~ A DriveWays Review ~
by Frank A. Aukofer

With more than 15 million Prius sales world-wide, Toyota boasts the most extensive experience with hybrid gasoline/electric vehicles. So insiders and environmentalists pay attention when the Japanese manufacturer delivers an all-new hybrid: the 2023 Corolla Cross XSE four-door crossover sport utility vehicle.

Never mind that Toyota’s RAV4 crossover is the best-selling of what the Environmental Protection agency considers a “small” sport utility vehicle. The agency has only two designations: “small” and “standard,” to describe every SUV on the market. For example, both the porky Cadillac Escalade and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer are “standard.”

Of course, the new Corolla Cross XSE tested here, which is slightly smaller than the popular RAV4, also is classified as “small”—though it’s not by much. But it does give buyers another nimble, economical choice in the “small” category, though reviewers and critics have informally classified both the Cross and RAV4 as “subcompact” SUVs.

“Small” SUVs, according to the EPA, include the Volkswagen Atlas and the Acura MDX. Hmm.

The tested Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE, though smaller, actually is a bit more expensive than a RAV4 Woodland Edition reviewed here earlier, which had a bottom-line sticker price of $34,360. The XSE’s suggested delivered price was $35,565, or $1,205 more than the RAV4.

Both vehicles were comparably equipped, with all-wheel drive and continuously variable automatic transmissions (CVTs). The Cross comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to three electric motors for a combined 196 horsepower. The electric motors boost the torque, or twisting force, but Toyota does not publish torque numbers for hybrids.

On the Corolla Cross, the power gets to all four wheels as the CVT maintains a steady surge of juice that can send the 3,345-pound vehicle to 60 miles an hour in the seven-second range—not outstanding in this era but enough to negotiate city and freeway traffic with full loads of passengers and cargo. It can tow up to 1,500 pounds.

The hybrid system is frugal. Its city/highway/combined fuel consumption is rated at 45/38/42 miles to the gallon of regular gasoline. Because gasoline is the primary fuel, it eliminates the so-called range anxiety some customers fear when considering BEVs, or battery electric vehicles.

The Corolla Cross is 14 feet 9 inches long, or four inches shorter than its RAV4 garage mate. Inside, it has 89 cubic feet of space for passengers and 22 cubic feet for cargo behind the back seat. If it were a sedan, those numbers would earn it an EPA designation of midsize. But the agency still lists it as “small.”

It seats five passengers, four of them mostly comfortable. As usual these days, the center-rear passenger gets short-changed with cramped space and a high, hard cushion.

The RAV4 is quite a bit roomier, with passenger space of 99 cubic feet and 38 cubic feet for cargo behind the second-row. The 137 cubic feet total of the two numbers, called interior volume, would place it in the EPA’s “large” car category—though it, too, is rated as “small.”

Enhancing the nimble size of the Corolla Cross is a sport-tuned independent suspension system with coil springs, stabilizer bars and hydraulic shock absorbers. Working in concert with responsive steering, it delivers relaxed handling on twisting roads.

Inside, the Corolla Cross displays Toyota’s traditional quality materials and workmanship, including heated seats in front upholstered with Softex artificial leather. The front seats and outboard back seats, with decent bolstering, also hug the torso during aggressive driving.

Extensive safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with steering assist, dynamic radar adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, blind spot monitor, safe exit assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking  assist with automatic braking.

With its upscale XSE designation, the tested Corolla Cross is well equipped inside and out.

Outside: Black 18-inch machine finished alloy wheels;  powered and heated outside mirrors with turn signal and blind spot warning lights; LED daytime running lights, tail lights, fog lights and stop lights; black roof rails; privacy glass on rear, side, quarter and lift gate windows, and variable speed windshield wipers with intermittent rear window wiper.

Inside: Navigation system; Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple Car Play and Android Auto; power glass sunroof, power rear lift gate, wireless smart phone charging, four USB-C charging outlets, leather covered tilt and telescoping steering wheel with paddle shifters, and hands-free Bluetooth voice command.

The Cross deserves checking.

Specifications

  • Model: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE four-door crossover sport utility vehicle.
  • Engine/motor: 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline with three electric motors; combined 196 hp.
  • Transmission: Continuously variable automatic with all-wheel drive.
  • Overall length: 14 feet 9 inches.
  • Height: 5 feet 5 inches.
  • EPA/SAE passenger/cargo volume: 89/22 cubic feet (40)
  • Weight: 3,435 pounds.
  • Towing capability: 1,500 pounds.
  • EPA city/highway/combined fuel consumption: 45/38/42 mpg.
  • Base price, including destination charge: $32,400.
  • Price as tested: $35,565.

Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided the vehicle used to conduct this test drive and review. Photos ©Toyota