2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Pros and Cons for Daily Driving
Is it time to go hybrid? With the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, there are a few ups and downs to consider with its attractive price and average performance. Check out my 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid pros and cons list.
2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid pros and cons
- Pros: Fuel economy, comfortable ride quality and cabin, and a surprising amount of space
- Cons: Could be sportier, lackluster interior, and a low camera resolution.
These 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross pros and cons are coming after my week with this spirited compact SUV. It’s a well-rounded option designed to tackle rivals such as the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, and Hyundai Kona.
During my week, I traveled from the flat lands of Rock Hill, SC, up to the curvy mountain roads of Asheville, NC to see its performance during road trips and shorter jaunts around town.
2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid pros
1. The Corolla Cross Hybrid has an excellent fuel economy
The Toyota Crolla Cross Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 45 mpg in the city and up to 38 mpg on the highway when equipped with AWD.
This seems to be right on the money as my average for the week was 38.4 mpg. This includes five hours of road-tripping on the interstate, running errands around town with lots of stop lights, and idling during photoshoots.
My lowest reading was 35 mpg and my highest was 43 mpg. The average may have been higher with less idling time and if I didn’t neglect the Eco Mode.
The Sport Mode is pretty enticing with elevated response times, Normal Mode is a bit smoother, and Eco Mode may feel slightly delayed.
Also, I used EV mode after gaining enough charge to drive on electric power alone. It can only be used at speeds under 25 mph, making it efficient for stop-and-go traffic.
2. The Corolla Cross Hybrid is comfortable
For an entry-level model, the Corolla Cross Hybrid punches above its weight with a smooth ride. It absorbs most impacts very quickly for a drama-free commute.
The front seats are supportive and well-padded for hours of comfort. The front seat has available power controls for a wide range of adjustments for the perfect driving position.
However, while taking my mom to lunch, she pointed out the lack of passenger seat adjustments.
The climate control system is smart and rarely needs adjusting during hot days with highs near 80 and lows near 30. Plus, the rear passengers get air vents, which is rare for the class.
There is wind and road noise at highway speeds and a loud engine roar at times, but it’s much quieter than the Honda HR-V with its engine wheeze.
3. The Corolla Cross Hybrid is spacious for a compact option
Next up on the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid pros and cons list is space. The front and second rows have ample space. At 5’1” the rear felt cavernous to me, but taller folks may want more leg room.
Storage space for smaller items is limited due to a small center console and glove box, but the door pockets are generous with extra cup holders.
Overall, the Corolla Cross Hybrid has 25.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and up to 61.8 cubic feet overall, which is good for the class.
2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid cons
1. The Corolla Cross Hybrid could be sportier
The Toyota Corolla Cross has a standard 2,0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with three electric motors to generate 196 hp and 139 lb-ft of torque.
It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds, which is plenty of power for passing others on the highway and merging into traffic, but not exactly thrilling.
It has tons of pep on the line with a smooth acceleration and confident brakes, but the steering is vague and the handling could be more responsive. Plus, where is Off-Road mode?
2. The Corolla Cross Hybrid interior is a little bland
The Corolla Cross Hybrid has an upscale interior that’s well put together. Plus, the layout is intuitive and convenient. It’s just not the most attractive setup in the world.
Black faux leather upholstery covers the seats, doors, and dash. But there’s a lack of contrast stitching and textured patterns to spice things up.
The seats with cloth inserts and white stripes do make things feel more athletic but the silver-painted plastics are a little bland. Also, the LED lighting is limited to two dull inserts near the door handles.
3. The Corolla Cross Hybrid could use a better rear-view camera
The last item on my 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Pros and Cons list is the rear-view camera resolution. While the 8.0-inch infotainment screen provides a large view, the camera resolution is a little grainy.
You may find yourself squinting while in reverse or looking at potential obstacles. I found myself relying on the parking sensors more. Also, there’s no 360-degree camera display, which is helpful in tight areas.