Crossover SUVs are becoming much more user-friendly as time passes, and the variety is also expanding. One of our favorite new models is the Toyota Corolla Cross. This is a five-passenger compact crossover with a wagon-like design. It’s not a rough and tumble off-roader, but perfect for commuters and daily use. One word of caution - Get the hybrid, not the base gas engine.

The Toyota Corolla Cross is an excellent crossover wagon if you get the hybrid AWD powertrain. We tested both the top-trim gas-only Corolla Cross as well as the top-trim hybrid and found the base powertrain unpleasant and underpowered. By contrast, the hybrid feels peppy, the AWD system works very well, and the vehicle is very satisfying to drive.

The Corolla Cross is a bit smaller than Toyota’s popular RAV4. The biggest difference is in the shape. The RAV4 is an upright SUV style, and the Corolla Cross is lower to the ground and reminds us of a small wagon. In terms of pricing, the Corolla Cross is about $5K to $7K less than the RAV4 when comparably equipped.

Honda’s HR-V is a great crossover wagon in the same style as the Corolla Cross. If you prefer the Honda brand, then this is your option. However, the base powertrain is so weak we found it spoiled the fun. There is no hybrid option for Honda’s HR-V, which is a shame.

The Mazda CX-30 is the fun crossover in this segment. It is available with a good base engine and geared transmission. The big news is the up-powered Turbo. The CX-30 is powerful and fun, and has a price close to that of the Corolla Cross Hybrid. If you are OK with 27 MPG, it is the obvious choice in this segment.

Maybe you love the size and style of the Corolla Cross, but you plan a lot of off-pavement adventures. If that’s you, then you must check out Subaru’s Crosstrek. The Crosstrek comes in a bonkers Wilderness edition that will satisfy your adventure cravings much better than the Corolla Cross can.

The base Corolla Cross L with front-wheel drive and its (weak) gas-only engine starts at $25K. A loaded XLE AWD with all the goodies has a price of $33,400. The Corolla Cross Hybrid S AWD starts at just under $30K. The top-trim XSE Hybrid AWD with JBL premium audio and adaptive headlights, and has a price of $35,920. Our prices include Toyota’s delivery, processing, and handling fees but do not include dealer markups, dealer doc fees, and added dealer content.

Now halfway through its design cycle in 2024, the Corolla Cross adds an appearance package called the Nightshade. It slots in just under the top trim XSE. There is also a new wireless phone charger available, but it was too small for our Galaxy S24.

The Corolla Cross base drives reluctantly. Its powertrain spoils any enjoyment. The base engine is too weak for its mission and the CVT transmission drones. By contrast, the Corolla Cross Hybrid AWD feels peppy, and it has plenty of power for everyday enjoyment. Its eCVT and AWD system feel ideal for daily driving.

We took the Corolla Cross XSE Hybrid AWD on a tour of northern New England and found it to be very pleasant. The Sport Mode is helpful, and even with it engaged for much of our time in the vehicle, we observed 42.2 MPG. Handling is not sports-car sharp, but you do sit lower to the ground than in an SUV, and that has some benefits to the driving experience. Brakes are good, not great. The pedal is a bit softer than we like, and there is a bit of regen braking oddness when you are pulling into parking spaces. It didn't spoil our enjoyment of the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

The interior of our tester was black. We’d suggest any other option. The black materials contrasted with gray felt a little downmarket to us, and they darkened the cabin. Seat comfort is acceptable. The seats are adult-sized, which is nice in a compact crossover. The lumbar was like a stick in the lower back, so we had to adjust it to its minimal support setting.

The wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay work seamlessly. However, the phone storage area, which doubles as a wireless charger in the XSE trim, is too small. My Galaxy S24 is among the smallest sized phones on sale today, and it was still too large to nest in the spot. It kept sliding out when I would accelerate. So, it had to live in the console and could not charge while driving. If you have an Ultra size phone of any brand forget using the wireless charger; there is no chance it will fit. One annoyance was the default advertisement screen Toyota now shows in all its models. It encourages you to subscribe to the brand's telematics package, and you have to tap to another screen every-single-time you get into the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

The rear seat is reasonably roomy for two, and three kids could be crammed in if need be. You do need to pull the front seats forward a few notches to let anyone use the rear seats comfortably. Cargo space is very good. However, the spare is replaced with a repair kit in all hybrid trims. Be sure your AAA membership is active.

IIHS tested the Corolla Cross last year, and it earned the Top Safety Pick award. It did not earn the TSP+ award because it only scored Acceptable on two important tests. Also, many trims have headlights that score lower than Good. Our tester had the optional (and expensive) adaptive headlights, and we were not impressed. NHTSA gives the Corolla Cross five stars overall.

The Corolla Cross in all trims earns Consumer Reports’ Recommended stamp. The Hybrid trims add the green stamp of approval. Predicted reliability is a solid 71/100. In the recently-updated 2024 J.D. Power Dependability Study, Toyota ranks highest amongst mainstream brands and second only to Lexus overall. As with most Toyota vehicles, the Corolla Cross is a safe bet.

If you haven’t heard our message loud and clear, we’ll say it once again; Get the hybrid. We’d suggest a top-trim XSE, and if you can avoid them, skip the unreasonably-expensive JBL audio and adaptive headlights. Shoot for a $33K out the door price.

Toyota offers a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Nothing special here, except that you will probably never use it. ToyotaCare adds two years of included maintenance.

• Basic: 3 years / 36k miles
• Powertrain: 5 years / 50k miles
• 2 years included maintenance
• If buying used look at our best extended warranties

The Corolla Cross has only been in circulation for about two years, so finding one used will be tricky. However, when they do become available, we would expect them to be highly reliable and a safe used vehicle bet.

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