2024 Toyota Corolla Cross and Corolla Cross Hybrid Review: A Compelling Crossbreed

Other than pickup trucks, there is no car more in demand in the USA than an SUV. And when you're looking at one of the most popular body styles, it makes sense to look at one of the most dependable brands, too. The 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross is built on the bones of a top-selling sedan but offers more practicality and comfort, as well as excellent safety standards. However, the compact crossover segment has some very compelling rivals, too, such as the Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30. The regular gas models struggle to stand against them, but the hybrids, with 196 horsepower and better fuel economy, are definitely worth a closer look.

New for 2024

The new Toyota Corolla Cross SUV receives only minor changes, with the LE and XLE, and their hybrid variants, the SE and XSE, all getting Qi wireless charging.

2024 Toyota Corolla Cross and Corolla Cross Hybrid Price: Which One to Buy

When it comes to affordable crossovers, the Toyota Corolla Cross is one of the best, with a price of $23,610 for the base L or $25,940 for the LE. The top-tier gas model is the XLE and will cost you $27,835. From there, the model switches over to a hybrid with a new naming structure. The S is the entry point here at $27,970, with the SE asking for $29,290. Just below the top trim is a cosmetic special edition called the Nightshade, selling for $39,215, followed by the XSE, topping out at $31,155. The gasoline models can be upgraded to AWD for an extra $1,300, while the destination charge will set you back another $1,350.

Despite its position at the bottom of the ladder, the L is still great value for the money. It's practical, safe, and well-equipped. However, it is still lacking a few things shoppers want from their new vehicle. To bridge the gap, the LE adds a wireless smartphone charger, automatic climate control, and both blind-spot assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

Interior and Features

You’ll spot a few things borrowed from the Corolla sedan, but the interior is more spacious and can feel almost premium at the top end.

The interior space of the Corolla Cross looks awfully familiar, and that is because it is based on the extremely popular sedan of the same name. That's not to say that it's gorgeous or luxurious, but it does have character and a certain efficiency. It has a smartly positioned touchscreen high up on the dashboard with some large and easily accessible knobs and buttons below for most everyday features. The driver-info display is small at first, but it gets bigger as you upgrade. This is a cabin built to give you everything you need on a daily basis and stand the test of time.

Space

A key factor of any good SUV is practicality, and the Corolla Cross has a good deal of passenger space spread across two rows of seats. Unsurprisingly, those in the front get the lion's share, but even the second row should be accommodating for adults, though it is downright spacious for kids and teens. The dimensions of the crossover also ensure that there is a good amount of shoulder room in the back and elbow room in the front. Despite manual front seats coming standard, it isn't too hard to find a comfortable driving position, and overall visibility is excellent. Getting inside is aided by a high and straight roof, as well as a comfortable step-in.

Cargo

There is a Corolla in just about any body style, but the Cross has a pretty big trunk with either 21.5 or 24 cubic feet of space behind the back row, the latter figure being for the FWD configurations. With the rear seats folded down, there is just over 61 cubic feet available.

Small-item storage is also more than adequate, with a storage tray under the center console, four cupholders, an overhead console, four door pockets, and a sizeable cubby under the central armrest. The XLE and XSE add an extra two cupholders in the back.

Materials and Colors

There aren't a lot of colors to choose from, with the base-level L coming in Light Gray cloth upholstery. Black is added as an option in the LE. At the top tier, the upholstery is upgraded to SofTex, and Macadamia/Mocha replaces Light Gray. In the hybrid trims, the fabric choices are the same, but the Gray is a slightly darker shade for the lower trims. For the Nightshade, there are unique exterior and interior colors, but while the Red/Black combination looks good, the cloth upholstery is a bit of a disappointment for a special edition. The SofTex inside the XSE comes in Black with either Black or Blue mixed media inserts. There are some hard plastics around the cabin, but the top trims get some Satin finish trimming to make them pop.

