The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid provides a second and extra economical powertrain to the compact SUV that debuted final 12 months. Dropping Toyota’s well-proven and fuel-efficient hybrid system into the Corolla Cross boosts gasoline effectivity to an estimated 42 mpg mixed, towards the 30 mpg mixed of the usual AWD mannequin. All hybrid variations of the Corolla Cross include all-wheel drive as customary.
Toyota has priced the brand new hybrid aggressively, beginning at $29,305 and ranging into the mid-30s for a closely optioned top-spec model (together with the necessary $1,335 supply payment).
Corolla Cross Hybrid design variations
Unlike a few of Toyota’s different hybrid fashions, the Corolla Cross Hybrid is visually distinct from the gasoline-only model. In addition to distinct wheel designs, it has a grille blanking panel that stands out, particularly in our check automobile’s new yellow-green paint shade referred to as “Acidic Blast” that you simply’ll possible see in adverts for the hybrid model. A two-tone remedy with a contrasting roof (black in that case) can also be obtainable.
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
From the surface, the little SUV has proportions that break up the distinction between utility automobile and compact wagon—although the W-word scares away patrons, so that you’ll by no means hear it from the corporate. Inside, it turns into clear the little SUV is constructed to a value, with various exhausting black plastic trim. Aside from hybrid data added to the shows, the inside is little modified from that of the traditional model.
Corolla Cross Hybrid efficiency and hybrid system
The hybrid Corolla Cross is fitted with a 150-hp, 2.0-liter inline-4 married to Toyota’s well-proven two-motor hybrid system, now in its fifth technology, with its planetary gear system taking the place of a typical combustion-vehicle transmission. The motors present 152 lb-ft of torque, greater than the engine’s 139 lb-ft. Total internet output of the mixed system is 196 hp, a lift over the gasoline mannequin’s 169 hp. A 0.9-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack shops power recaptured from engine overrun or regenerative braking, giving the automobile the flexibility to speed up gently as much as 20 mph on electric-only energy—although if you might want to get away extra rapidly, the engine will kick on.
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
Unlike the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid we examined on the identical time—or the Prius hybrid—the engine within the Corolla Cross Hybrid was obvious any time it switched on, and a disconcerting judder could possibly be felt because the engine engaged and added energy. That’s extremely uncommon for any Toyota hybrid; we’ll chalk it as much as testing an early manufacturing mannequin. The Eco drive mode was predictably slower, whereas the Sport mode added a little bit of incremental perkiness at the price of fairly much more noise.
Overall, the engine-noise stage of the Corolla Cross Hybrid was greater than we might have favored, particularly given its common acceleration of 8.0 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. That’s greater than a second faster than the equally noisy gasoline model, however for the $4,000 premium over these different fashions some refinement is lacking.
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
Corolla Cross Hybrid consolation and journey: noisy however delicate
The Corolla Cross Hybrid has a comparatively delicate and compliant journey, which means it’s high quality round city however not notably rewarding to throw round twisty mountain curves. That functionality isn’t essentially top-of-the-list for customers searching for an reasonably priced small SUV with good gasoline economic system and customary all-wheel drive. And the delicate journey helps absorb small imperfections within the highway floor.
In a mixed drive that included a lot of quick acceleration runs, some freeway miles, and two-lane nation roads, our check automobile confirmed a gasoline economic system studying of 36.7 mpg. Our driving wasn’t consultant, however that means that in additional predictable use round city, the 40-mpg stage may simply be reached.
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
Features and sportier trims
While the usual Corolla Cross is available in three trim ranges ( L, LE, and XLE), the brand new hybrid strains up on the sportier aspect of the spec sheet, with S, SE, and XSE trims. The two decrease grades include 17-inch alloy wheels and a central 8-inch touchscreen show within the sprint. Moving up from the Corolla Cross Hybrid S to the SE trim provides roof rails, tinted glass, paddle shifters, and each a blind-spot monitor and a rear cross-traffic alert.
The high XSE mannequin contains bigger 18-inch alloy wheels; LEDs for the headlights, taillights, and fog lights; an influence driver’s seat; heated entrance seats; and a extra premium upholstery materials. Options embrace sure paint colours at further price, the contrasting roof shade, a moonroof, adaptive headlights, a JBL audio system, and a comfort bundle for the XSE that bundles collectively a number of smaller options.
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
All Corolla Cross Hybrids include wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as customary. Toyota has added USB-C jacks, and the mannequin can now obtain sure over-the-air updates to appropriate issues or add options down the road.
The hybrid system is warranted for eight years or 100,000 miles, and the battery pack for ten years or 150,000 miles. All Corolla Cross variations are assembled in a Huntsville, Alabama, plant that Toyota shares with Mazda, which assembles its compact CX-50 crossover utility automobile there.
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Toyota supplied airfare, lodging, and meals to allow Green Car Reports to carry you this first-person drive report.
Source: www.greencarreports.com