The Corolla Cross is kind of a bizarre mannequin within the Toyota Lineup. It’s not precisely a Corolla hatchback with raised suspension but it surely’s not precisely a smaller model of the Toyota RAV4, ether – two issues that actually stop cannibalization within the lineup. With a novel mix of styling borrowed from the Corolla, RAV4, the Highlander, the Corolla Cross has its personal character however below the pores and skin it shares numerous mechanicals with the Corolla hatchback. This implies that it naturally carries alongside the identical legacy because the Corolla it’s in the end derived from, so you possibly can count on the standard reliability, effectivity, and all-around good manners for day by day use.

With that in thoughts, the Corolla Cross is basically geared toward attracting a brand new, youthful consumer base in addition to younger households that want one thing a bit of larger than a sedan however nonetheless need to keep within the sub-compact section. With an entry value of only a hair over $25,000 and accessible AWD, this is among the most affordable sub-compacts in the segment.

What’s New For 2024

The Toyota Corolla Cross was launched for the 2022 mannequin yr within the United States, and to date, it has modified little or no. The solely replace for 2024 is an up to date Qi wi-fi charger within the LE and XLE trim ranges. This is following an up to date 8.0-inch infotainment system that was added for the 2023 mannequin yr.

Highlights

• Standard 8.0-inch infotainment system
• Plenty of bodily knobs and buttons for the analog crew
• A toned down however nonetheless attention-grabbing cabin
• Available 7-inch digital instrument cluster
• Optional JBL 9-speaker premium audio system
• Long checklist of ordinary security options

Exterior Dimensions

Engine Specifications And Performance

The Toyota Corolla Cross is offered with only one engine choice – a 2.0-liter inline-four with 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. This engine is mated solely to Toyota CVT transmission, which to date has a status for being one of many higher CVT models available on the market. Power is shipped to the entrance wheels by default, and whereas the Corolla Cross is offered with AWD, you possibly can solely have it when you purchase the range-topping, non-hybrid Cross XLE or transfer as much as the hybrid trim ranges, wherein case AWD comes commonplace. As of the time of this writing, AWD shouldn’t be even an choice on the L lor LE trim ranges.

There are additionally a number of hybrid trim ranges of the Corolla Cross, all of that are powered by the identical 2.0-liter inline 4. In this case, nevertheless, the transmission is an ECVT with a built-in electrical motor. In these fashions, energy output is a extra respectable 196 horsepower. Even the bottom Corolla Cross Hybrid S comes with AWD as commonplace.

Fuel Economy

Like the Corolla it’s primarily based on, the Corolla Cross is comparatively environment friendly for what it’s. Non-hybrids can manage 30-32 mpg combined, however the hybrid fashions are good for as a lot as 42 MPG mixed or 45 MPG throughout metropolis driving due to the hybrid system.

Off-Road Capability And Towing

Toyota did inject the Cross with a touch of off-roading functionality, but it surely’s not meant for doing something too wild. The Corolla Cross can maintain its personal off the crushed path and even down some less-than-stellar forest roads, however even then you definitely nonetheless must have the AWD mannequin. If you propose to do something past this off the asphalt, you could need to take into account shifting as much as the extra succesful RAV4.

In phrases of towing functionality, you could be stunned to know that, when correctly geared up, the Corolla Cross has a towing capability of 1,500 kilos, which isn’t dangerous for a crossover this dimension. This specification holds true for each hybrid and non-hybrid fashions.

Interior Technology And Comfort

Best Interior Features

• Functional, comfy cabin
• Decent base infotainment system
• Available digital gauge cluster
• Nice inside supplies on XLE trim
• Good cargo capability

The inside of the Corolla Cross is nearly equivalent to that of the Corolla sedan, and certainly numerous elements carried over, although the cabin has extra passenger house on the whole. You’d be arduous pressed to identify something not carried over, together with the dashboard and inside supplies. The entrance of the cabin is mostly the identical dimension because the sedan, although the rear passenger space is a little more spacious, one thing that’s actually commendable for a sub-compact crossover.

With the Corolla Cross being decrease on the reasonably priced scale, the bottom mannequin has loads of plastic supplies, although they don’t actually come off as low-cost. The material seats additionally exhibit the standard you’d count on from Toyota. He XLE mannequin actually kicks issues up a notch, although, with issues like fake leather-based seats, leather-wrapped shift knob, rear arm relaxation, heater entrance seats, and some different niceties.

Technology

The Corolla Cross isn’t precisely a tech-heavy car, but it surely does come commonplace with an eight-inch multimedia infotainment system with 6 audio system and built-in Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Beyond this, non-safety know-how is virtually non-existent, although from the LE trim up you possibly can go for the 9-speaker JBL audio system with a subwoofer and amplifier.

The XLE mannequin does include a number of extras which you could get within the base mannequin, together with an auto-dimming rear view mirror, ambient lighting, 4 USB-C charging retailers, and a seven-inch totally digital gauge cluster. The LE mannequin does include the QI-compatible wi-fi charger and entrance automated local weather management, nevertheless, so even shifting past the bottom mannequin offers you a bit additional when it comes to facilities.

Interior Dimensions

Safety And Reliability

The Toyota Corolla Cross fall into the very reasonably priced class, however even the $23,980 base mannequin L comes with almost every bit of security tools that Toyota gives within the lineup. The spotlight is, after all, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, however you additionally get different issues just like the Star Safety System (the same old stability management, traction management, and lively brake distribution, hill begin help, and a backup digital camera.

