Toyota Corolla Cross Adds Hybrid for 2023

The Toyota Corolla Cross adds a hybrid powertrain for its sophomore model year.The hybrid engine is available across five trim levels.Combined fuel economy is estimated at 37 mpg.

For the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross, now in its second year, the big news is the addition of a hybrid powertrain to supplement the existing 169-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Whereas the base engine can be combined with front- or all-wheel drive, the hybrid is AWD only, with the rear wheels driven electrically. The hybrid powertrain’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two motor-generators make a total of 194 horsepower. Toyota expects a time of 8.0 seconds to 60 mph—which would be a significant improvement on the 9.2 seconds we measured in our test of the regular Corolla Cross.

Of course, a hybrid’s main calling card is fuel economy, and the Corolla Cross hybrid is expected to deliver 37 mpg overall. That’s 5 to 7 mpg better than the standard Corolla Cross, which has EPA combined estimates of 30 mpg with front-wheel drive and 32 mpg with all-wheel drive. It’s nowhere near as economical as the 52-mpg number posted by the front-wheel-drive 2022 Corolla hybrid sedan, however.

Besides the arrival of a hybrid powertrain, the Corolla Cross sees other changes for 2023. The model adds new S, SE, and XSE trim levels as slightly sportier counterparts to the returning L, LE, and XLE models. The new S trio gets tweaked front and rear styling and a sport-tuned suspension. The SE and XSE add paddle shifters and offer a contrasting black roof along with a two-tone black and blue interior. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert join the list of standard driver assists, and the infotainment system upgrades to wireless smartphone mirroring.

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