'Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid' Review: A Superb City SUV

With a widespread societal shift to a more environmentally-friendly mindset, almost every industry has made an effort to be more “green” with its products/services. This is perhaps most evident with automobile brands, as electric vehicles and hybrid cars aim to mitigate the negative effects of CO2 emissions (and save money on petrol). Attempting to make its mark within this niche area of the market, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid successfully establishes itself as a superb city SUV. For those looking for a comfortable vehicle for their daily travels, this might be the right model for you.

As we began our week with the Corolla Cross 1.8XS CVT HV, it took a few journeys to get used to the silent activation of the hybrid engine. As the electric battery propels the vehicle up to 25km/h, the start of your travels is accompanied by little noise. This feels quite odd at first but soon becomes rather peaceful once you get used to it. 

In and around city roads, the Cross Hybrid is certainly capable and performs well. However, when attempting faster speeds, it does seem to lack the power that would make it ideal for long distances on the highway. As far as petrol consumption goes, Toyota claims a figure of 4.3l/100km although we found it to be closer to 6.2l/100km. With that being said, it is still more fuel-efficient than many vehicles in the compact SUV category. 

Sitting within the luxurious interior of the Corolla Cross Hybrid is an impressive experience that elevates every drive. The partial leather seat trim is quite comfortable and the overall styling of the dashboard/console exhibits a modern design that is extremely functional. The display does lack a few elements that would have been welcome but it still manages to offer a variety of features that will notably benefit the driver and passengers.

Viewing the model from the outside, its sleek appearance exudes a confidence that is prominent without being flashy. The Toyota design team have long been praised for their well-crafted exteriors and the Corolla Cross Hybrid is no different.

Costing R425 400, the Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8XS CVT HV comes at an exceptionally reasonable price when you consider its technology and overall quality. It may not be the right vehicle for those wishing to embark on long business trips, but for the city driver with an environmental conscience, it is hard to turn it down.