The 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid offers a practical, spacious 4-door option for those who prioritize a higher driving position over a traditional Corolla sedan or hatchback. I received this SE Nightshade trim tester so we put it to the test to see how it performs.

When the gas-only model was launched, it featured a somewhat underpowered 169-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). However, the additional 250 pounds of weight made it painfully sluggish. The Corolla Cross Hybrid now introduces three electric motors to complement the 2.0-liter gas engine.

New Looks

The gasoline-only Corolla Cross features a distinct, catfish-like grille while the hybrid model sports a beaked lip reminiscent of the Lexus RX’s new front fascia. Toyota has also blacked out the trim and badging to further distinguish the two variants. The overall result is a handsome, rugged-looking small SUV.
Toyota is positioning the hybrid Corolla Cross as a sportier alternative to the gasoline-only model. Accordingly, the 2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid is available in S, SE, XSE, and Nightshade trims.

New Underpinnings

To accommodate the additional weight from the battery and motor, Toyota has uniquely tuned the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s suspension. The front features a sport-tuned independent MacPherson strut setup with a stabilizer bar, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers. In the rear, there’s a sport-tuned double-wishbone multi-link design with coil springs, trailing arms, a stabilizer bar, and hydraulic shock absorbers. For off-road capability, the Corolla Cross Hybrid boasts 8.1 inches of ground clearance – a 3-inch increase over the standard Corolla hatchback sedan.

Nightshade Trim

The Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade features a stylish, blacked-out exterior with details like darkened badges, door handles, and mirrors. It also includes an integrated rear lip spoiler for an athletic look. You can choose from three paint options: Jet Black, Barcelona Red with a Jet Black roof, or Celestite Gray with a Jet Black roof.

Additionally, the Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade comes equipped with convenient accessories for an active lifestyle, such as a roof rack for extra storage, wireless charging, a frameless HomeLink rearview mirror, and standard carpet floor mats.

Wheels and tires

The Nightshade trim features 18-inch black painted wheels with 225/55 tires. The XSE model also has 18-inch wheels, while the lower trim levels come equipped with 17-inch wheels.

Under The Hood

The 2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 150 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. This engine works in tandem with electric motors that produce an additional 152 lb-ft of torque, though Toyota has not disclosed the electric motors’ horsepower output. The combined system output is rated at 196 horsepower.

All Corolla Cross Hybrid models come standard with all-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This hybrid powertrain enables the Corolla Cross Hybrid to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds, a significant improvement over the 9.2-second 0-60 time of the standard Corolla Cross model.

Toyota’s hybrid model achieves an impressive 42 mpg combined, a significant improvement over the 32 mpg of the gasoline-only FWD version and 30 mpg of the AWD variant. However, despite this enhanced fuel efficiency, the vehicle’s fuel tank capacity is quite small, measuring just 10.6 gallons. For the week I averaged an impressive (for me at least) 36.7 mpg.

Driving

As you might expect the the Corolla Cross Hybrid is a much better drive than the gas-only model, it’s quite peppy in fact. Mash the gas pedal from a stop and you’ll surprise other drivers with its speed, at least up to 40 mph. The front tires do chirp a little before the rear electric motor kicks in and you zoom forward towards the next light. All is not perfect however, the 2.0 four is quite coarse and buzzy and Toyota hasn’t added any sound deadening under the hood to quell the noise.

It’s at its best driving around town making use of its electric motors which allows for smooth and refined progress. It’s only when you mash the gas pedal that things get a little unrefined. That said if you select the Sport mode and throw it at some turns it’s a precise and well-handling little crossover. I had some fun carving through some back roads East of San Diego and found it to be a fun little car.

Of course, since it has AWD I wanted to see if it could cope with our easiest of road hill so I head out to that first trail to see. The suspension on dirt or paved roads is commendable, it dampens out all but the worst potholes and washboard surfaces. The steering is light, and the brakes work well for a hybrid.

At the test hill, all did not go well, halfway up one rear and one front wheel stated spinning and I decided that we weren’t going to make it and gently backed down. It is a little unfair of me to try and compare this car with a Subaru, which will easily crest this hill.

Interior

The dashboard design is a little uninspired, with a wide expanse of plain scratchy plastic styled to mimic the Corolla sedan and hatch. Fortunately, the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s touchscreen display offers a more engaging focal point. The 8.0-inch screen runs Toyota’s latest responsive and user-friendly multimedia interface. Even better, the climate controls retain physical buttons, which many drivers prefer over touch-based systems. This system offers standard wireless compatibility with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The seats offer good support but have limited adjustability of the tilt and telescopic steering column. On the plus side, this is an impressively spacious interior given the Corolla Cross’s compact footprint.

Pricing

The nightshade edition starts at $30,456, but various add-on options can increase the total cost. These include a $800 JBL premium audio system, a $940 moonroof package, $500 for 2-tone paint, and an $289 all-weather cargo liner. Additional features like a $89 rear bumper protector and $175 door sill protectors further raise the price. With destination fees, the total comes out to $34,787.

Cargo

The good news is that the Corolla Cross is unaffected by the electrification updates, it still provides 21.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which expands to 61.8 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.

Safety

The 2024 Corolla Cross comes equipped with the TNGA-C platform for collision protection, as well as Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 – Toyota’s suite of advanced safety technologies. These systems feature enhanced sensors that improve detection capabilities. The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection can even identify motorcyclists in certain driving conditions.

The SE grade adds privacy glass, roof rails and paddle shifters as well as standard Blind-Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

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Verdict

The hybrid Corolla Cross offers a more compelling package than the standard gasoline model, with better driving dynamics and superior fuel efficiency. While not thrilling, the hybrid provides a practical, efficient, and enjoyable daily driver experience, with enough pep to put a smile on your face when accelerating from a stop.

2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade Numbers

BASE PRICE: $30,465
PRICE AS TESTED: $34,787
VEHICLE LAYOUT: Front-engine, AWD, 5-passenger, 4-door SUV
ENGINE: 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve I-4 + Rear electric motor
POWER: 150 hp
TORQUE: 151 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm
COMBINED POWER: 196 HP
TRANSMISSION: Continuously Variable
CURB WEIGHT: 3,430 lb
0-60 MPH: 7.5 seconds
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON: 45/38/42 mpg
OUR OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY 36.7 mpg
CARGO SPACE: 21.5 cubic feet, 61.8 cubic feet with rear seat flat
PROS: Hybrid system is peppy, zippy handling, looks cool
CONS: The gas engine is coarse, and there are some inferior plastics inside