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The Toyota Corolla Cross has garnered a great deal of buzz since its debut for the 2022 model year. It combines the styling of the highly successful Corolla sedan with the utility of a compact crossover SUV. For the 2023 model year, the Corolla Cross is an even more competitive choice against other models in the small crossover SUV segment, including the Mazda CX-5. The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross has one big thing that the 2023 Mazda CX-5 doesn’t offer: an efficient hybrid model.

Unlike the 2023 Mazda CX-5, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross offers an efficient hybrid model

Following its debut the previous model year, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross is primarily a carryover model. However, it has a big addition in terms of propulsion. It offers a new hybrid model. Considering Toyota’s success and industry-leading expertise with hybrids, the Corolla Cross Hybrid aims to sell very well.

While gasoline is not as expensive as it was earlier in 2022, it’s still one of the most significant costs of vehicle ownership. An efficient crossover SUV like the Corolla Cross Hybrid can save a great deal of money for a driver over the long haul. However, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 doesn’t offer a hybrid model. Only fully gas-powered engines are available for the CX-5.

2023 Corolla Cross has higher gas mileage than the 2023 CX-5

The obvious benefit of the hybrid powertrain in the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is high gas mileage. It combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with three electric motors, delivering a gas-sipping estimated fuel economy of up to 37 combined mpg. The Corolla Cross also offers a fully gas-powered model with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which gets an estimated gas mileage of up to 32 combined mpg.

Conversely, the only powertrain options for the 2023 Mazda CX-5 are fully gas-powered engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The CX-5 has an estimated fuel economy of up to 26 combined mpg. Compared to the CX-5, the Corolla Cross Hybrid gets 11 more mpg. Also, even if you opt for the fully gas-powered version of the Corolla Cross, you’ll still benefit from higher fuel economy.

Another benefit of the Corolla Cross Hybrid is convenience. With lower fuel consumption, the crossover SUV can travel farther on a full tank of gas than the CX-5. This means that you won’t have to stop at gas stations as often. 

Other advantages of the Toyota Corolla Cross over the Mazda CX-5

In addition to its efficient hybrid powertrain, the 2023 Corolla Cross has some other advantages over the 2023 CX-5. For one, with its slightly smaller size, lower weight, and tighter turning circle, the Corolla Cross is more maneuverable than the CX-5. It also has higher ground clearance (up to 8.1 inches vs. 7.5 inches), which makes the crossover SUV a better choice for light off-road use. 

Additionally, the Corolla Cross provides more cargo space, with a maximum storage capacity of 66.8 cu-ft, compared to 58.1 cu-ft for the CX-5. Plus, it’s more affordable. It has a starting price of $23,060 MSRP, while the CX-5 starts at $26,700 MSRP.

With its newly available hybrid powertrain, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross has a big thing that the 2023 Mazda CX-5 doesn’t offer. When deciding which crossover SUV to get, this is a key factor to keep in mind.

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