40+ MPG Small SUV Beginning Beneath $25,000
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, a five-passenger small SUV, is properly geared up at a low beginning worth of $24,960. It’s laborious to discover a higher automotive for these busy with day by day in-town errand and commute driving.
Easy Acceleration and Environment friendly Efficiency
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is powered by Toyota’s fifth era hybrid system of a 2.0-liter, 16-valve 4-cylinder engine mixed with the 2 electrical motors. The system brings 196 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque, which is shipped to an electronically constantly variable automated transmission (eCVT), which will be managed with paddle shifters. Driving all 4 wheels there are three driving modes of Eco, Energy and EV. In case you are not acquainted with a CVT it’s a substitute for a standard automated transmission that has no gears. A CVT seamlessly modifications via “gear ratios” based mostly on the demand placed on the engine. The consequence—a drive with clean acceleration and elevated gasoline effectivity.
Toyota’s hybrid mechanically switches between the electrical drive mode, mixed electrical motor and gasoline engine, and gasoline-only engine energy. Gas economic system for the Corolla Cross Hybrid is EPA rated at 45 mpg metropolis/38 freeway/42 mixed. Operating on common unleaded, the hybrid system together with the CVT are designed to err on the facet of gasoline effectivity and never efficiency.
In 212 miles driving via Orange and San Diego Counties in Southern California we averaged 42.2 mpg. On a 25-mile all-city metropolis route we exceed the EPA numbers and the Corolla Cross returned a really satisfying 46.1 mpg.
For Extra Efficiency
For extra spirited efficiency, equivalent to merging into freeway site visitors, go for the driver-selectable Energy mode setting the place 0-60 instances averaged 9.2 seconds, which feels sluggish, however is ample for freeway merging. As soon as within the site visitors circulation, Eco mode was greater than succesful for cruising at-or-above freeway speeds. The engine was quiet at 65+ mph, however when underneath demanding acceleration it was buzzy and loud. It pulled effectively, particularly when utilizing the console-mounted gear selector or the steering wheel-mounted paddles to carry a “gear” that saved the rpm at a sure degree permitting for extra pulling energy.
The lithium-Ion battery is charged by the regenerative charging system when making use of the brakes or coasting, changing kinetic vitality into electrical vitality and storing it within the battery.
When driving the Corolla Cross Hybrid, choose the EV mode round city to pressure the automotive to run solely on electrical energy (assuming the battery has a cost to take action). The driving vary in pure electrical mode is brief, so it’s finest to avoid wasting that battery juice for parking garages or sneaking in late at evening.
The three,385-pound Corolla Cross Hybrid SE Nightshade Version we drove was well-balanced and cozy, however shouldn’t be thought of a sporty automotive. The steering responded effectively to enter and the experience was usually steady, however the suspension was gentle and tuned for consolation. Meaning it absorbed most freeway bumps and dips, however cornering laborious needs to be left to the GR Corolla that’s designed to assault twisties and carve corners. If inquisitive 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 pressure distribution. The battery recharging course of will be considered on a touch gauge.
Distinct Exterior
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is available in three grades—S, SE and XSE. The SE can also be the bottom for the Nightshade trim we examined.
There’s a selection of six strong colours: Jet Black, Wind Chill Pearl ($425 additional value), Barcelona Crimson Metallic, Celeste, Blue Crush Metallic and Sonic Silver. Or you may select 4 two-tones of Acidic Blast/Jet Black, Blue Crush Metallic/Jet Black, Sonic Silver/Jet Black, and Barcelona Crimson Metallic/Jet Black, which was the colour mixture of our Corolla Cross Hybrid.
With a extra rounded model than different Toyota SUVs, the entrance finish is dominated by a big black grille bordered by slim LED headlights. There are crescent formed particulars on the doorways, color-keyed door handles and energy exterior mirrors. The Black B-pillars (to match our Jet Black roof) and 18-inch black-painted machined alloy wheels labored effectively collectively.
The Nightshade Version exterior will get particular remedies of blacked-out badges, black outdoors door handles and mirrors and an built-in rear lip spoiler together with black accented head and taillights. It additionally is provided with a roof rack, however notice: When the sunroof is open, the non-adjustable entrance cross rail vibrates and hums from the wind at freeway speeds.
