2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Consumer Review
My job, on most days, is trying to help consumers navigate the muddy waters of the automotive landscape. Everyone has different needs, tastes, and priorities. At AutoGuide, we put ourselves in the proverbial other person’s shoes to assess every new car, truck, and SUV we drive.
This week the shoe is on the other foot. I'm now the consumer as the vehicle in for evaluation centers around replacing our household’s primary family car. Our lease is up soon, and it’s time for a new family steed.
Currently we have a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited that my wife drives 90% of the time. Since it is her primary vehicle, she is the one doing the evaluating this week. I get to sit back, takes notes, and transcribe her findings.
She has made a short list of vehicles that are in top consideration for replacing our small SUV, and one of those finalists is the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. Not straying from our current market segment, we grabbed a fully loaded XSE AWD model to evaluate over a week.
Quick Take
Instead of evaluating vehicles for others, this week it’s personal. It’s time to replace the family hauler. With my wife being the primary driver, she will be spearheading the process, testing out her shortlist of finalists. First up is the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE AWD.
With a smooth ride, plenty of power, amazing fuel economy, and easy maneuverability, there is a lot to like about the small SUV. But there are drawbacks too. A comfortable seating position was never found, the interior feels downmarket, and there were some technical glitches. A great vehicle for long distance commuters, it may not quite fit our current needs.
Exterior Style:
Although it has the Corolla nameplate on the back, this baby Toyota SUV has more RAV4 styling than anything else. It has a simple, yet appealing boxy design, looking more SUV than crossover when compared to many in the segment.
Our tester, being the XSE, features a unique grille, upgraded headlights and taillights, as well as LED fog lights. This particular Corolla Cross Hybrid also includes the optional extra cost two-tone roof.
Powertrain and Fuel Economy:
Under the hood remains a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a set of electric motors, making a combined 196 total system horsepower. For this class, that’s plenty, surpassed by very few competitors. The eCVT sends power to the front wheels, while the electric motor in the rear adds traction to the back wheels when needed.
My wife found the power delivery smooth and linear. The transition from hybrid to gas is seamless and for the most part, keeps the somewhat buzzy engine at lower rpms.
The most impressive stat though, centers around fuel economy. Even with above average power for the segment, nothing can touch the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s 45 mpg (5.2 L/100 km) city and 38 mpg (6.1 L/100 km) highway fuel ratings. During our week with the vehicle, we weren’t too far off these figures.
Handling and Drivability:
As mentioned above, the Corolla Cross Hybrid has what Toyota refers to as Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive. Our test week with the vehicle occurred during the drought plaguing much of the North American mid-east, so we didn’t get to test the system. In my previous experience, it works well enough in snowy conditions, when equipped with proper tires.
The hybrid gains about 300 pounds over the gas model, with a curb weight of 3,373 pounds (1,530 kg). The XSE trim has a sport-tuned suspension, but neither of us would consider the vehicle particularly sporty. It drives predictably and responding to inputs as intended. She found it easy to park and maneuver around in mall lots, but hadn't fully got use to the driving characteristics after a week.
Competitors
Ride Quality and Comfort:
Despite the aforementioned sport tuned suspension, the Corolla Cross Hybrid offers great comfort and a smooth ride. For the class, the vehicle feels a step above in terms of chassis tuning.
Inside, it wasn’t quite the same story, as she couldn’t get an optimal comfortable seating position, even with the 10-way power seat. The pedals felt too far away while the steering wheel was too close. As well, the window belt line felt too high, even with the seat raised.
As far as creature comforts go, the heated steering wheel, heated seats, and dual-zone climate control are all appreciated. The cargo hold offers really good, usable space, even if the hybrid loses a bit of capacity, with 21.5 cubic feet (609 L) trunk. Best of all, it’s one of the few SUVs in this class to offer a power lift gate.
Interior Style and Quality:
Inside, the layout of the Corolla Cross Hybrid is more function over form. Style wise, it looks and feels down market compared to many of its rivals, but with such an advanced drivetrain, a balance must be made to keep it price competitive. This was the biggest drawback she found on the vehicle. The black/blue softex seats are a highlight though, as is the premium feeling digital gauge cluster.
Tech and Safety:
That driver information center measures 12.3-inches and is fully customizable. Central to the dash is a 10.5-inch infotainment screen that my wife found easy to operate. She was able to customize her settings, connect her phone, and program the radio easily enough. The Bluetooth connection to her phone did cut out a few times over the week though, something I’ve experienced in the past as well.
Other tech highlights include programmable ambient lighting, the optional JBL audio system, and optional moonroof. On a safety front, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid features Safety Sense 3.0 standard, front and rear parking assist, full-speed dynamic radar cruise control lane departure alert lane tracing assist, and more.
Value Dollars and Sense:
In the United States, the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE AWD starts at $34,480 (all prices including destination charges). As tested with the options listed above, it came to $37,030. In Canada, the XSE AWD starts at $39,535 and bumps up to $40,075 as tested.
That price puts it just a bit above a fully loaded Subaru Crosstrek in America, and a few thousands above the top trims of the Kia Seltos and Honda HR-V.
Final Thoughts:
During our week of evaluation, my wife found both positives and negatives in the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. She was lukewarm to it, until the time came to fill it up. After a week of driving, it cost roughly half as much to fill as her current 2023 Subaru Crosstrek over the same distance driven.
This fact alone can be worth the price of admission for Toyota’s small SUV. The fuel efficiency overcomes most of the vehicle's negatives. The Corolla Cross Hybrid is a great small family vehicle for folks with sizeable daily commutes. Although this isn’t our current situation, for those that do a lot of driving in a year, it’s worth checking out the Corolla Cross Hybrid.
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2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid: All the Details
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
Fuel Economy | Interior Quality |
Ride Comfort | Front Seat Comfort |
Easy to Operate | A Few Tech Issues |
Power Lift Gate |
FAQs
- Q: How much is a 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid?
- A: The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE AWD starts at $34,480 including destination charges.
- Q: How many miles per gallon does a 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid get?
- A: The Corolla Cross Hybrid gets 45 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway
- Q: Is the Corolla Cross smaller than the RAV4?
- A: Yes, it is a size smaller than the RAV4.
Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine/Motor | 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid |
Output: | 196 hp |
Drivetrain: | eAWD |
Transmission: | eCVT |
Fuel Economy (MPG): | 45 city, 38 highway |
Fuel Economy (L/100 km): | 5.2 city, 6.1 highway |
Starting Price USA: | $34,480 (incl. dest.) |
As Tested Price USA: | $37,030 (incl. dest.) |
Starting Price Canada: | $39,535 (incl. dest.) |
As Tested Price Canada: | $40,075 (incl. dest.) |
A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
More by Mike Schlee
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I'll keep my Subaru Crosstrek, regardless of gas mileage differences.
Wife had a friend. Wanted to sell her Crosstrek. Toyota was more readily available. She hated it. In the shop for electronics issues, etc. She sold it w/I a year and went back to the Subaru. Things change.