This hybrid hits a lot of marks. I like it’s compact size, and the increased power is a plus too. I can see this vehicle being used by couples, empty nesters and very small families. That being said I feel like the interior could’ve been designed to accommodate more storage spaces, especially in the front driver and passenger area. In addition, I sat inside of the Corolla Cross gas version and I felt like the hood of the car was very high relative to the driving position, it kinda obstructed my view a bit. (I’m 5’10 btw)
Drew aka Jim Cantore, why aren't hybrids more popular? It seems a good choice to all electric. Some manufacturers ignored hybrid altogether. Great review guys. Terry
Thanks! I think it comes down to some manufacturers betting on going straight to EVs. Unlike Toyota, they never invested in hybrids much in the past. Also, availability and price premium play a role.
All Toyota Cross reviews have been positive and the Toyota Corolla Cross perhaps the best in the segment. My daughter bought one and couldn’t be happier.
The Cross is the perfect size. But, at that price, I would expect a little nicer interior finish and sound deadening. Although a different body style, the Lexus UX with premium trim is only 4-5K$ more and it is a much nicer vehicle. For urban empty nesters, it would need have better finishing details to make it a true contender. However, at lower trim levels seems to be a pretty good value.
In Canada, difference between XLE and Hybrid XSE is only $2K which makes it almost a no-brainer to choose the Hybrid XSE over XLE. Also, Hybrid XSE has a few extra features such as: paddle shifter, 8-way power adjustable driver seat, heated leather steering wheel. Biggest issue with Hybrid vehicle is inventory and waiting time. Waiting time for an XLE would be a few months while the Hybrid XSE would take 1.5 - 2 years to arrive. Crazy time.
Beautiful car but I cannot stand the seats. I really don’t like any SE/XSE mixed media seats. I think they should really just be full cloth or full leather(ette) but the cloth and leatherette seats with the stripes is very unattractive. Great review!
Great review as always. This car appeals to me for all the good things you pointed out. Frankly, I could use a sedan at my (middle) age, but there are taller-than-necessary speedbumps on road that I have to travel and I need the extra clearance. The hybrid Corolla Cross checks all the boxes, but the one warning light that keeps me away is the subscription service. I like knowing that if I buy a car, I am buying all its features, not borrowing them for while, even when the car itself is paid off.
I would prefer a spare tire to the spare-tire sized piece of Styrofoam. Also, if Toyota is unable to engineer a flat load floor, at least provide a second position the rear floor panel can sit on to make a level floor.
Thank you for doing the measurement from the passenger seat back to the hatch, I was wondering if my snowboard would fit in this space. I have ordered an se in Quebec but of course haven't seen one in person yet.
Toyota really needs to update their infotainment centers and gauge clusters. They somehow still look straight out of 2018. Massive bezels just really make the infotainment screen look out of date. 8 inch touchscreen? Main competitors are getting 10 or even 12+ inch displays at this point. Also, something about the heated seat switches just looks really cheap lol. I do like the design of the car, but it needs some interior polish right out of the gate.
An OK appliance but not for me. A boring, almost ugly interior, pretty noisy on the road, no spare tire, wheel spin despite AWD, and overpriced. Mazda CX-30 2.5 and Kia Seltos 1.6T are better value in my view. Most people rave about Toyota reliability but their are generally soulless.
I really dislike Softex, or vegan leather, or leatherette, they're just the latest trend names for faux leather, pleather, plastic leather, PU. It's vinyl, not leather. It doesn't have the feel or durability of real leather, which is what Toyota should've used in at least the XSE.
Honda, Nissan wake up! The HRV and Quashqai needs a min 170 HP bump. KIA Niro has what 185 HP and the Here.yundai Kona N Line up there. These are not your moms CUV.
WTH is going on with the front-end design of this vehicle? It's bad. It's so, so bad. The rest of the design is pretty attractive but is outclassed by many other small CUVs. I'm sure it's going to be reliable and last forever, but do I really want to pay the "Toyota tax" to be stuck with an ugly vehicle for a long time? Not really.
Tesla Model Y seems more lucrative at below $40k (assuming you can get a $7,500 tax rebate) since with dealer markups the Corolla Cross Hybrid will be close to $40k.
