Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid 2023 review: Atmos 2WD | Small premium hybrid SUV put to the family test

Corolla has been one of the best known names in the automotive world for more than five decades, and as consumers pivot en masse towards SUVs Toyota has applied it to a new compact crossover that looks set to extend the model’s popularity even further.

The much-anticipated Corolla Cross combines sleek design with a five-seat, five-door configuration designed to deliver practicality with a fun personality.

But will it get the job done for busy families? Emily Agar’s family of three has lived with the premium Atmos Hybrid version for a week, assessing everything from value, safety and performance, to economy, on-board tech and day-to-day ease-of-use.

If you’re after well-equipped, sub-$50K family transport with a small physical and environmental footprint, this car will likely be on your new car shortlist. So, press play on this video and find out what Emily liked, as well as some of the things she wasn’t 100 per cent convinced by.

#CorollaCross #ToyotaHybrid #review

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Timecodes:

00:00 Intro
00:25 Pricing and features
00:54 Design
01:32 Practicality
03:09 Driving
03:39 Efficiency
03:56 Safety
04:23 Ownership
04:49 Verdict

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CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive

[rodds]

Underpowered? It has 146kw and 196 HP. And it will do 0 -100 in about 8.3 seconds.
Have a look at the Chasing Cars review of around 18 sub compact SUV's. The Carolla Cross Hybrid came in second place to the BYD EV in a race. It was the fastest ICE car tested.
I don't know what she means regarding its lack of power?

[majood]

I’m not a big fan of Toyotas. But this Corolla New Zealand and Australian and European specs are the champ. Not a crappy US version. A design. Interior is absolutely gorgeous

[ronsmith]

I have ordered one of these and yes I am waiting for it. It looks like a good option for a retiree ready to do some travel.

[riod]

it looks nice, but I have seen the US version ( latest 2023 model) and their exterior of their top of the range XLE, equivalent to atmos, look a bit different but much better in my opinion. the front headlights look better and more sleek, and also the tailights at the rear are all full LED, not like ours where the top of the range atmos still have a mix of LED with some halogen bulbs for reverse and indicators.

[ALxdCrftPlays]

Toyota New Zealand calls it the Limited version, and is NZ$49k. It has pure leather seats rather than synthetic which you get on the GXL (NZ$44k). Best thing is you can Bully other road users (small cars). Boot space on the hatch variant is smaller than the Toyota Aqua/Prius C. SUV's have a higher ground to floor clearance which is good.

[garrysingh]

I checked it today and i am 175cm and it got plenty of room at front and also back at my driving position. I don’t what are you talking about

[lindsayh]

The autopark and narrow dimensions really help with city parking

[djizzah]

These aren't available in Australia why aren't you telling people?

[sonicshadowsilver]

Why it’s look so similar to Suzuki S Cross?

[wedgett]

Underpowered!? How much power do you want? Go buy a Kona N and fill up the car every few days if you want power 😂

[paulwarner]

Common Toyota how about some plugin hybrids in this part of the world..

[inodesnet]

It's a bit sad watching this from where I live in Japan. There is really a car renaissance going on here in Japan which hopefully the ripples of which will be felt eventually in Australia (if the Australian government ever decides to join the advanced world in encouraging lower emissions (US EPA, Euro VI), better fuel economy (US CAFE), and generally higher fuel quality, not to mention introducing of subsidies that encourage EV and Hybrid drivetrains rather than work against them (e.g. ZLEV Road-User Charge).

The renaissance I am talking about is really about how brands are really changing for the better here in Japan.

The negative side is that Japanese car companies are generally a tad blind to what the world really wants. The Koreas are significantly better at being outwardly looking. So this causes the Japanese car companies to generally develop cars strictly for Japanese tastes (that would perform poorly anywhere else), or Japanese cars that they think international buyers would like.

At the moment Nissan and Mitsubishi are going through revivals only because Renault is kicking them down on high from France.

Mazda and Subaru are both small enough, that long ago they both decided that the Japanese market was not worth wasting their time on and hence are very focused on understanding international markets and sticking to their niche. Mazda of late has been particular impressive with engineering under the skin and Subaru is still getting enough sales from the US market's love of their AWD system to keep them going (just).

But sadly Toyota is a mess.

In Japan they're producing too many very specific Japanese models that it's hard to keep track. Sometimes it's another model, for another models sake (Can anyone really tell the difference between a Voxy and a Noah... and don't get me start about the Raize).

But Toyota's biggest flaw is they think they're too big to fail, and fail to see obvious problems: Design, quality of materials.

I love a perfect review of the new Crown (Called the Toyota Crown in the US). The Toyota flagship is really dissapointing.
In one quote, it sums up every Toyota product of late:

"Toyota brand that has too long been relying on its reputation for long-lasting, simply satisfactory vehicles for repeat shoppers rather than creating something truly compelling."
And this is perfectly - simply satisfactory vehicles with a reputation for being long lasting.

But with the massive amount of plastics, it's a completely slap in the face to make something ugly, insert ugly on the inside and make it out of ugly, only to charge the same as what other car companies that are NOT too big to fail put time and effort into.

Get into any recent Mazda product, then get into any other Japanese made car and the difference is stark. Mazda's attention to detail is a full decade ahead. They might not have the hybrid drivetrain at the moment (not too far off given Toyota wants Mazda tech and is willing to swap their tech), but they certainly have the class and choice of materials.
In this respect the CX-30 feels the price the Toyota is, and the Corolla Cross feels like it should be a good $10k less.

Come on it's time for a wake up call.

[stizzygrayson]

No tyre pressure monitoring at this price point is a joke.

[DavidKent]

Here in New Zealand this is being completely outsold by both the MG ZS EV and BYD Atto 3 EVs as they are full electric, the same size and much the same price.

[geirbalderson]

I would buy one except the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car!! Total fail Toyota!!!