Flash Drive: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Flash Drive: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

40+ MPG Small SUV Starting Under $30,000

The Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling vehicles in the world and Toyota is the largest seller of hybrid vehicles in the world. To keep those lofty perches, sitting still will not do. So it was a logical step to offer the Corolla Cross as a hybrid small SUV in its second year on the market.

For 2023, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid joins its stablemate the Corolla Hybrid sedan that was new in 2021. With standard all-wheel drive this five-passenger small SUV will be a popular car for those busy with daily in-town and commuting driving. Clean Fleet Report got a chance to sample the model at a recent media event in San Diego.

Smooth Acceleration and Efficient Performance

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is powered by Toyota’s fifth generation hybrid system. It combines a 2.0-liter, 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors for a total system 196 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. Power is directed via an electronically continuously variable automatic transmission (eCVT) with paddle shifters, driving all four wheels with three driving modes of Eco, Power and EV.

Toyota’s hybrid automatically switches between the electric drive mode, combined electric motor and gasoline engine, and gasoline-only engine power. It was noticeable when the gasoline engine engaged, which is something the Toyota hybrid system usually does not to. Fuel economy for the Corolla Cross Hybrid is rated at 45 mpg city/38 highway with a combined average of 42. Running on regular unleaded, the hybrid system is designed to err on the side of fuel efficiency.

For more spirited performance, such as merging into freeway traffic, opt for the driver-selectable Power mode setting. Toyota rates the 0-60 time at eight seconds which is adequate for highway merging. Once in the traffic flow, Eco was more than capable for cruising at-or-above highway speeds. The engine was quiet at highway speeds, but under demanding acceleration it was buzzy and felt like it was laboring.

Battery and Brakes

The lithium-ion battery is charged when applying the brakes or coasting by the regenerative charging system that converts kinetic energy into electric energy and stores it in the battery. The recharging process can be viewed on a dash gauge.

When driving the Corolla Cross Hybrid in EV mode, primarily around town, it forces the car to run solely on electric power. The driving range in pure electric mode is short, so best save that battery juice for parking garages or sneaking in late at night.

The 3,430-pound Corolla Cross Hybrid is well balanced and comfortable but should not be considered a sporty car. The steering is responsive with a stable and controlled ride that absorbed most freeway bumps and dips. If interested in towing a light trailer, the maximum weight is 1,500 pounds.

Stopping comes from Toyota’s electronically controlled brake system that incorporates regenerative control and power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake force distribution.

Distinct Exterior

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid comes in three grades of S, SE and XSE. There is a choice of eight colors—Jet Black Mica, Cypress, Celestite, Wind Chill Pearl (with a $425 added cost) and Sonic Silver Metallic, Barcelona Red Metallic, Blue Crush Metallic and Acidic Blast. The last four have a contrasting black roof. Clean Fleet Report, at a media event in San Diego, drove a fully optioned XSE painted in the eye-catching Acidic Blast with the Black roof. There is no hiding when driving around in this color!

With a more rounded style than other Toyota SUVs, the front end is dominated by a large black grille bordered by slim LED headlights. There are crescent-shaped details on the doors, color-keyed door handles and power exterior mirrors. Black B-pillars (to match the black roof) and 18-inch black machined alloy wheels worked well together.

The sweptback windshield leads to the roof with rack rails, power sunroof and a black shark fin antenna. A short visor sits above a lightly raked rear window. LED tail and stoplights finish off the rear.

Comfortable Interior

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid interior is clean and basic, well-equipped with features such as push button start/stop and one-touch power windows. The gauges are large and have white numbers on a black background for easy viewing. Visibility from all angles is excellent. The driver seat is power adjustable and the passenger manual, but both were heated and covered in SofTex. The rear seat, with a folding center armrest, splits 60/40 and folds nearly flat.

The tilt and telescopic three-spoke steering wheel has controls for audio, hands-free Bluetooth telephone operation, voice recognition to control audio and other systems and cruise control.

The centerpiece of the Corolla Cross Hybrid is the 8-inch touchscreen rising from the dash. Here you will find controls for the 8-speaker AM/FM/Sirius/XM HD radio with wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. There are USB-C ports and an AT&T hotspot and Wi-Fi for streaming Apple Music and Amazon Music. A big thank you to Toyota for having volume and channel selection knobs.

Safety

The Corolla Cross Hybrid is equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, and a blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert. Additional active and passive safety features include air bags, a tire pressure monitoring system, collapsible steering column, anti-theft alarm and an engine immobilizer.

Pricing and Warranties

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid comes in three grades with these base prices, which include the $1,335 mandatory delivery, processing and handling fee.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid comes with these warranties.

• Hybrid Battery – 10 years/150,000 miles
• Hybrid Components – Eight years/100,000 miles                     
• Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles
• Basic – Three years/36,000 miles      
• Maintenance Plan – Two years/25,000 miles
• Roadside Assistance – Two years/25,000 miles                                  

Observations: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

For Toyota to add a hybrid system to the Corolla in all of its model extensions was probably inevitable. It should ensure the Corolla, one of the best-selling vehicles in the world, will keep its leadership position.

Built in Huntsville, Alabama the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is an economical vehicle to buy and drive. Basic driving needs—commuting, in-town errands or even day trips—will be easily handled with a maximum of electric driving.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s competitive price includes the standard safety and convenience features, as well as Toyota’s vaunted build quality, reliability and resale value.

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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Toyota.

Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.