The Toyota Corolla is an automotive masterpiece for consumers who strongly value reliability. It’s a sedan that has become synonymous with longevity and long-term value. Is it exciting? Not particularly. Does it have the greatest driving dynamics in its segment? Not even close. Still, the Corolla arguably provides the most value in its segment for the money. As a result, the automaker took the SUV segment by storm when it released its bulked-up version of the reliable sedan. But there’s one 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross SUV that’s better than the rest. We think it should be selling as well as the sedan. Here’s why the best SUV iteration of the Corolla is wildly underrated.

From sedan to SUV: The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross is attention-starved

Before we get to the Toyota Corolla Cross subcompact SUV model, let’s get to why Toyota introduced it in the first place. Toyota’s former subcompact SUV offering, the C-HR, wasn’t very popular. It didn’t sell well by the brand’s standards, and consumers and experts alike had several gripes. It was the black sheep of the family in the worst way possible.

Though some consumers chose the C-HR over competitors through the years, numbers don’t lie. Based on sales and ratings, the company began to realize that the C-HR nameplate wasn’t successful. After a few model years, it wasn’t trending in the right direction either.

So, Toyota recently introduced a new subcompact SUV, and the C-HR was quietly pushed aside. Now, the brand’s latest subcompact SUV is getting plenty of attention, but it’s still underrated by the general public.

Why the 2023 Toyota Corolla SUV is an excellent option

What if I told you that there’s a vehicle that combines the reliability and longevity of a Corolla with the practicality and capability of a crossover? Many drivers are jumping for joy over the arrival of the Corolla Cross, and rightfully so. That being said, its genius won’t truly be evident until it stands the test of time. How long could that take? At least a decade.

Toyota Corolla models may shine after the first year of ownership, but its value proposition is truly apparent after the vehicle becomes a weathered, antiquated relic of the past. My mother owns a 2004 Toyota Corolla. It has less than 90,000 miles on it. I often think that Corolla has the potential to outlive me, a journalist in his late twenties. Though part of this statement is hyperbolic, the fact remains that the Corolla nameplate is known for lasting much longer than most of its rivals.

Although that 2004 Toyota Corolla may have spots of rust on its hood, it has survived a few fender benders. I know, as an automotive journalist and consumer, that it’ll dutifully get her to and from work for the next few years despite being nearly two decades old. That, dear reader, is the genius of the Toyota Corolla. Thus, the Corolla Cross may not reveal its true value for another decade.

The best version of the Toyota Corolla Cross is worth every penny

Now that we’ve established what a treasure the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross could be, what version should you get? The best iteration of the Corolla SUV is a hybrid model that’s part of the Toyota Beyond Zero initiative. The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is a standard all-wheel drive hybrid version of the new Corolla SUV. Its best quality is its stellar fuel economy.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid starts at $27,970. Its SE trim adds creature comforts like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and wireless smartphone charging for a total of $29,290. The hybrid SUV gets 42 miles per gallon combined. It’s an incredible deal for drivers who want an efficient and reliable all-wheel drive subcompact SUV that doesn’t break the bank.