2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Review

Toyota’s 2024 Corolla Cross is a subcompact crossover SUV starting at $23,860. This model distinguishes itself from the standard 2024 Toyota Corolla with more cargo room and versatility while checking many of the boxes its standard counterpart is known for, such as affordability.

MotoPickers Rating: 7.1/10

The increasing popularity of SUVs in the US plays a central role in the 2024 Corolla Cross’ appeal, as it provides elements like a higher seating position while remaining an ideal size for drivers not seeking a mid-size or full-size option. Despite its smaller size, the 2024 Corolla Cross has a roomy interior that we’ll explore more in-depth later in our review.

There are no significant changes to the 2024 production Corolla Cross outside the LE and XLE trims receiving updated wireless charging. The 2024 Corolla Cross is part of the model’s first generation, which hit roads in 2022. This Toyota has an extensive list of standard advanced driver-assist features on paper.

Hoping into its interior reveals seat and ride comfortability, as well as a cargo area double the size of a standard Corolla sedan. However, we also found that it has limited rear legroom while lacking a fun factor. For example, the four-cylinder engine isn’t potent, but we’ll see how these pros and cons stack up against competitors.

The 2024 Corolla Cross’ rivals include:

• Honda’s HR-V
• Mazda’s CX-30
• Hyundai’s Kona
• Kia’s Seltos
• Chevrolet’s Trailblazer
• Nissan’s Kicks
• Subaru’s Crosstrek

Determine whether the 2024 Corolla Cross aligns with your driving needs and preferences with the rest of our review below.

Exterior spotlight

Elements like clean and well-placed lines and flared fenders characterize the 2024 Corolla Cross’ exterior. While the lines are well-placed, especially on areas such as the sides, this subcompact SUV presents a conservative outside design. Wheel sizes measure from 17” to 18”, with options including 18” black-painted machined-finish alloy wheels. Many gravitate toward the SUV segment for increased utility, but some practical features, such as roof rails, aren’t standard within the base L grade.

Regarding lighting, LED headlights are standard, with LED fog lights, LED daytime running lights (DRLs), and LED taillights remaining optional. Both taillights and headlights can have a dark-accented Nightshade appearance, which blends alongside standard features like black rocker panels and overfenders. Exterior badging is chrome in its standard configuration, with a black-out option available as part of sport styling. Additional sport styling elements include a smoked front Toyota emblem.

The front grille comes in a standard black configuration or an available black with metallic paint design. Toyota offers the following single and two-tone color schemes for the 2024 Corolla Cross’ exterior:

• Barcelona Red Metallic/Jet Black roof
• Blue Crush Metallic/Jet Black roof
• Sonic Silver/Jet Black roof
• Acidic Blast/Jet Black roof
• Celestite/Jet Black Roof
• Celestite
• Wind Chill Pearl
• Cypress
• Barcelona Red Metallic
• Blue Crush Metallic
• Sonic Silver
• Jet Black

Side mirrors come with standard power-folding and heated functionality, and available chrome side-window frame molding can add a tasteful layer to the conservative design. Honda’s HR-V, Mazda’s CX-30, Hyundai’s Kona, Kia’s Seltos, Chevrolet’s Trailblazer, and Nissan’s Kicks all contain more dynamic exterior designs, while Subaru’s Crosstrek presents a more rugged layout. However, Hyundai’s Kona and Nissan’s Kicks have smaller 16” base wheels.

Interior analysis

Toyota’s 2024 Corolla Cross offers seating for up to five passengers with fabric-trimmed or SofTex-trimmed upholstery. The fabric-trimmed upholstery receives aesthetic support from red accents and stitching, while outboard headrests are adjustable. A driver can have a standard 6-way manually adjustable seat or a 10-way power-adjustable seat with lumbar support. The front passenger seat contains a 4-way manually-adjustable design.

