Toyota is adding to the Corolla Cross family with a new hybrid variant for the 2023 model year. The hybrid version is equipped with Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid system that Toyota says delivers more performance, delivering 194 horsepower with an 8.0 second 0-60 time. The hybrid system also has a new electronic all-wheel drive system that's new to the entire Corolla nameplate for 2023. Toyota says the powertrain delivers a manufacturer-estimated 37 combined miles per gallon.
Grades
The Corolla Cross Hybrid comes in three new grades: S, SE and XSE, as well as the familiar LE and XLE grades. S and SE grades come standard with:
The SE grade adds:
The XSE is the sportiest grade. It builds on the SE features and adds:
SE and XSE trims will be available in four two-tone combinations: Sonic Silver/ Black Roof, Barcelona Red/ Black Roof, Blue Crush Metallic/ Black Roof and Acidic Blast/ Black Roof (all-new color).
Other available colors are:
The interior of the Corolla Cross offers many of the same features you find in its sedan and hatchback siblings. In higher grades, it can be outfitted with a power moonroof, as well as either single- or dual-zone automatic climate control, with all grades featuring standard heating and air conditioning vents for rear seat passengers.
Interior color options include:
The Corolla Cross lineup comes with Toyota's new Multimedia System, with intuitive touch and voice activation controls. It offers Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and added USB-C charge ports. Enhanced connectivity and convenience features include being Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. An available Connected Service Drive Connect trial or subscription, gives drivers and passengers access to Intelligent Assistant, Cloud Navigation and Destination Assist.
Intelligent Assistant allows drivers to use simple phrases like "Hey Toyota" for voice activated commands to search for directions, find Points of Interest (POI), adjust audio controls, change the cabin temperatures and more. Cloud Navigation, the available onboard navigation solution, utilizes the cloud to download the latest available map, traffic and routing information. To ensure users have the most up-to-date search capabilities, POI search is provided by Google Points-of-Interest data. Destination Assist also gives access to 24/7 live agent assistance to locate the next destination.
The system allows for dual Bluetooth® phone connectivity. Other audio features include HD Radio®, USB data and a SiriusXM® Platinum Plan 3-month trial subscription. An available Wi-Fi Connect subscription offers AT&T 4G connectivity for up to five devices. Plus a Wi-Fi Connect trial or subscription also enables the new Integrated Streaming feature, providing customers the ability to link their separate Apple Music® and Amazon Music subscriptions to the vehicle for onboard control.
All 2023 Corolla Cross models come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, Toyota's suite of active safety systems, which Toyota says has system sensors with improved detection capability. The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection is also capable of detecting motorcyclists in certain conditions. When making a turn or approaching an intersection, the system is designed to detect forward or laterally approaching oncoming vehicles and provides audio/visual alerts and automatic braking in certain conditions. Improved lane recognition delivers refined performance of Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Lane Tracing Assist.
Corolla Cross will be equipped with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist is designed to notify the driver via audible and visual alerts and slight steering force if it senses the vehicle is leaving the lane without engaging a turn signal. When DRCC is set and engaged, Lane Tracing Assist uses visible lane markers or a preceding vehicle to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane.
Automatic High Beams are designed to detect preceding or oncoming vehicles and automatically switch between high beam and low beam headlights. Road Sign Assist is designed to recognize certain road sign information using a forward-facing camera and display them on the multi-information display (MID).
Toyota's Rear Seat Reminder comes standard on all grades. The feature can note whether a rear door was opened within 10 minutes of the vehicle being turned on, or at any time after the vehicle has been turned on, with a reminder message in the instrument cluster after the engine is turned off, accompanied by multitone chimes.
In addition to the TSS 3.0 system, other standard safety features include Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) also comes standard.
Photo Credit: Toyota.