New Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Satisfies in the Strangest of Ways
Some Strengths Were Expected on Test. Other Cross Hybrid Plusses Came as a Surprise
Toyota’s all-new Corolla Cross Hybrid is set to add a most interesting arrow to Toyota’s recently introduced petrol-electric entry crossover bow. The Hybrid is due imminently in the ‘States but it’s been around a month or three already in South Africa, where it has quickly climbed to the top of its market niche. And we were able to sneak a cool preview full road test.
Launched in both gasoline as it is available in the US, and, for the first time as a gas-electric Hybrid in the South African market, Cross carries the geneses of both those great Corolla and RAV4 badges into a car that’s set to effectively alter the motoring landscape. For very good reason too, as we discovered on test.
Cross Plugs a Vital Gap in Toyota’s Corolla Range
When it comes, the Hybrid will slot in below the RAV4 and above the Corolla Hatch as it shifts the Corolla badge squarely into crossover territory. Bold looking, if you morph a Corolla Hatch into a RAV4, Corolla Cross would sit in the middle frame of that clip. It’s a handsome car with many a cool styling accent.
Riding on Toyota’s TGNA Architecture to ensure fine ride quality, the Corolla Cross is a Bold and classy looking car that’s neither too flashy, nor too basic. Some may say its auto-leveling LED daytime running headlights are disproportionately oversized in comparison to the rest of the design. Others find that same aspect attractive.
Add LED tail lamps, power-retractable wing mirrors, automatic light control and Bridgestone 225/50/R18 tires on a neat set of alloys. Ours lacked the moonroof, but it had the roof rails.
Spacious Cabin Echoes Corolla Cousins
Access the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s dual-zone air-conditioned black leather cabin via the Smart Key System. Cross’ ergonomic and spacious inside and echoes its Corolla Hatch and Sedan siblings’ elegant and ergonomic style. With even better visibility out thanks to its extra height. Soft-touch materials, pleasant surfaces and double-stitched details abound.
Corolla Cross has one-touch power windows, there are rear-seat vents, four cupholders, stowage binnacles and a 12-volt power outlet. A gesture power liftgate accesses class-leading luggage capacity behind 60/40-fold down rear seats.
Settling behind the multifunction steering wheel, you’re confronted by an 8-inch TFT Multi-Information touchscreen. The system packs CarPlay and Auto mirroring, as well as USB and USB C ports. And a reverse camera to complement its park distance control. Our Cross had an optional 9-speaker JBL sound, which, in the US, is coupled to SiriusXM with 3-month Platinum Plan trial subscription.
Intuitive Infotainment is Getting On
The infotainment system is easy and quite intuitive to operate. But it does suffer from aging tech. That’s one area where some rivals catch this solution with its pants down.
The Corolla Cross Hybrid has a 96 HP 105 lb.-ft 1.8L 2ZR-FXE Atkinson cycle petrol engine. It’s joined at the hip with a 71 HP 47 lb.-ft electric motor in Toyota’s more compact yet more efficient latest generation Hybrid powertrain. With 121 HP total system output on tap, it delivers smooth and immediate acceleration response and near-silent driving in electric mode.
In other words, this hybrid car It harvests electric power while braking, coasting, and freewheeling. It stores that electric energy in a small but highly effective battery. The electric motor can drive the car under full battery power. It also boosts its petrol engine’s performance. You know, like a turbocharger? All of which improves fuel economy. By a third.
One-Third EV Means One-Third Savings
This effectively means that every third Corolla Cross Hybrid sold, represents one zero-emissions car on the road. So, selling 10,000 of these achieves the same ends as 3,000 EVs. Economy of Scale has never had it so good! Hybrid cars will however never be compromised by overloaded antiquated power grids and interrupted electricity supply.
And unlike far heavier battery-electric cars, hybrids need not wait for future local infrastructure before they will be able to operate at their best.
Of course, being borne out of Prius, which has sold a million units in 20 years, is another advantage. Toyota knows it can depend on its hybrids, which have also long been tried and tested across several platforms.
Chimes Enough to Make Mozart Famous
We are however confident that with a little practice to time it right, you’d probably be able to play a Mozart concerto with a chorus of Corolla Cross warning whistles, chimes and bells. It really is that bad! Enough already!
Fire it up with Push Button Start and Corolla Cross Hybrid is easy to drive. Refined in operation, ride is comfortable. And for the most part, quiet. Best of all, this hybrid adopts none of the feel and handling ills associated with excessively heavy BEVs.
But this Hybrid’s excellent handling proved its biggest surprise. Quite precise, and confidence-inspiring, there’s almost np body roll, thanks to a low center of gravity, beefed-up McPherson front and clearly well-fettled Torsion beam rear suspension. It makes for an engaging drive, and among the better of those promised surprises.
An Ever-Present Electric Bonus
There is a trade-off though. Driver feedback could be sharper. Corolla Cross is a tad wooden in feel and lacks a little connection with the driver. It’s no rocketship either, but then nor are any of its rivals particularly quick. There’s sufficient power. Not mind-blowing, but that ever-present electric bonus makes overtaking faster, easier, and dare we say, safer, too.
Fuel economy is good. Toyota reckons it will sip an average of 55 mpg of gasoline on a good day. In the real world, we maintained a quite satisfactory 39 mpg. That said, this car seems to prefer city driving.
Alas, there are a few downsides. There’s a touch of cheapness about the Corolla Cross, which raises its head from time to time. Ours had a few little rattles, and there’s a tinny sound of on shutting the door. And as with many other hybrid cars, it sounds a bit like a vacuum cleaner.
Very Well Safety Stacked
Corolla Cross is very well safety stacked. It has Vehicle Stability Control, ABS and EBD brakes and Hill Assist Control. There are driver, passenger, and side airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors, an anti-theft system and auto door-locking. But that’s not all. Full Toyota Safety Sense including Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Trace Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and a Pre-Collision System.
As an aside before we close. We have Corolla Cross sooner in South Africa thanks to Toyota SA’s dogged tenacity in proudly meeting its Durban plant’s production deadlines through lockdown. US gasoline-electric models will soon roll out of the Alabama factory.
A top gas Toyota Corolla Cross comes in at a sharp $ 27,625, while the South African hybrid adds just $1,500 premium to the price. So, we’d guess it will cost around 29 grand MSRP when it breaks cover there. So being, there’s no reason why it should not fly off US shelves too. All of which should make the US Toyota Corolla Cross just as mouthwatering a bargain SUV attraction as its African sibling.
A Third Off Your Gas Bill
The real advantage here, however, is that you should get the $1,500 premium a Corolla Cross Hybrid’s sticker adds to a regular petrol version, back in gas savings within 18 months of normal driving. After which you’ll pocket the third saving in gasoline for the rest of your Corolla Cross’ driving life. Think about that for a second!
An economical and practical family crossover that’s easy to drive and live with, and handles superbly, the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s biggest plus in the SA market, is its price. Should Toyota USA position it in a similar fashion, there’s no reason why you should not see a great many of them on American roads too once they arrive. Because over and above its several other strengths, this car’s exceptional value for money is probably its strongest suit.
Photos: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Engine: 96 HP 105 lb.-ft 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle petrol Total system output: 121 HP Drive: CVT FWD TESTED: 0-60 mph: 4.69 sec 1/4-mile: 17.5 sec @ 120 km/h 50-75 mph: 7.83 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 105 mph Fuel Average: 55 mpg
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