40+ MPG Small SUVs start at under $25,000
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, a small five-passenger SUV, is well equipped with a starting price of $24,960. It’s hard to find a better car for those busy with city errands and daily driving.
Smooth acceleration and efficient performance
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is based on Toyota’s fifth generation hybrid system, which is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, 16-valve engine with two electric motors. The system generates 196 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque, which is sent to an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT), which can be controlled using paddle shifters. There are three driving modes for four-wheel drive: Eco, Power and EV. If you’re not familiar with a CVT, it’s an alternative to a traditional automatic transmission that doesn’t have gears. The CVT transmission seamlessly changes gear ratios based on the demand placed on the engine. The result is smoother acceleration and greater fuel efficiency.
Toyota’s hybrid system automatically switches between electric drive mode, a combined electric motor and gasoline engine, and gasoline-only engine power. Fuel economy for the Corolla Cross Hybrid is EPA-rated at 45 mpg city/38 highway/42 combined. The hybrid system works with the regular unleaded CVT transmission, and is designed to err on the side of fuel efficiency, not performance.
In 212 miles of driving through Orange and San Diego counties in Southern California, we averaged 42.2 mpg. On 25 miles of city road, we exceeded the EPA numbers and the Corolla Cross returned a very satisfactory 46.1 mpg.
For more performance
For livelier performance, such as merging into freeway traffic, choose the driver-selectable Power Mode setting where 0-60 times average 9.2 seconds, which sounds slow, but is adequate for freeway merging. Once in the traffic flow, the Eco mode was more than capable of cruising at highway speeds or higher. The engine was quiet at speeds above 65 mph, but under demanding acceleration it was loud and noisy. It towed well, especially when using the console-mounted gear selector or the steering wheel-mounted paddles to hold a “gear” that keeps engine rpm at a certain level allowing for more towing power.
The lithium-ion battery is charged through a regenerative charging system when braking or driving, and kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy and stored in the battery.
When driving the Corolla Cross Hybrid, select EV mode around town to force the car to run on electric power only (assuming the battery has the charge to do so). Driving range in pure electric mode is short, so it’s best to save battery drain for parking garages or late-night sneaks.
The 3,385-pound Corolla Cross Hybrid SE Nightshade Edition was well balanced and comfortable, but it shouldn’t be considered a sports car. The steering responded well to inputs and the ride was generally stable, but the suspension was soft and tuned for comfort. That means it soaked up most of the highway bumps and dips, but hard cornering should be left to the GR Corolla, which is designed to attack twisties and carve corners. If you’re interested in towing a light trailer, the weight limit is 1,500 pounds.
Stopping comes from Toyota’s electronically controlled braking system that includes regenerative control and power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution. The battery recharging process can be viewed on the dashboard gauge.
Distinctive exterior appearance
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid comes in three grades: S, SE, and XSE. The SE is also the basis for the Nightshade model we tested.
There’s a choice of six solid colors: Midnight Black, Wind Chill Pearl (additional cost of $425), Barcelona Red Metallic, Celeste, Blue Metallic, and Sonic Silver. Or you can choose four two-tone colours: Acidic Blast/Jet Black, Blue Crush Metallic/Jet Black, Sonic Silver/Jet Black and Barcelona Red Metallic/Jet Black, the color combination of the Corolla Cross Hybrid.
With a more rounded design than other Toyota SUVs, the front end is dominated by a large black grille bordered by slim LED headlights. There are crescent-shaped details on the doors, color-coded door handles and electric outside mirrors. The black B-pillars (to match the dark black roof) and 18-inch black-painted alloy wheels work well together.
The Nightshade Edition’s exterior gets special treatments of black badges, exterior door handles, black mirrors, an integrated rear lip spoiler as well as black headlights and taillights. It’s also equipped with a roof rack, but note: When the sunroof is open, the non-adjustable front cross rail vibrates and buzzes in the wind at highway speeds.
The rear features a short visor that sits above a slightly slanted rear window, then over the LED tail and brake lights.
