Toyota and Subaru collaborate on the GR86/BRZ and bZ4X/Solterra, but this subcompact hybrid SUV takes direct aim at the Crosstrek Hybrid.This review was conducted as part of our 2024 SUV of the Year testing, where each vehicle is evaluated on our six key criteria: efficiency, design, safety, engineering excellence, value, and performance of intended function. Eligible vehicles must be all-new or significantly revised..
We had gas-only Crosstreks on hand for comparison, and design-wise the Subarus seemed much more expressive and stylish. Associate editor Alex Leanse wondered if Toyota had asked AI to generate the Hybrid model's unique front-end design and accepted an early draft.
Performance is perfectly adequate. The 7.4-second 0-60-mph time undercuts that of both the new gas Crosstrek and the outgoing PHEV version by more than a half second, and of the Niro PHEV by nearly 2 seconds. A Sport mode keeps the engine revs up, but the resulting racket is none too mellifluous. Handling-wise, the Corolla Cross Hybrid comports itself well enough on twisting roads at a modest pace, but it understeers when pressed harder, and it delivers subpar brake-pedal feel.
On the value front, buyer's guide director Zach Gale reckoned a $29,320 S or a $30,640 SE model might provide more value than this loaded XSE at $36,694, at which price bigger hybrid compact SUVs start to make more sense, if you can accept a slight drop in combined economy. As for how the Corolla Cross Hybrid functions as a subcompact SUV, the electric gear in back eats 4.0 cubic feet of the gasser's cargo space, the return for which is an additional 12 mpg for the EPA combined rating. The trouble with these numbers, in the eyes of several editors, is that Toyota sells another e-AWD hybrid that looks a lot better, offers roughly the same cargo space, and gets 7 more mpg combined: the Prius.