For many years, the Toyota Corolla has been produced and sold all around the world. However, Toyota has taken this familiar car into unexplored territory with the Corolla Cross and now the 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid. Cross vehicles have the same comfort and performance that drivers are familiar with from the Corolla sedan or hatchback, but in a subcompact SUV design.
Beyond their styles, these two models differ in other ways. Koons Tysons Toyota, the top Toyota dealership in Vienna, Virginia, is here to guide you toward the right vehicle. Let’s compare the 2023 Toyota Corolla and the 2023 Corolla Cross to learn more about what makes each model unique.
Corolla vs. Corolla Cross: Engine and Performance
Regardless of whether you’re commuting or exploring new cities, the Corolla Cross is prepared with two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower and a hybrid setup that gets 194 horsepower by adding electric motors to the same engine. Both provide excellent fuel efficiency allowing you to cruise around town or take the scenic route without worrying about wasting gas. The Corolla also has two engine choices: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower and a hybrid configuration with 138 horsepower.
Both Toyota cars offer an optional all-wheel-drive system that improves traction. However, the Corolla Cross is more suitable for off-road driving due to 8.1 inches of ground clearance, rather than 6.7 inches on the regular Corolla. If you’re planning to venture over uneven terrain regularly, the Corolla Cross has the advantage in this area.
Corolla vs. Corolla Cross: Gas Mileage and Towing
The Corolla sedan and its hybrid versions are more efficient than the Cross equivalents, mainly due to their size. The Corolla Hybrid gets up to 52 mpg combined, while the gas-powered Corolla’s fuel economy is 35 mpg combined for hatchbacks or sedans. The Corolla Cross Hybrid gets up to 37 mpg combined compared to the gas-powered Corolla Cross’s fuel economy of 32 mpg combined.
When fitted with the necessary accessories, the 2023 Corolla Cross can pull 1,500 lbs, enough for a modest trailer or camper. No towing information is provided for the 2023 Toyota Corolla as sedans are generally not recommended for that kind of task.
Corolla vs. Corolla Cross: Interior Features and Comfort
Take a seat inside the Toyota Corolla’s cabin; you’ll find it comfortable and thoughtfully designed. Both the sedan and hatchback versions have seating for five passengers. There’s an excellent view in all directions, so front and rear passengers can enjoy a scenic route as much as the driver. The sedan’s rear seats are surprisingly spacious for adults. The hatchback’s second row will fit adults well, but it’s generally intended for younger passengers.
The regular-body Toyota Corolla comes standard with cloth upholstery and manually adjustable front seats. Synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat, front seats inspired by racing with larger side bolsters, and a heated steering wheel are available extras.
The Corolla Cross brings the same overall five-seat cabin with the same standard and optional features. You may opt to add on heated front seats, a leather-wrapped shift knob, a 10-way power driver’s seat, and a flip-down center armrest for rear-seat passengers.
Corolla vs. Corolla Cross: Cargo Space
The Corolla hatchback offers 17.8 cubic feet of trunk capacity compared to the sedan’s 13.1 cubic feet. Depending on whether it has front- or all-wheel drive, the Corolla Cross SUV has 26.5 or 25.2 cubic feet of room behind the back seats. With the second row of seats folded down, those figures increase to 66.8 and 65.5 cubic feet. You can handily haul a family of five and their luggage inside the Corolla Cross. But, the Corolla hatchback has just the right amount of space for smaller families, singles, and couples who’d prefer a more compact design.
Corolla vs. Corolla Cross: Infotainment Features
An eight-inch touch screen, six-speaker audio system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and wireless Bluetooth are all standard on 2023 Corolla and Corolla Cross models. Be sure to take advantage of a free three-month Platinum Plan trial membership of SiriusXM, found on most new Toyota vehicles. For customers who want to take things up a notch, there are upgrades available, including a nine-speaker JBL Premium Audio system and wireless charging, in addition to Toyota’s Service Connect, Drive Connect, Wi-Fi Connect, and Remote Connect suite of features.
Corolla vs. Corolla Cross: Safety Features
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is included as a standard feature on both vehicles. This gives you access to many of the latest driver assistant aids, such as automatic high beams, road sign assist, dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing assist, lane departure alert with steer assist, and a pre-collision mitigation system with pedestrian detection. In addition, a tire pressure monitor system and hill-start assist control are also included.
All model versions of the Corolla Cross have a standard rear-seat reminder with latch lower anchors for the rear seats. Other notable safety features include a collapsible steering column, crumple zones, side-impact door beams, an anti-theft system with an engine immobilizer, nine advanced multi-stage airbags, and a backup camera.
The Corolla Cross and Corolla both received the maximum 5-Star overall rating from crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Corolla, specifically, earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but both are nearly identical in terms of safety.
Corolla vs. Corolla Cross: Buyer Preference
It’s impossible to declare a clear winner between these two excellent Toyota models. The 2023 Corolla is valued for its efficiency, affordability, and high-quality range of standard and optional features. The Corolla Cross is similar but stands out more for its hybrid performance, extra space, towing potential, and off-road ability. If you’d prefer extra legroom and crave a thrilling performance, you’d likely enjoy the Cross or its hybrid model more than a standard Corolla. In either case, both vehicles cover all the bases with practical standard features and offer great savings, with or without a Toyota hybrid engine.
It takes a test drive or two to find something that fits your lifestyle and budget. So consider what benefits you value the most, and be sure to bookmark and browse our inventory. The next time you visit, you’ll know which version of Toyota’s popular Corolla series is on your must-buy list. Koons Tysons Toyota also has the best new Toyota specials, so be sure to check our website for the best deals on the Corolla and Corolla Cross.
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