TSS 3.0 Features

• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
• Proactive driving assistant
• Dynamic cruise radar management
• Lane departure alert with steering help
• Auto excessive beams
• Lane tracing help
• Road signal help

As far because the NHTSA is worried, the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross doesn’t have an overall safety rating, however that’s as a result of it hasn’t gone by rollover testing fairly but. It has been examined for entrance crash security, wherein it earned 4 begins general with entrance driver facet and entrance passenger facet carrying the identical ranking. It did ace the facet crash ranking, nevertheless, with five-star scores throughout the board for entrance and rear passengers on each side of the car.

IIHS crash testing revealed that the Corolla Cross is kind of protected with preliminary testing bringing “Good” ratings (the best you can get) across the board. During up to date entrance overlap and facet crash testing procedures, nevertheless, it acquired solely “Acceptable” scores. Despite this, the Corolla Cross was awarded a Top Safety Pick Award in 2023 for the 2024 mannequin yr.

IIHS Crash Test Video

Warranties

The Toyota Corolla Cross comes with a reasonably commonplace fundamental guarantee – the standard 36 months/36,000 miles. There’s additionally a 60-month powertrain, corrosion, and restraint system guarantee. The Hybrid fashions additionally embody a 96-month hybrid system guarantee and a 120-month hybrid battery guarantee.

2024 Toyota Cross Versus Its Competitors

The sub-compact crossover section isn’t precisely sluggish shifting. In reality, due to the affordability side of small crossover, it’s a very popular section. As such, the Corolla Cross is pressured to compete in opposition to extra fashions than you possibly can depend on two fingers. That being the case, we’re going to give attention to two of its hardest opponents, each of that are constructed by corporations that come straight from the land of the rising solar: the Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-30.

How the Toyota Corolla Cross Compares To The Honda HR-V

Like most subcompact SUVs, the Honda HR-V serves because the gateway to Honda’s crossover lineup. It may not be the most effective geared up crossover on the planet, or one which offers you a cut-throat driving expertise, however it is comfortable and does a great job of getting you and the family from point A to point B every day. The exterior design of the HR-V can also be fairly trendy and extra according to what you’d count on from a crossover twice its value, although it does have it’s personal set of drawbacks.

Like the Corolla Cross, the HR-V is simply supplied with one powertrain, on this case a 2.0-liter inline-four that makes 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. You can have FWD or AWD, and also you’ll stand up to 32 mpg in gasoline financial system, however there’s no potential for towing – placing it behind the Corolla Cross, which may tow 1,500 kilos. A CVT transmission can also be the one choice right here, however it’s arguably among the best within the enterprise, so it’s not essentially a deal breaker. All instructed, the HR-V does honor Honda’s legacy of reliability with a JD Power, consumer-verified rating of 83/100. Pricing for the HR-V begins at $24,600 and maxes out at $28,150.

How The Toyota Corolla Cross Compares To The Mazda CX-30

Despite having an analogous entry-level value to different sub-compact crossovers just like the Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V, the Mazda CX-30 really sets a standard in terms of what an affordable premium vehicle should be. Now, this isn’t as much as par with say Audi or BMW, but it surely’s very shut with nice, sturdy supplies on the within, respectable tech, and sufficient house to cater to small households that don’t have to hold round a ton of luggage in all places they go.

Essentially a raised Mazda 3 at coronary heart, the CX-30 offers the same sporty driving characteristics you’d count on from every other Mazda, and it has the powertrain choices to take advantage of out of its tuned chassis. The 2.5-liter engine is available in naturally aspirated or turbocharged kind and is sweet for 191 – 250 horsepower and 186-320 pound-feet of torque, placing it effectively forward of opponents just like the Corolla Cross. It can tow as much as 1,500 kilos as effectively, and it has a standard six-speed automated transmission to go together with commonplace AWD throughout the lineup. Pricing for the Mazda CX-30 begins at $24,995 and climbs to as excessive as $36,800.

Toyota Corolla Cross Pricing And Trim Levels

In non-hybrid kind, the Toyota Corolla Cross is offered in three trim ranges: L, LE, and XLE. Pricing ranges from $23,860 to $28,085. The hybrid fashions function an extension to the lineup with a complete of 4 different trims accessible beginning with the Hybrid S, and shifting on to the Hybrid SE, Hybrid Nightshade, and Hybrid XSE. Pricing for the hybrid fashions ranges from $28,220 to $31,405. AWD is commonplace throughout the hybrid lineup, however solely the XLE within the gas-only vary may be geared up with AWD.

Is It Worth It To Buy A Toyota Corolla Cross?

The Toyota Crolla Cross is priced very competitively with its fundamental opponents, and it’s largest claims to fame are the Corolla identify, the flexibility to tow, and the general comfy cabin. If you’re somebody who likes numerous tech, extra energy, and a sportier driving dynamic, you could be higher off with one thing just like the Mazda CX-30. The Corolla Cross’ reliability is on par with that of the HR-V as is the pricing. Our greatest suggestion could be to check drive the Corolla Cross, Mazda CX-30, and Honda HR-V to see which one fits your driving fashion higher, as all of them supply their very own distinctive expertise behind the wheel.

In phrases of which Corolla Cross is best, we discover that the Hybrid S is basically the candy spot. It comes commonplace with AWD, it’s almost the identical value because the range-topping, gas-only XLE, and you may profit from as a lot as 45 mpg when pushed correctly. With fashions just like the CX-30 and HR-V not accessible as hybrid, this hybrid powertrain, regardless of the CVT transmission, is an enormous promoting level. The gasoline financial savings alone – particularly when you do numerous driving – can go a great distance towards getting the most effective bang in your buck.