Flash Drive: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Flash Drive: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
40+ MPG Small SUV Beginning Beneath $30,000

The Toyota Corolla is likely one of the best-selling autos on the planet and Toyota is the most important vendor of hybrid autos on the planet. To maintain these lofty perches, sitting nonetheless is not going to do. So it was a logical step to supply the Corolla Cross as a hybrid small SUV in its second yr available on the market.
For 2023, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid joins its stablemate the Corolla Hybrid sedan that was new in 2021. With normal all-wheel drive this five-passenger small SUV might be a preferred automobile for these busy with every day in-town and commuting driving. Clear Fleet Report obtained an opportunity to pattern the mannequin at a latest media occasion in San Diego.
Clean Acceleration and Environment friendly Efficiency
The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is powered by Toyota’s fifth technology hybrid system. It combines a 2.0-liter, 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with two electrical motors for a complete system 196 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. Energy is directed by way of an electronically repeatedly variable computerized transmission (eCVT) with paddle shifters, driving all 4 wheels with three driving modes of Eco, Energy and EV.

Toyota’s hybrid routinely switches between the electrical drive mode, mixed electrical motor and gasoline engine, and gasoline-only engine energy. It was noticeable when the gasoline engine engaged, which is one thing the Toyota hybrid system normally does to not. Gas economic system for the Corolla Cross Hybrid is rated at 45 mpg metropolis/38 freeway with a mixed common of 42. Operating on common unleaded, the hybrid system is designed to err on the aspect of gasoline effectivity.
For extra spirited efficiency, reminiscent of merging into freeway visitors, go for the driver-selectable Energy mode setting. Toyota charges the 0-60 time at eight seconds which is enough for freeway merging. As soon as within the visitors move, Eco was greater than succesful for cruising at-or-above freeway speeds. The engine was quiet at freeway speeds, however below demanding acceleration it was buzzy and felt prefer it was laboring.
Battery and Brakes
The lithium-ion battery is charged when making use of the brakes or coasting by the regenerative charging system that converts kinetic vitality into electrical vitality and shops it within the battery. The recharging course of will be considered on a splash gauge.

When driving the Corolla Cross Hybrid in EV mode, primarily round city, it forces the automobile to run solely on electrical energy. The driving vary in pure electrical mode is brief, so greatest save that battery juice for parking garages or sneaking in late at night time.
The three,430-pound Corolla Cross Hybrid is effectively balanced and comfy however shouldn’t be thought-about a sporty automobile. The steering is responsive with a secure and managed experience that absorbed most freeway bumps and dips. If excited about towing a lightweight trailer, the utmost weight is 1,500 kilos.
Stopping comes from Toyota’s electronically managed brake system that includes regenerative management and power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and digital brake drive distribution.
Distinct Exterior
The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is available in three grades of S, SE and XSE. There’s a selection of eight colours—Jet Black Mica, Cypress, Celestite, Wind Chill Pearl (with a $425 added price) and Sonic Silver Metallic, Barcelona Purple Metallic, Blue Crush Metallic and Acidic Blast. The final 4 have a contrasting black roof. Clear Fleet Report, at a media occasion in San Diego, drove a completely optioned XSE painted within the eye-catching Acidic Blast with the Black roof. There isn’t a hiding when driving round on this colour!

With a extra rounded fashion than different Toyota SUVs, the entrance finish is dominated by a big black grille bordered by slim LED headlights. There are crescent-shaped particulars on the doorways, color-keyed door handles and energy exterior mirrors. Black B-pillars (to match the black roof) and 18-inch black machined alloy wheels labored effectively collectively.
The sweptback windshield results in the roof with rack rails, energy sunroof and a black shark fin antenna. A brief visor sits above a evenly raked rear window. LED tail and stoplights end off the rear.
Snug Inside
The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid inside is clear and primary, well-equipped with options reminiscent of push button begin/cease and one-touch energy home windows. The gauges are giant and have white numbers on a black background for simple viewing. Visibility from all angles is great. The motive force seat is energy adjustable and the passenger guide, however each have been heated and lined in SofTex. The rear seat, with a folding middle armrest, splits 60/40 and folds almost flat.

The lean and telescopic three-spoke steering wheel has controls for audio, hands-free Bluetooth phone operation, voice recognition to manage audio and different techniques and cruise management.
The centerpiece of the Corolla Cross Hybrid is the 8-inch touchscreen rising from the sprint. Right here you’ll discover controls for the 8-speaker AM/FM/Sirius/XM HD radio with wi-fi 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. An enormous thanks to Toyota for having quantity and channel choice knobs.
Security
The Corolla Cross Hybrid is supplied with superior driver help techniques (ADAS), reminiscent of pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, and a blind spot monitor with rear cross visitors alert. Further energetic and passive security options embrace air baggage, a tire strain monitoring system, collapsible steering column, anti-theft alarm and an engine immobilizer.
Pricing and Warranties
The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is available in three grades with these base costs, which embrace the $1,335 necessary supply, processing and dealing with charge.
S | $29,970 |
SE | $30,625 |
XSE | $32,400 |
The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid comes with these warranties.
- Hybrid Battery – 10 years/150,000 miles
- Hybrid Elements – Eight years/100,000 miles
- Powertrain – 5 years/60,000 miles
- Primary – Three years/36,000 miles
- Upkeep Plan – Two years/25,000 miles
- Roadside Help – Two years/25,000 miles
Observations: 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

For Toyota so as to add a hybrid system to the Corolla in all of its mannequin extensions was in all probability inevitable. It ought to make sure the Corolla, one of many best-selling autos on the planet, will preserve its management place.
Inbuilt Huntsville, Alabama the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is a cost-effective automobile to purchase and drive. Primary driving wants—commuting, in-town errands and even day journeys—might be simply dealt with with a most of electrical driving.
The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s aggressive worth consists of the usual security and comfort options, in addition to Toyota’s vaunted construct high quality, reliability and resale worth.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photographs by John Faulkner and Toyota.
Disclosure:
Clear Fleet Report is loaned free check autos from automakers to guage, usually for per week at a time. Our street checks are primarily based on this one-week drive of a brand new automobile. Due to this we don’t handle points reminiscent of long-term reliability or complete price of possession. As well as, we are sometimes invited to producer occasions highlighting new autos or know-how. As a part of these occasions we could also be provided free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our greatest to current our unvarnished evaluations of autos and information irrespective of those inducements.
Our focus is on autos that provide the perfect gasoline economic system of their class, which leads us to emphasise electrical vehicles, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We additionally characteristic these environment friendly gas-powered autos which are among the many prime mpg autos of their class. As well as, we intention to supply evaluations and information on superior know-how and the choice gasoline automobile market. We welcome any suggestions from automobile homeowners and are devoted to offering a discussion board for different viewpoints. Please tell us your views at [email protected].