Features and Infotainment

Toyota knows how to give its consumers great value, so the L and S come standard with manual air-con, a small 4.2-inch driver-information display, and a manually tilting/telescoping steering column. The infotainment comprises an eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, onboard Wi-Fi, and six speakers. The LE and SE add automatic climate control, a wireless phone charger, and illuminated vanity mirrors. At the top of the lineup for both models, dual-zone climate control, a ten-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, a larger seven-inch digital gauge cluster, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror are included as standard. A nine-speaker JBL sound system can be optioned on all but entry-level L or S versions.

Performance

The regular Corolla Cross can feel a little lethargic but the hybrid is punchy and backs this up with great fuel economy.

The Toyota Corolla Cross comes with either a gas engine or a hybrid one. For the L, LE, and XLE, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit makes 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. On the other hand, the S, SE, Nightshade, and XSE get a similar four-cylinder but with hybrid assistance for a combined 196 hp. Gas engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission that sends power to the front wheels, while hybrids get an eCVT and all-wheel drivetrain. The latter is optional for gas models.

Regardless of the powertrain in play, performance is middling, as it takes the Toyota Corolla Cross around eight seconds to go from 0-60 mph, or a second quicker with the hybrid. Top speed is rated at 112 mph. The car has good road manners, though handling won't wow anyone. Comfort is another matter, though, as the suspension eats up all but the biggest bumps. Road and wind noise can intrude on the cabin, and the CVT can drone when pushed.

Fuel Efficiency

Gas mileage primarily depends on the engine in play. The gas-powered Toyota Corolla Cross gets 31/33/32 mpg with FWD and 29/32/30 mpg with AWD, while the hybrid models manage a more impressive 45/38/42 mpg and AWD is always standard. Fuel capacity varies largely by model. Gas models with FWD have a 12.4-gallon tank, while AWD models make up for their slightly worse mpg with a 13.2-gallon tank. Hybrids have just 10.6 gallons of fuel but they can still travel 445 miles as opposed to the maximum 396 miles that gas models achieve.

Safety

Both the NHTSA and IIHS are impressed by the Corolla Cross, though the side crash tests are not perfect.

It's been a few years since the NHTSA performed a comprehensive safety review of the Toyota Corolla Cross, and for 2024 there is only partial results - four stars for frontal crash tests and five starts for the side crash. The most recent crash tests by the IIHS returned scores of Good in every category but only Acceptable for the updated side test. It still achieved a Top Safety Pick award for 2023, however.

Standard safety features include ABS, EBD, stability and traction control, and nine airbags. More advanced driver-assistance tech comprises a rearview camera, pre-collision assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane-trace assist, and road sign recognition. This suite is enhanced with a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and safe exit assist in the LE, while the XLE adds dynamic gridlines for the backup camera and both front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking.

Reliability

JD Power's consumer survey of the Toyota Corolla Cross showed that its reliability is rated at 77 out of 100, and the car has not been recalled so far this year. There were two separate recalls in 2023, both for failure of airbags to deploy.

The warranty for the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross covers basic repairs for three years/36,000 miles and powertrain issues for five years/60,000 miles. Hybrid components are covered for eight years of 100,000 miles, while the battery gets ten years with 150,000 miles.

Warranty

Design

While it may borrow a lot from the Corolla sedan, the Corolla Cross SUV is not the same handsome vehicle. Yes, there are many of the same tell-tale design cues, like the grille, but it isn't very large or bold. The LED headlights taper from wide on the outer edge to slim as they approach the grille, and LED fog lights lower down in the bumper for the XLE and XSE. These trims also boast LED daytime running lights. Hybrid models shake things up by moving the grille lower down and spreading it wider. Base models get 17-inch steel wheels, transformed to alloy on the LE, while the top-tier models boast 18-inch alloys.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross And Corolla Cross Hybrid A Good SUV?

If all you're after is a practical and safe family hauler, the 2024 Corolla Cross is a competent crossover. It's a bit humdrum, both in terms of performance and appearance, but it is packed with value, and the hybrid model can help make up for some of these shortcomings, even if it costs a bit more. However, there are some really compelling options out there that offer a far more balanced package. If you have your heart set on a Toyota, the hybrid Cross is a solid choice, but the gas-powered variant is too far behind the competition to be worth it.