Friday, August 1, 2025

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid: The Corolla’s First Crossover

Highlight: The vehicle is being manufactured in Huntsville, Alabama.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $34,705 (Base MSRP): $29,845

Seating Capacity: 4

Standard Safety Equipment: a blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system; a rear cross traffic alert system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (Corolla Cross Hybrid):


Options: 9-speaker JBL audio system; power moonroof; premium paint color; and a two-tone paint exterior color

Other Trim Levels:

Non hybrid – gasoline only

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a xx-speaker Bose AM/FM audio system with SiriusXM

Android/Apple CarPlay: Yes

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Engine/Horsepower (Test Vehicle): 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder twin-power turbo engine/150-hp

Standard Fuel Mileage: 45-city/38-hwy (test model)

Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs



What’s New: The Corolla Cross gasoline and hybrid joined the Toyota portfolio in 2022 and 2023, respectively. New for this model year, Toyota is offering more vibrant colors. 

Why:

The hybrid offers better MPG than the gasoline model

Easy-to-maneuver

Stylish design

Outfitted with the latest safety driving aids

Power sunroof with sunshade

AWD

Comfortable seating

A manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel

Cloth seats only

SiriusXM available

Car-like ride

But:

Pricing overlaps with larger RAV4

Pricing should be less than $30,000

$4,000 difference between the base gasoline and base hybrid model

Hybrid available in an AWD configuration only

Loses many of the comfort features that could be available in a low mileage certified Lexus NX

No power driver’s seat

Toyota’s voice activated system is used to operate the infotainment system (doesn’t always understand voice controls)

Verdict: For those who ever imagine what one of Toyota’s all-time best-selling vehicles would look like if it was converted to a crossover, the Corolla Cross HV is the answer.

Toyota’s smallest crossover is available as a gasoline model. While the gasoline model is available in both a front wheel drive and an all-wheel drive configuration, the more fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain is only available in AWD configuration. At a starting price just shy of $30,000, the subcompact Corolla Cross is available in a variety of trims and offers the only hybrid in the segment.

While Toyota is taking advantage of the crossover craze with the Corolla Cross, rounding out its portfolio, pricing overlaps with the larger and ultra popular RAV4.

Non Hybrid Competition: Chevy Trax; Chevy Trailblazer; Honda HR-V; Hyundai Kona; Hyundai Venue; Jeep Compass; Kia Seltos; and VW Taos

Non Hybrid Premium Competition: Buick Envista and Buick Encore GX 

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