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The Corolla Cross SUV takes economy-car running gear and blends it with an upright crossover body. It’s offered with all-wheel drive, and has more room than the front-drive-only Toyota C-HR though it shares much of its shape with the bigger and more capable RAV4. Shop the Corolla Cross against the Hyundai Kona, Honda HR-V, and Subaru Crosstrek—although the Corolla Cross has an advantage now over any of them with its 42-mpg hybrid version.
We’ve called it sluggish but safe, with a well-tuned ride. Last year’s version earned a TCC Rating of 6.0 out of 10—but consider the number a bit higher if you’re focusing in on the hybrid. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
Most of the rest carries over, including those RAV4-like styling cues. The Corolla Cross could have been dubbed a RAV3, with the angled wheel wells and roof pillars that taper at the rear into a softer, stubbier body than that of the top-selling RAV4. Inside, the Corolla Cross has a familiar layout, with a wide touchscreen that sits on a straightforward and cleanly organized dash, wrapped in a good grade of plastic.
The standard-issue Corolla Cross still wrings out mediocre performance from the Toyota parts-bin engine under its hood, a 169-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 that teams with a CVT to send its power to the front wheels. It’s noisy, and doesn’t snap off stoplight launches to justify that excess. It’s offered with all-wheel drive, but we like the front-driver better for its less complex setup and its better-damped ride—odd enough, since the more complex multi-link rear suspension on AWD and hybrid versions handles vertical ride motions with more assertive damping.
Toyota grafts on a version of the familiar Prius AWD hybrid system in the Corolla Cross Hybrid. With two electric motors within its front hybrid transmission and one at the rear, it’s outfitted with all-wheel drive and nets 196 hp, bringing the 0-60 mph time down to 8.0 seconds and hitting an EPA 42 mpg combined.
At 175.6 inches long, about a half-foot shorter than a RAV4, the Corolla Cross rides on a wheelbase that’s only a couple of inches shorter. That translates into excellent space for front passengers. In back, it’s a half-foot less for rear-seat leg room. The ‘Cross needs better padding on its front seats, but ample headroom and a fine driving position get good marks; it’s able to carry four people comfortably, though a fifth passenger will be a tight fit.
The Corolla Cross sports standard automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitors come standard on the LE and XLE, and on all hybrids above the S trim. No crash-test results have been reported from the NHTSA, but the IIHS gives it a Top Safety Pick+ award.
How much does the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross cost?
The 2023 Corolla Cross L starts at $24,275, and includes cloth seats, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and power features. The $26,605 Corolla Cross LE upgrades to an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone charging. Toyota’s 3-year/36,000-mile warranty includes two years or 24,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance. It’s $28,380 for a 2023 Corolla Cross XLE.
All 2023 Corolla Cross trims get a new infotainment interface with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, USB-C ports, and connected navigation with cloud-based routing and POI search, as well a wi-fi hotspot service through AT&T.
Hybrids come in S, SE, and XSE spec, all with 17-inch wheels, the bigger touchscreen, a sport suspension, and LED lighting. SE Hybrids gain blind-spot monitors and roof rails, while the XSE gets better LED headlights and a power heated driver seat with synthetic leather.
Where is the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross made?
In Huntsville, Alabama.
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