Overview
Toyota has made the Corolla of SUVs with the 2023 Corolla Cross, which is both a blessing and a curse. The Cross features the nameplate’s signature affordability with an extra dose of practicality. Unfortunately, it also inherits the compact car’s forgettable driving character and meh performance. Its styling, though hardly memorable, at least skews toward the cute end of the spectrum, and the sportier trims add a little visual zest to the Corolla Cross’s curb appeal. The base engine is an anemic 169-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but an optional hybrid system adds three electric motors to boost the combined output to 196 ponies. The Corolla Cross straddles the narrow line between the smaller C-HR and the larger RAV4 in Toyota’s lineup and finds itself up against popular rivals such as the Jeep Compass. Unlike the Jeep, however, the Toyota comes standard with a bevy of driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
What’s New for 2023?
A new hybrid powertrain joins the lineup for 2023 and includes standard all-wheel drive. The Corolla Cross hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and three electric motors for a combined 196 horsepower. Three new trim levels—S, SE, and XSE—have been added and all models get an updated infotainment system with an 8.0-inch display.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We’d recommend going with the more powerful and more fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain. Of those models, the SE trim comes with a host of features to justify the upcharge, including tinted windows, roof rails, blind-spot monitoring, and paddle shifters. All-wheel drive is standard with the hybrid powertrain, too.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
All nonhybrid Corolla Cross models come with a 169-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission; front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available as an option. During our first test drive, we complained that acceleration was lazy and that the engine sounded buzzy, particularly at high revs. At our test track, our all-wheel-drive test vehicle delivered a 9.2-second 60-mph time. Sloths move quicker. The hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and three electric motors; all-wheel drive is standard on the hybrid and the powertrain makes a combined 196 horsepower. The result is a much perkier SUV–Toyota estimates an 8.0-second sprint to 60 mph. The hybrid model also features a slightly sportier suspension tune, but don’t expect GR Corolla levels of driving fun. We haven’t taken the hybrid model to our test track yet but when we do, we’ll update this story with test results.
More on the Corolla Cross SUV
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates that the front-wheel drive Corolla Cross is good for 31 mpg city and 33 mpg highway; going with an all-wheel drive model drops those figures to 29 and 32 respectively. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, the Corolla Cross missed its highway fuel-economy rating slightly and delivered 30 mpg. The hybrid model, unsurprisingly, is the more fuel-efficient of the two powertrains and is EPA-estimated at 45 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. For more information about the Corolla Cross’s fuel economy, visit