Why The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is Pure Genius

The Toyota Corolla has just been one of those cars that really change the way we drive. Its success has been seen worldwide in almost every continent. It’s affordable, reliable, and efficient. However, it’s really not the car to drive cross country. If you have a family of four, chances are you either have a really big sedan or a small-sized SUV. Toyota knows that they need to fill in the light SUV market. To do this, they turned the Corolla into an SUV. And a good SUV at that.

However today, Toyota announced in a press release that it is stepping up its Corolla Cross game and making it a hybrid bringing not only comfort and space to your Corolla Cross but also great gas mileage. And in this day and age, good gas mileage is a must.

According to the press release, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross is said to get a “manufacturer-estimated 37 combined MPG for all grades.” That is pretty good considering the starting price of a 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is around $23,000. Now, of course, the hybrid version is going to be a little more expensive but compare that with other hybrid mini-SUVs and you got yourself a great deal. Not only is the hybrid system good but you also get a lot of new amenities with your 2023 Corolla Cross.

The press release also stated that even though the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross makes 194 horsepower, it still gets the performance word used a lot in the press release. Even though 194 horsepower is not a lot for an SUV that size, it still gets the hybrid treatment which means it’ll have mid torque ratings. It has a 0-60mph of 8.0 seconds. Now I understand that this car is not meant for performance but even for getting up to speed, 8 seconds is extremely slow.

Also, according to the press release, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid will come in three grades. S, SE, and XSE, as well as the familiar LE and XLE grades. The S and SE grades come standard with 17-inch Alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen, a sport-tuned suspension, LED head and tail lamps, and smart key access. For other trims, you also get specific amenities for them like paddle shifters and heated seats.

You also get some cool colors such as Wind Chill Pearl ($425 extra-color cost), Sonic Silver, Metallic Jet, Black Mica, Barcelona Red, Metallic Cypress, and Blue Crush Metallic.

Along with every Corolla Cross, you also get your standers Toyota Multi-Media system with USB-C ports and over-the-air updates making your trips to the dealer less frequent. Services like voice command and subscription-based services will also be available. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are also standard.

Here is the genius of it. Because Toyota is the top player in the hybrid vehicle game, they know that when there is a need for a new style of car, mini-SUV, LCV, or any other type, they can just make it a hybrid and market it to those who would want a car of that style, yet also would want a hybrid. This success was proven by the Tundra Hybrid, the RAV4 Hybrid and Prime, and even the Sienna Hybrid.

This is why I think that the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is going to be very successful because it fills two niches that are both related. If I want a cheap mini-SUV, I more than likely want it as a hybrid as well.

What do you think? Would you buy a Corolla Cross Hybrid? Let us know in the comments below.

Harutiun Hareyan is reporting Toyota news at Torque News. His automotive interests and vast experience test-riding new cars give his stories a sense of authenticity and unique insights. Follow Harutiun on Twitter at @HareyanHarutiun for daily Toyota news.