 years, it’d be hard to skip over the CC Hybrid. Maybe I’ll pass on the fancy breakfast sandwich or oh-so-millennial avocado toast. One order of warm oatmeal, please.
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Kyle began his automotive obsession before he even started school, courtesy of a remote control Porsche and various LEGO sets. He later studied advertising and graphic design at Humber College, which led him to writing about cars (both real and digital). He is now a proud member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), where he was the Journalist of the Year runner-up for 2021.
More by Kyle Patrick
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If these electric vehicles are so great why is the Government (taxpayers) incentiveing them? Some people will never buy one as the reliability ratings now are horrible. In States with wide open spaces in my opinion can not think they will work. The problems are still unknown as it is just the start
This excellent review of the Corolla Cross Hybrid cinched it for me.
This will probably be my next car.
Thanks for the evaluation!