Regardless of its powertrain, the crossover continues to sell like a hot cake. Even in the electrified arena, the Tesla Model Y remains the best-selling model worldwide, with 1.2 million units sold in 2024. Higher driving heights, higher internal space and balanced fuel economy are just the reasons why consumers choose to choose. Crossovers on sedans and SUVs.
Whether you are a loyal enthusiast or don’t know about cars, you’ve heard of Toyota Corolla. More than 50 years ago, Corolla has become a major part of the Hyundai automotive industry due to its high efficiency and value design.
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The identification of the name was exactly what Toyota was counting on when Japanese automakers introduced the Toyota Corolla Cross to the field. Basically, it’s a taller Corolla sedan with more interior space, and the Corolla Cross brings practical, value-for-design consumer expectations for Toyota.
Apart from the new finishing options, the Toyota Corolla Cross has no changes in the 2025 model model, with three gas and four mixed trim levels. The base corolla cross starts at $24,035, while the hybrid trim will cost you $28,395. For our purposes, this time we will place the natural gas-only Toyota Corolla Cross under a microscope.
The Toyota Corolla Cross is a practical crossover, albeit a little overwhelmed
When it comes to Toyota, practicality is the name of the game, and the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross sticks to that formula. This is definitely not a bad thing, but in such a fierce segment, Toyota may drive luck. The Corolla Cross starts at $24,035, and its reputation relies on reliability, affordable prices, and designs that win consumers as an everyday driver.
Only three trim levels of the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross are available in just one powertrain, which is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with front-wheel drive. The power supply is directed through a CVT and sits at 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. The powertrain lacks performance, making up for fuel economy, with the 2025 Corolla Cross revenues up to 31 MPG, 33 highway MPG and 32 MPG.
Although the FWD becomes standard, all-wheel drive is an available upgrade, it will add an additional $1,300 to the price of this model. Promoting an upgrade will also reduce fuel economy across the board. In such a popular segment, the Toyota Corolla Cross is comparable to many close competitors.
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Starting at $25,400, the Honda HR-V is powered by a 158-horsepower engine that earns up to 28 MPG. The Mazda CX-30 starts at $24,995 and has a 191-horsepower engine that earns up to 29 MPG. The Hyundai Kona starts at $24,450 and has a 147-horsepower engine that is rated at 31 mpg.
Compared to the Toyota Corolla Cross, the 2025 Mazda CX-30 not only starts at a slightly higher price, but also comes with a better spec sheet. The Mazda CX-30 2.5 S comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. This combination brings out 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. It also comes with a standard AWD, making it one of the best value in its segment.
Who is the closest competitor to the Corolla Cross?
If we were going to fight Toyota, we really couldn’t ignore Honda, right? The 2025 Honda HR-V starts at $25,400, which is nearly $1,400 more than the basic Toyota Corolla Cross. Just like its Toyota competitors, the 2025 HR-V has seen a slight price increase since the previous year.
The Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V are equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with CVT and FWD. The AWD is available on both models, with the Toyota Corolla Cross priced at $1,300 and the Honda HR-V priced at $1,500.
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Although both crossovers come with the same size engine, the Toyota Corolla Cross won the performance and efficiency. The engine makes 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque while earning up to 31 MPG and 33 MPG. The HR-V is short of engines, delivering 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque while earning 26 city MPGs and 32 MPGs.
When it comes to infotainment, the basic Toyota Corolla Cross also has an advantage, with an eight-inch touchscreen display, a six-speaker audio system, and wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility.
The base Honda HR-V comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display, a quad-speaker audio system, and wired Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility. As for safety, both models are accompanied by the active safety technology suite of their respective manufacturers.
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In terms of internal space, the story is a little different. The Toyota Corolla Cross has an almost identical interior with a Corolla sedan, but with more cargo space. The Honda HR-V offers more passenger space, up to 98.7 cubic feet, beating Toyota’s rival 94.9 cubic feet. The HR-V TAPS comes with cargo seats up to 24.5 cubic feet, rear seats with rear seats rising to 24.5 cubic feet only on the 24 cubic feet of the Toyota Corolla Cross, while the rear seats are Fold to a maximum of 55.1 cubic feet of space.
Unfortunately, Toyota does not provide internal measurements for the cargo space of the Corolla Cross, with the rear seats folding down.
The final thought
Admittedly, the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross is worth $24,035, largely due to its impressive list of fuel economy and amenities. If you are looking for a new car at a reasonable price but requires more space than a standard Corolla sedan, the Corolla Cross is the obvious choice.
Like fellow sedans, the Toyota Corolla Cross is a crossover that focuses on the practicality of being a daily driver. It will take you from A to B, but it won’t have any decoration or thrill that competitors may bring.
If you’re looking for a more dynamic driving experience, the Mazda MX-30 has a standard 191 horsepower and six-speed automatic transmission, which is a great choice. It starts at under $25,000, making it the same price range as the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross.
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