Comfortable interior design
The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s interior is clean and basic. It is well equipped with features like push button start/stop and one-touch power windows. The gauges, housed on a 4.2-inch color multi-information display, are large and have white numbers on a black background for easy viewing. Visibility from all angles is good, but it is improved by lowering the rear seats so that the headrests are not visible. In the Nightshade version, the driver’s seat is 10-way power-adjustable and the passenger gets 4-way manual adjustments, but both are covered in SofTex. The rear seat, with a fold-down center armrest, splits 60:40 and folds almost flat.
The Nightshade Edition features a black and red cloth interior with red stitching, Qi wireless charging, a HomeLink frameless rearview mirror, and standard floor mats.
The three-spoke tilt, telescopic, leather-wrapped steering wheel has controls for audio, hands-free Bluetooth phone operation, voice recognition for controlling audio and other systems, and cruise control.
The centerpiece of the base Corolla Cross Hybrid is an 8-inch touchscreen that houses a standard six-speaker audio system on all three models. For the Nightshade Edition, the Tunes have been upgraded to JBL’s premium 9-speaker system that includes a subwoofer and subwoofer. Both audio systems run AM/FM/Sirius/XM HD radio with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
USB-C ports and a 120V/150A AC power port are located in the cargo area. There’s a Wi-Fi Connect subscription available that provides 4G connectivity for up to five devices – turning the Corolla Cross into an AT&T hotspot.
safety
The Corolla Cross Hybrid is equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as Pre-Collision Sensing with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Additional active and passive safety features include airbags, tire pressure monitoring system, collapsible steering column, anti-theft alarm, and engine immobilizer.
Pricing
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid comes in three grades with these base prices, which include a $1,350 delivery, processing and handling fee.
S$29,320 S$30,640 S$32,505
The price of the Corolla Cross SE Nightshade Edition we drove, including delivery, processing and handling fees, was $30,465. Adding in the $2,972 in additional equipment, the total comes to $34,787.
Guarantees
Battery hybrid – 10 years/150,000 miles Plug-in hybrid – Eight years/100,000 miles Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles Basic – Three years/36,000 miles Maintenance plan – Two years/25,000 miles Roadside assistance – Two years/unlimited miles
Reviews: Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid 2024
The Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling cars in the world, and Toyota is the largest seller of hybrid cars in the world. The first was done with the Corolla sedan, so with the popularity of SUVs, it made sense for Toyota to offer the Corolla Cross as a small hybrid SUV.
Built in Huntsville, Alabama, the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is an economical car to buy and drive. Whether commuting, city errands or even daily trips, your basic driving needs will be easily handled. Driving dynamics aren’t the reason to buy a Corolla Cross, but the practicality offered by the SUV’s body compared to a sedan as well as the higher ride height and all-wheel drive.
Competition includes, among others, the Volkswagen Taos (all-new for 2025), Chevrolet Trailblazer (refreshed for 2024), Mazda CX-30 (also all-new for 2025), Subaru Crosstrek, Honda HR-V, and Buick Encore G X. The Ford Bronco Sport, Chevrolet Trax, and Fiat 500X, but none of them are hybrids. One potential competitor, the Hyundai Kona, offers an all-electric version. (Our reviews are linked.) Toyota’s build quality, reliability and resale value are the added attractions of the Corolla Cross Hybrid.
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Story and photos by John Faulkner.
(See photo gallery on cleanfleetreport.com)
Disclosure
The Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, usually for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on driving the new vehicle for one week. For this reason, we do not address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events that highlight new vehicles or technologies. As part of these events, we may be offered free transportation, accommodation or meals. We do our best to provide our honest vehicle reviews and news regardless of these incentives.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer best-in-class fuel economy, which leads us to focus on electric vehicles, hybrids, hybrids, and other efficient engines. We also offer those gas-efficient vehicles that rank among the best mpg in their class. In addition, we aim to provide reviews and news about the advanced technology and alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are committed to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your opinions at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
Road test after test: The 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid SE Nightshade appeared first on Clean Fleet Report.