One of this subcompact crossover SUV’s most significant downsides is its decision to limit heated front seats to the peak XLE trim. The gas-powered 2024 Corolla Cross comes in three grades, while the hybrid version is available in four. Satin-finish door handles help fill out the cabin, while the rear cargo area offers 24 cubic feet (cu. ft.) of storage, or 61.8 cu. ft. with the rear row down. You can fold the rear row via its 60/40 split configuration.

Additional interior features like ambient lighting, a leather-trimmed shift knob, and an auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror are available. The auto-dimming rearview mirror automatically adjusts to reduce glare from trailing cars’ headlights. The air conditioning system is single-zone instead of dual-zone, and a power tilt/slide moonroof is optional.

Three of the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross’ redeeming interior qualities are its ample headroom, comfortable seats, and smooth ride quality. Comparatively, the 2024 Toyota Corolla’s driver’s seat comes with an 8-way or 6-way power adjustable configuration, while the front passenger setup remains the same with 4-way adjustment capability.

Trunk cargo capacity is far more limited in the standard Corolla at 13.1 cu. ft. and cabin options such as piano-black accents and soft-touch door and dashboard materials enhance the cabin’s atmosphere. Mazda’s CX-30 and Hyundai’s Kona exceed the 2024 Corolla Cross’ interior materials with available leather, while Honda’s HR-V offers best-in-class rear legroom.

Power and performance

The 2024 Corolla Cross offers available all-wheel drive, electronic AWD with its hybrid variant, or front-wheel drive (FWD). A non-hybrid Corolla Cross has a poky engine producing 169 horsepower and 151 lb.-ft. of torque, while its hybrid counterpart delivers 196 horsepower but lower torque at 139 lb.-ft.

Mileage ranges from 29-31 MPG in the city and 31-33 MPG on the highway with the gas-powered Corolla Cross, and 45/38 city/highway for the hybrid version. This Toyota is equipped with standard independent MacPherson strut front suspension with a stabilizer bar, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers. The Corolla Cross Hybrid kicks this up a notch with sport-tuned suspension, providing more dynamic handling.

Standard Corolla Cross drivers get a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while Corolla Cross Hybrid drivers have an electronic ECT (ECVT). The non-Cross Corolla sedan matches the gas-powered Corolla Cross’ horsepower and torque, but the non-Cross Corolla hybrid is far less powerful with 138 horsepower and 105 lb.-ft. of torque. Mileage helps compensate within the hybrid version at up to 53 MPG in the city and 46 MPG on the highway.

Each 2024 Corolla Cross has Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes. The 2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid has paddle shifters on its steering wheel, but the model’s weak horsepower and torque make this addition somewhat unnecessary. You’ll find more horsepower and torque within the Mazda CX-30, but the Corolla Cross’ specs in this performance category are on par for the segment, with rivals like Nissan’s 2024 Kicks only producing 122 horsepower and 114 lb.-ft. of torque.

While the 2024 Corolla Cross hybrid produces more horsepower than the gas-powered version, the non-hybrid variant could benefit from adding an optional turbocharged engine to become more competitive with models like the CX-30, which offer 191 horsepower and 186 lb.-ft. of torque.

Tech overview

This subcompact Toyota SUV’s touchscreen measures 8” while its available fully digital gauge cluster spans 4” or 7” in its optional version. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the available sound system has a decent number of speakers at nine with a subwoofer and JBL amplifier. Another available feature worth considering is the power liftgate, which is adjustable in height and can be opened with a key fob or liftgate button.

Connected services

The 2024 Corolla Cross’ connected services include:

• Remote Connect
• WiFi Connect
• Safety Connect
• Drive Connect
• Service Connect

Remote Connect, which allows you to wirelessly perform actions like locking/unlocking doors, starting the engine, and vehicle location tracking, is accessible through Toyota’s smartphone app. WiFi Connect provides hotspot capability while Safety Connect gets you in touch with 24/7 roadside and emergency assistance when necessary.

