2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Evaluate: Much less Gradual, Nonetheless Regular

An 8-inch touchscreen show is customary and makes use of the newest model of Toyota’s infotainment system; we prefer it greater than earlier variations in older Toyotas, but it surely trails what could be present in Kias and Hyundais. The place the system comes up quick is that there’s no residence button, the display solely shows one perform at a time, and companies like navigation are cloud-based (learn: want an information connection). Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity are customary, although, which could be very good for the category. I had problem protecting my cellphone in place on the wi-fi system charger within the XSE model I drove, however that has been an issue with my cellphone and its case (an Otterbox Symmetry) in most flat or near-flat wi-fi chargers. The graphics match these on Toyota’s bigger screens, however the icons appear downsized, making the bodily display itself really feel small.

Faster, Nonetheless Dynamically Good

Including 27 hp extra is simply what the physician ordered for the Corolla Cross; the hybrid’s stronger powertrain feels fast sufficient round city and satisfactory on the freeway. Usually that’s faint reward, however right here it’s an enormous enchancment. The gas-only Corolla Cross felt so gradual we truly felt involved for our security. The engine is aggravatingly noisy, and the E-CVT has a rubber band feeling to it. You press the accelerator, the revs climb, and then the remainder of the automobile catches on to what’s taking place and accelerates. These are each qualities I’m keen to stay with to drive a automobile that really accelerates once you press the accelerator pedal, even when it’s just a little clumsy. I’m additionally keen to stay with it getting something near the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s manufacturer-estimated 45/38/42 mpg rankings — the gas-only Corolla Cross is rated at 29/32/30 mpg with AWD and 31/33/32 mpg with front-wheel drive.

Because the sportier Corolla Cross, the hybrid has a “sport-tuned” suspension. I’m cautious of such descriptions when utilized to non-sporty automobiles, because it might imply an unnecessarily agency journey. As a substitute, it stays easy and composed, even with the XSE’s 18-inch wheels as an alternative of the S and SE’s 17s. I believed it dealt with fairly properly on twistier stretches — for a subcompact SUV — and rode effectively over bumps with respectable isolation. The Mazda CX-30 is a sportier possibility if that’s what you’re in search of, however the Corolla Cross Hybrid is way nearer to the CX-30 than the fuel model is. If, for some purpose, you need an excessively sporty small SUV, go for the Hyundai Kona N — even when I’m bitter that it spelled demise for my very own Veloster N.

Braking is one other weak point of the Corolla Cross Hybrid. The brake pedal feels mushy, and it’s tough to modulate; this isn’t new for hybrids, particularly from Toyota, however driving this after the brand new Prius Prime and its comparatively wonderful braking felt particularly disappointing.

Each the hybrid and fuel Corolla Cross are rated to tow as much as 1,500 kilos. We thought the fuel model can be a security hazard as a tow rig, and regardless of the added energy, I can’t actually fathom utilizing the hybrid to tow something.

A number of Options Nonetheless Commonplace

A robust swimsuit of the Corolla Cross is its customary tools, and it’s no shock that the hybrid isn’t any completely different. Apart from the aforementioned wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, consumers get a bunch of normal security tech as a part of Toyota’s Security Sense 3.0 suite. That features adaptive cruise management with lane departure warning, lane departure steering help and lane-centering steering, ahead collision warning with computerized emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert and extra. I didn’t exit of my method to take a look at these options (you’re welcome, Toyota and fellow drivers), however in regular operation, they labored effectively and weren’t aggravating. The lane-centering steering — Toyota calls it lane-tracing help — labored properly with out overly pinballing the automobile from lane boundary to lane boundary.

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Value Issues

That the Corolla Cross Hybrid is costlier than the fuel model is a given; what might disappoint buyers, nonetheless, is that it’s actually pushing into compact SUV costs. Whereas the gas-only Corolla Cross begins at $25,695 with AWD, and a loaded mannequin can simply eclipse $32,000, the Corolla Cross Hybrid begins at $27,970 with no vacation spot charge; absolutely loaded, the value can climb into the $35,000 vary, although that does embrace about $1,000 price of beauty choices like optionally available paint colours (Acidic Blast seems sick, although) and a two-tone roof to match the black badging. That will make the Corolla Cross Hybrid the most costly automobile in our final comparability by 1000’s, and for that cash, you could possibly get a properly outfitted Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage, for instance. If you happen to’re actually occupied with going inexperienced, there are cheaper electrical automobiles, too, just like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV; base variations of the Kia Niro EV and Hyundai Kona EV are priced equally to a loaded Corolla Cross Hybrid.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid is the decide of the Corolla Crosses and a robust alternative within the aggressive subcompact SUV class.

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