2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade

The Corolla Cross Hybrid, introduced in 2023, is the epitome of car-as-appliance—and that’s not a knock. It’s practical, efficient, reliable, and a good value. We tested the Hybrid Nightshade edition, the midlevel SE trim decked out with 18-inch black alloy wheels, black-and-red seating, and other unique styling features. If you’re into Corollas, the Cross Hybrid should top your list. It has more cargo space than the Corolla sedan, gets much better fuel economy than the non-hybrid Cross (42 mpg versus 30 mpg), has the most powerful drivetrain of any Corolla (196 hp versus 169 hp), and comes with standard AWD. The Cross Hybrid is an easy daily driver—comfortable, with lightweight steering and decent (if slightly spongy) braking. Added pluses include plenty of legroom and headroom for front-seat passengers, a full suite of ADAS features (unfortunately, blind-spot warning isn’t available on the base trim), and a useful selection of standard convenience features—for example, LED headlights, automatic climate control, remote keyless entry, push-button ignition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Complaints about the Cross Hybrid include a drivetrain that’s rough and noisy under hard acceleration (and could use a little more power), an abundance of hard plastics and other cheap materials in the cabin, and a cramped back seat. Finally (although it won’t matter to some prospective owners) the Cross Hybrid just isn’t much fun—let alone exciting—to drive.