TOYOTA Corolla Cross (US) Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Creating a small-sized crossover based on the Corolla's platform was just one step made by Toyota to gain an advantage in this market segment, but adding the hybrid version was the right way to do it.

But the Japanese automaker didn't start with that when it launched the Corolla Cross on the American Continent for the 2022 model-year. Still, the carmaker said that it would eventually launch a hybrid version in early 2023 for the 2024 model-year, and that's what it did at the NYIAS in April 2023. Along with the new drivetrain, the vehicle also featured some styling updates.

Thus, the front fascia received a broader black grille that covered most of the front lower bumper. In addition, the design of the upper air intake was redesigned and featured a body-colored horizontal slat interrupted by the company's logo. In the back, there were no significant differences. Even though it looked very similar to its European sibling, it wasn't identical.

Inside, the U.S. version of the Corolla Hybrid surprised its customers with regular analog dials inside the instrument cluster. The large tachometer and speedometer also housed the gauges for the coolant's temperature and the fuel level, respectively. In addition, atop the center stack, in a free-floating position, the automaker installed the touchscreen for the infotainment system.

But the most crucial upgrade was for the drivetrain. Here, the Japanese automaker installed a gasoline engine that moved the front wheels, while an electric motor could kick in when needed, powering the rear axle.

Toyota introduced a crossover vehicle based on the same platform as the Corolla in 2021 and named it Corolla Cross.

Some might remember that the Japanese carmaker built the first Rav4 generation on top of a Corolla platform back in 1994. Over time the ties between the two models became barely visible. But since the original concept of a light crossover built on the same platform as its best-selling nameplate model was good, the carmaker did it again and thus resulted in the Corolla Cross.

Based on the same TNGA-C (Toyota New Global Architecture-Compact) platform as the Corolla, the Cross version featured a different design than its known hatchback sibling. It looked more like the way a Rav4 should be, with a broad trapezoidal grille at the front and a pair of slim, swept-back headlights. In addition, the carmaker placed unpainted, black plastic moldings on the lower side of the bodywork to protect the paint from scratches.

Inside, the Corolla Cross retained most of the features that made the Corolla a best-selling car in the Toyota lineup. Inside the instrument panel, the carmaker placed two large dials with two additional gauges on their lower side for the coolant temperature and fuel level. On the right side of the cluster, a TFT display showed information from the onboard computer. Atop the center stack, Toyota’s designers placed a floating-looking infotainment screen.

Thanks to its SUV-like profile, the Corolla Cross was a new alternative in the crossover market, and Toyota built it with rear- or all-wheel-drive system. Under the hood, the carmaker installed an inline-four, naturally aspirated, gasoline engine paired either with a CVT.