2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

It was a good call to give this compact SUV the venerable Corolla name, because it meets a similar need for something affordable to buy and run that’s also reliable, not too big, not too small, and just gets the job done. And making a hybrid version available is another good call.

This SUV shares the same foundation as the Corolla compact sedan. It’s smaller than the Toyota RAV4, which is the company’s highly popular compact SUV. It comes with many standard safety features as well as a raised driving position, plus plenty of practicality. For a first vehicle or for a small family, Toyota has produced a credible contender.

The non-hybrid Toyota Corolla Cross is reviewed separately.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of hybrid SUVs, including the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

Although we wouldn’t have been surprised for a Corolla Cross Hybrid midcycle update for 2025, apparently we will have to wait until at least 2026 for a refresh. In the meantime, this year’s only change of any note is the addition of a couple of paint combinations for the Nightshade trim. Wind Chill Pearl and Soul Red Crystal will be available with a contrasting black roof.

Currently the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is the only true subcompact SUV with a gas-electric powertrain. Still, looking at potential rivals, the Kia Niro Hybrid starts at about $2,000 less but isn’t available with all-wheel drive. The larger Hyundai Tucson Hybrid has all-wheel drive as standard, with prices beginning at about $4,000 more than the Corolla Cross Hybrid; while the non-hybrid Corolla Cross starts at roughly $4,000 less. However, when gasoline-only Corolla Cross is equipped with all-wheel drive — which is standard on the Corolla Cross Hybrid — the price gap narrows. We think the Corolla Cross Hybrid in general is a terrific value.

Before buying a new Corolla Cross Hybrid SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Toyota vehicles tend to be among the strongest performers in terms of resale values. And remember, the more value retained means the more you have to put down on your next vehicle.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid makes 196 horsepower, which is enough muscle to accelerate from standstill to 60 mph in just over seven seconds. That’s more than acceptable for an SUV in this class, and in our extended testing of this vehicle we came to especially appreciate the electric portion of the hybrid gas-electric powertrain. The Corolla Cross Hybrid just always seemed to have something extra to give thanks to the extra propulsion of those electrons.

Over the years, Toyota has achieved plenty of success by making its vehicles one less thing for owners to think about on the school run or the commute, getting the job done without any fuss. The Corolla Cross Hybrid SUV is like that — easy to drive, if not especially athletic. The ride is comfortable. The cabin is mostly quiet, but we agree with some of our consumer reviews that more sound insulation would be welcome.

Fuel Economy

In combined (mixed city-and-highway)  driving, the Corolla Cross Hybrid achieves 42 mpg. For context, check out the combustion-only Corolla Cross with all-wheel drive, which returns 30 mpg combined. Driving 15,000 miles a year, this hybrid model will use about 142 fewer gallons of gas. That’s a saving of $461, assuming the price of gas is $3.25 a gallon. By the way, the Kia Niro Hybrid delivers between 49 and 53 mpg, depending on the trim level, but it doesn’t have all-wheel drive.

Yes, there are the special hybrid-related graphics available on the display, showing drivers how and where the energy is flowing at any given moment. But the cabin of the Corolla Cross Hybrid stays mainly within the typical Toyota boundaries of acceptable design and workable ergonomics.

The particular attributes of the Corolla Cross Hybrid include a raised driving position and decent rear headroom. We like the front seats in particular — they’re comfortable and well shaped.

A leather-wrapped steering wheel comes in at the SE trim level, which is where we would start. Sound insulation seems better here than in the less-expensive S. It also adds blind-spot monitoring to its list of standard equipment.

One minor disappointment is that rear legroom (32 inches) starts to become tight once passengers get over 5 feet tall. The Niro, for instance, provides nearly 40 inches. Cargo space could be sufficient compensation. Behind the rear seats is an area of 21.5 cubic feet, enough for a few golf bags. However, here the Niro also bests the Corolla Cross Hybrid with 22.8 cubic-feet.

There’s a bit of a scaled-down RAV4 look to the 2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid. It’s lower and shorter than the RAV4, which could make parking easier. Yet the Corolla Cross Hybrid can still emphasize the utility in “sport utility vehicle.”

Toyota has also taken steps to distinguish this hybrid from its conventional counterpart. The designs at the front and rear are slightly different, 18-inch alloy wheels are available, and the SE and XSE offer two-tone paint jobs. These involve Sonic Silver, Blue Crush Metallic, or Acidic Blast (a kind of greenish gold) with a black roof.

The Nightshade version adds black exterior elements such as 18-inch alloy wheels — plus the choice of red, black, or gray paint. Black is the standard color; however, the red and gray options ($500) include a contrasting black roof.

Hybrid power
It makes so much sense to enhance a gasoline engine with an electric motor. It provides more thrust while maximizing fuel economy. A win-win situation. Toyota was a pioneer and now a master of hybrid systems.

All-wheel drive
All-wheel drive is a useful asset in rough weather and every Corolla Cross Hybrid variant is fitted with it.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
The ability to integrate a phone into the infotainment system and use apps like Waze is made even better by not having to get said phone out of a pocket or purse. This is standard across the range.

Toyota Safety System 3.0
This is Toyota’s collective term for a set of driver assistance features that comes as standard in every new Corolla Cross Hybrid SUV. As well as the now-usual forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, there’s pedestrian and motorcycle detection, plus intersection assistance. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is also included, as well as adaptive cruise control.

Rear Seat Reminder
If a pet, child, or Aunt Lucy has been mistakenly left in the back seat while the driver is just about to lock up and walk away (no judgement, there’s a lot going on these days) this handy and standard feature will provide the necessary alert.

Integrated Streaming
A Wi-Fi subscription includes this feature, where Apple Music and Amazon Music customers can bring their accounts into the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

Although there’s a hybrid version of the Corolla compact sedan, it doesn’t have the same powertrain as this Corolla Cross Hybrid compact SUV. The differences are more power in the Corolla Cross — 196 horsepower, as opposed to the sedan’s (puny) 121 — and the Corolla Cross has all-wheel drive as standard. An automatic transmission of the continuously variable kind powers the wheels. For the sake of comparison, at 139 hp, the Niro’s output doesn’t come close.

It’s not a conventional all-wheel-drive system, though, with driveshafts, locking differentials, and so on. Instead, a dedicated electric motor turns the rear wheels. This setup is also more muscular than the gasoline-only Corolla Cross (which has 169 horsepower). Toyota doesn’t provide total torque figures for its hybrid vehicles, but it feels like a healthy amount from the driver’s seat.

Maximum towing capacity is 1,500 pounds.

3-year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Toyota’s new-vehicle warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. These are typical among mainstream manufacturers. Hybrid batteries have their own warranty of 10 years or 150,000 miles. Toyota also provides free maintenance for the first two years or 25,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has gave the 2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid its coveted accolade of Top Safety Pick; so, the 2025 model should be just as safe.