The rear includes a quick visor sitting above a evenly raked sloping rear window, then onto the LED tail and brakelights.
Snug Inside
The Corolla Cross Hybrid inside is clear and primary. It’s well-equipped with options equivalent to push button begin/cease and one-touch energy home windows. The gauges, set within the 4.2-inch shade multi-information show, are giant and have white numbers on a black background for simple viewing. Visibility from all angles is nice, however made higher by reducing the rear seats so the headrests should not seen. On the Nightshade Version, the motive force seat is 10-way energy adjustable and the passenger will get a 4-way guide changes, however each had been lined in SofTex. The rear seat, with a folding heart armrest, splits 60:40 and folds almost flat.
The Nightshade Version will get a black and pink material inside with pink accent stitching, Qi wi-fi charging, a frameless HomeLink rearview mirror and commonplace carpet ground mats.
The lean and telescopic, leather-trimmed, three-spoke steering wheel has controls for audio, hands-free Bluetooth phone operation, voice recognition to manage audio and different methods, and cruise management.
The centerpiece of the bottom Corolla Cross Hybrid is the 8-inch touchscreen that homes a 6-speaker commonplace sound system on all three trims. For the Nightshade Version the tunes are upgraded to a 9-speaker JBL premium system that features a subwoofer and an amplifier. Each sound methods play AM/FM/Sirius/XM HD radio with wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
There are USB-C ports and a 120V/150A AC energy outlet within the cargo space. There may be an obtainable Wi-Fi Join subscription that provides 4G connectivity for as much as 5 units—turning the Corolla Cross into an AT&T Hotspot.
Security
The Corolla Cross Hybrid is provided with superior driver help methods (ADAS), equivalent to pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, and a blind spot monitor with rear cross site 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
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is available in three grades with these base costs, which embrace the $1,350 supply, processing and dealing with payment.
- S $29,320
- SE $30,640
- XSE $32,505
The Corolla Cross SE Nightshade Version we drove, together with the supply, processing and dealing with payment had a base worth of $30,465. Including-in the extra tools of $2,972, the whole got here to $34,787.
Warranties
- Hybrid Battery – 10 years/150,000 miles
- Hybrid Elements – Eight years/100,000 miles
- Powertrain – 5 years/60,000 miles
- Fundamental – Three years/36,000 miles
- Upkeep Plan – Two years/25,000 miles
- Roadside Help – Two years/limitless miles
Observations: 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
The Toyota Corolla is without doubt one of the best-selling autos on this planet, and Toyota is the biggest vendor of hybrid autos on this planet. The previous was completed with a Corolla sedan, so with SUVs being so standard it made sense for Toyota to supply the Corolla Cross as a hybrid small SUV.
In-built Huntsville, Alabama, the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is a cheap car to purchase and drive. Fundamental driving wants, whether or not commuting, in-town errands and even day journeys, will probably be simply dealt with. Driving dynamics should not why you purchase the Corolla Cross, however the practicality the SUV physique provides over the sedan in addition to the next experience peak and all-wheel drive.
The competitors contains, amongst others, the Volkswagen Taos (all-new for 2025), Chevrolet Trailblazer (refreshed for 2024), Mazda CX-30 (additionally all-new for 2025), Subaru Crosstrek, Honda HR-V, Buick Encore GX, Ford Bronco Sport, Chevrolet Trax and Fiat 500X, however none of them are hybrids. One potential competitor, the Hyundai Kona, does supply and all-electric model. (Our critiques are linked.) Toyota’s vaunted construct high quality, reliability and resale worth are added sights to the Corolla Cross Hybrid.
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Story and photographs by John Faulkner.
Disclosure
Clear Fleet Report is loaned free take a look at autos from automakers to judge, sometimes for every week at a time. Our highway exams are based mostly on this one-week drive of a brand new car. Due to this we don’t handle points equivalent to long-term reliability or whole value 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 supplied 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 different environment friendly powertrains. We additionally characteristic these environment friendly gas-powered autos which are among the many high mpg autos of their class. As well as, we purpose to supply critiques and information on superior know-how and the choice gasoline car market. We welcome any suggestions from car homeowners and are devoted to offering a discussion board for different viewpoints. Please tell us your views at [email protected].