Drive Connect facilitates features like Cloud Navigation, Destination Assist, which puts you in contact with a live agent, and the Intelligent Assistant. Service Connect is present, so you don’t have to worry about missing this SUV’s standard recommended maintenance intervals. The standard 2024 Corolla mirrors the Corolla Cross’ tech layout.

Quick rival comparison: tech

If you’re seeking a larger touchscreen than the 2024 Corolla Cross’—look towards Hyundai’s Kona, which has a 12.3” option, and Subaru’s Crosstrek with an available 11.6” display. The 2024 Hyundai Kona also has the largest digital cluster display option, measuring 12.3”, with the Kia Seltos trailing in second place at 10.25”.

While the 2024 Corolla Cross’ available 9-speaker JBL audio system provides decent capability, it’s outperformed by the Mazda CX-30, which contains an optional 12-speaker Bose sound setup.

Safety capabilities

The 2024 Corolla Cross thrives in the safety category with its Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and peak five-star rating from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). Both the IIHS and NHTSA evaluate vehicle crash protection capabilities. These safety capabilities are part of the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system, which includes:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Proactive Driving Assist
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Automatic High Beams
• Road Sign Assist
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection feature can check the road for an increased risk of front crashes with bicyclists and other cars in addition to pedestrians. When triggered by a hazard, a driver will receive audio and visual warnings before the system activates automatic braking. Proactive Driving Assist uses camera and radar technology to offer subtle automatic brake or steering inputs while you enter curves or to increase the following distance to a safer amount of feet.

Lane Tracing Assist and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist stay true to their names by alerting you of lane drifting without an active turn signal, but it outperforms some competitors’ systems by supplying automatic steering assistance alongside audible and visual warnings. Automatic High-Beams eliminate the need for pesky manual adjustments of your brights at night, and Road Sign Assist keeps you informed of essential posted road information like speed limits via your display.

Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control uses automatic braking and acceleration to maintain a secure distance from cars you’re following, and its full-speed capability is noteworthy since some competing versions only work at speeds above a certain threshold.

Available safety features

Optional safety features for the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross consist of the Blind-Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Adaptive Front-Lighting System.

Trim guide and owner considerations

Keep reading to learn the starting prices and some distinguishing features of each 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross trim.

L (gas-powered) – $23,860

LED headlights, an 8” touchscreen, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto supply the base L grade with some decent value

LE (gas-powered) – $26,190

LE drivers get more thorough protection with the Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

XLE (gas-powered) – $28,085

SofTex-trimmed seats and black-painted machined finish 18” alloy wheels set the XLE apart from lower trims.

Hybrid S – $28,220

The Hybrid S Corolla Cross is equipped with a smoked front Toyota emblem, matte-black outside mirrors, and a 4.2” instrument cluster.

Hybrid SE – $29,540

A Hybrid SE variant allows you to select two-tone exterior color schemes.

Hybrid Nightshade – $30,465

Black exterior accents and a red/black fabric interior give the Hybrid Nightshade Corolla Cross distinct character.

Hybrid XSE – $31,405

A hybrid XSE offers the optional sound system, ambient lighting, and power liftgate as standard.

Warranty info

Toyota gives 2024 Corolla Cross buyers a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 10-year/150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty.

Final verdict

Toyota’s 2024 Corolla Cross offers more practicality than the standard Corolla, with increased cargo capacity and a higher seating position. However, that’s about it, as the vehicles are otherwise essentially the same. The 2024 Corolla Cross’ exterior has decent aesthetics, but its interior feels uninspiring and dull. Rear legroom is also lagging behind competitors.

This subcompact SUV does as expected by providing reliability and a value-driven price tag, so we’re giving it a 7.1/10. Rivals such as Mazda’s CX-30 offer more horsepower, torque, and higher-quality interior materials for a similar starting price of $24,995. Drivers seeking a more dynamic design can also opt for the Corolla Hatchback, which has more engaging driving dynamics with a lower center of gravity.