2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Limited Hybrid Review

There was a time when Corolla was the best selling vehicle for Toyota. It was especially popular as a rental. It had legendary reliability, and rode and handled well. Corolla was also big enough for couples with a tot or pet. And the price was right.

Then the rise of the SUV began. Compact sedans lost their lustre and then compact hatches as well. For a time compact crossovers ran second to medium SUVs. But as price creep began to bite, suddenly compact crossovers were number one. 

Now we find price creep has become rampant. The latest Corolla Cross in its top variant, the new GR Corolla Cross is asking $55,900 drive away. Mind you, it is an AWD variant. A rather dressy one at that, with a body kit and suspension updates. It has taken over from the Limited AWD variant, so now there’s just the one Limited Corolla Cross on offer, without the AWD bit, and selling for $51,990. Okay, two if you include the same thing with a black roof at $52,990. It isn’t just butter that has become expensive.

The Corolla Cross underwent a recent cut and tuck, which meant more gear for the entry models, much of it in the safety suite. And upper level models are specced to the nines. This Limited model comes with heated and ventilated seats, finished mainly in leatherette, and even a heated wheel. Seats are powered as well, even the lumbar support. Also present are an electric fifth door, a self-parking system and panoramic roof with sunblind. Going back 15 years these were features of the executive or premium set. And yet it still has the Corolla badge. How times have changed. 

There’s much more to this car than just spec but one thing we should just mention is that the central screen is primarily for infotainment. There’s a separate area below for controlling the dual zone AC system while the instruments and trip meter are easy enough to fathom and use. And there are many actual buttons for changing things like drive mode etc. 

On that, this hybrid runs a 2.0L 112kW/188Nm naturally aspirated engine that drinks 91. Through an electronically controlled CVT, it works with a motor arrangement good for 83kW and 206Nm. That’s for assistance off the mark and in overtaking situations. It can power the vehicle alone at times. Energy comes from a small lithium ion battery pack (0.91kWh). The ‘self-charging’ hybrid is evidently capable of 4.1L/100km overall. For a machine of this size with a 2.0L engine that seems quite remarkable. And driven carefully you can meet that figure. On flat sections of the motorway we’d sometimes see fuel use numbers in the threes. Like most such hybrids this will immediately go into EV at the first sign of down-hill running. But it can also maintain that on the flat providing you don’t bear down on the throttle too much. Not for long mind as the battery soon runs out of juice. And you’d only ever consider towing a light trailer with this, given its 750kg towing capacity, braked or otherwise. 

As for performance, it is surprisingly gratifying with system output of 143kW (torque not stated). It gets away from the lights in breezy fashion and you’d be amazed how quick it is in Sport mode. It’s no faster than when we last tested it three years ago but still manages to hit 100 in under 8sec, while an overtake requires 5sec. So don’t just think of this as a fuel miser per se. It has a genuine turn of speed should you need it. 

And to go with that is a most gratifying ride and handling combo. Think of this as being car-like to drive, thanks to its handy Michelin Primacy 4 rubber and TNGA-C platform, the same as that underpinning Prius. And with a battery sited towards the rear, it feels well balanced. Perhaps the best bit though is that it only ever feels lightweight. That’s because it weighs under 1500kg. And its steering doesn’t feel digital, all helping with handling. Meantime the ride is not only well controlled and compliant but also quiet, with no SPL readings on coarse chip into the seventies. A nine-speaker JBL sound system adds to its premium vibe. 

If we had any real complaints with this, there’s a bit much in the way of hard plastics in the boot (which is well shaped and good for 417L of gear) and up front as well where it is less noticeable. 

I guess the other issue is price. Certainly there are like-sized but less expensive models available now for this kind of money, some PHEVs even. But they will be heavier and without quite the handling and ride chops that this offers. Families with bigger kids will probably opt for RAV4 instead but they should hold off until the next generation dots down. Meantime, the Corolla Cross range kicks off at $44,990 for the GX Hybrid. And prices are drive-away.  

Toyota Corolla Cross Limited Hybrid
$51,990  /  4.1L/100km  /  95g/km
0-100 km/h 7.82s
Engine  1987cc,  IL4 
Max power  112kW
Max torque  188Nm
Hybrid system output  143kW
Drivetrain  e-CVT, FWD
Weight (claimed)  1485kg