While squeezed between the C-HR and the RAV4, the Corolla Cross has more to offer than Toyota’s crowded SUV lineup suggests
Half a century ago, automakers often made several different sizes of sedans. Today, as SUVs and crossovers have taken over our roads, automakers are doing the same thing. For example, what if someone owns a Toyota C-HR and is ready for something a bit bigger? The RAV4 might seem like the obvious choice, but what if that feels too big?
Since 2021, the answer has been this: the Corolla Cross, a vehicle that fits perfectly between the other two. It rests in this Goldilocks zone while still leveraging the TNGA-C platform that underpins the C-HR. Now, for 2026, it’s getting some significant upgrades worthy of consideration.
To find out how good this everyday crossover is, we traveled to Sonoma, California, to try it out in gas and hybrid flavors. There, we drove it on the road and off-road. In the end, the result wasn’t all that surprising. Toyota could’ve called this the RAV4 Jr., and it would’ve been just as fitting.
Styling
Exterior design is one place where the 2026 Corolla Cross starts to differentiate itself from past versions. The front fascia is different for both gas and hybrid models. In fact, it makes telling the two apart quite simple. The gas-burning Corolla Cross gets a somewhat blocky grille with large hexagonal vents on the upper section. Toyota says it’s a “bold, rugged design that is built to stand out.” Cool.
More: Even Toyota Thinks Their Small SUV Looks Too Boring
On the flip side, the hybrid Corolla Cross gets a grille that looks like it came straight off a Lexus RX. First and foremost, it’s color-matched to whichever paint color a buyer picks. Second, it features an interwoven, almost basket-like look that blends into solid edges with more aggressive side intakes than you’ll see on the gas Corolla Cross.
In person, both look modern, sleek, and refined. Will they stand out in the gigantic population of SUVs and crossovers on sale today? Probably not, but we appreciate Toyota at least having a bit of fun and making each one unique to the degree it did. On top of these changes, Toyota is also adding a new Calvary Blue paint color for 2026 and a two-tone option with Calvary Blue and Jet Black. They look great under the California sun.
Interior Quality
The Corolla Cross shines brightest in its cabin. One of the things that made the RAV4 the car that it is today was its mix of practicality, interior space, and quality. The Corolla Cross follows that recipe with a cabin design that is very mature. The seats in the XLE and XSE are very nice for the class. The former gets faux leather upholstery that we expect buyers will really like. The latter gets a blend of faux leather and blue-stitched fabric that looks very attractive. Both are very comfortable, supportive, and adjustable, though keep in mind that power-adjustment isn’t available across the range.
The dash is angular with subtle soft edges. The lower section is soft touch, as is the upper section of the door cards. The steering wheel isn’t as elegant-looking, but it doesn’t feel overly cheap. The switchgear there and on the center console feels good to use. Toyota equips this car with physical buttons for the climate control and for frequently-used settings like heated seats, drive modes, and more.
If there’s any miss at all when it comes to switchgear, it’s the volume buttons. That’s right, forget knobs, you’ll turn your volume up and down with buttons only. In addition, there’s an interesting technical glitch.
Let’s say you’re listening to music or an audiobook, and a voice memo from a friend comes in. Should you go to listen to that message and then decide that you need to turn the volume up or down, the audiobook or music you’re listening to will come back on while the message plays. Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay add a little more flexibility and configurability. The optional JBL sound system is nice, too. It’s not as full or crisp as we’d like, but this is an economy car in the end.
Despite that, the rear seats are spacious and well contoured. Occupants back there don’t get much in the way of amenities, but space itself is a luxury, and there’s plenty of it, even for taller folks. XSE and XLE buyers also get a folding armrest with cupholders. Behind the second row, buyers will find up to 24 cubic feet of cargo space. Under the floor lies a space-saver spare wheel and tire with the tools needed to swap it.
Drive Impressions
On the road, the Corolla Cross is about as predictable as it gets, but let’s talk specs first. Two things that aren’t changing for 2026 are the powertrain options for the Corolla Cross. Gas-burning versions get a four-cylinder engine that makes 169 hp (126 kW). It sends that power through a continuously variable transmission to the front wheels unless the buyer specifies all-wheel drive. Notably, Toyota includes a real first gear that helps the Corolla Cross feel more spry from a dead stop. Toyota estimates it’ll get 32 mpg combined. We achieved 28.3.
Read: GR Built The Corolla Cross You Wanted But Decided You Don’t Deserve It
The hybrid also uses a four-cylinder engine but pairs it with a small battery and a trio of motors to produce a system output of 196 hp (146 kW). Notably, the Corolla Cross hybrid comes standard with all-wheel drive. Toyota says that it can get up to 42 mpg combined under the right circumstances. Driving it at Sonoma isn’t what we’d call the ‘right circumstances’ as we struggled to achieve 38 mpg in our testing. Actual owners will likely have no issue.
From behind the wheel, these crossovers feel very similar, as they should. The gas model is decidedly less engaging, and, interestingly, the tire noise is louder. The hybrid quiets that noise down and gets a healthy boost of power, but don’t expect anything genuinely exciting.
Toyota admits that it’ll take owners 8 full seconds to go from 0-60 mph. Having tried it, I believe that figure. And those who try it for themselves will experience the engine drone only a CVT can provide.
Imagine loading this thing up with camping gear and people, as Toyota suggested consumers do. It would be considerably slower, and that’s to say nothing of the gas-only version, which might be capable of going from 0-60 mph in a touch over nine seconds. Again, that’s with no passengers and no cargo, which is sort of the entire point of having a crossover. That all said, the rest of the driving experience is perfectly pedestrian.
The steering is communicative, the pedals are likewise, and while there is noticeable body roll when pushed hard, most people will probably like the way this car moves through the world. It soaks up bumps well. Visibility is good, too, which came in handy when we took the Corolla Cross off-road. Toyota set up a campsite on one of the foothills surrounding Sonoma Raceway.
Climbing up there required some travel on a very soft dirt road with a couple of semi-steep pitches. Keep in mind that basically any car with even a little more than average ground clearance could have made this climb. That said, the Corolla Cross did an admirable job without faltering even once. In addition, those who go for the gas-only version can get up to a 1,500-lb towing capacity.
Pricing And Trims
Toyota offers the Corolla Cross in three trims based on its powerplant. The gas-only version comes in L, LE, and XLE trims. The hybrid comes in S, SE, and XSE trims. The bottom two trims for each version get cloth upholstery, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, an 8-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, LED tail lights, and LED headlights. Upper trims get 18-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, LED fog lights, dual-zone climate control, a tonneau cover, and more. All Corolla Crosses get Toyota Safety Sense 3.0.
Gas models start at $24,635 before a $1,495 destination and handling fee. Those who go for the fully loaded XLE will pay over $35,000, which seems pretty steep, but we’ll circle back to that. Hybrids begin at $28,995 and top out just under $38,000; still, that’s a decent value considering it gets all-wheel drive as standard and can achieve up to 42 mpg.
Competition
For those buying up the low-end grades of the Corolla Cross, the L and S, this SUV is a genuinely solid value. For example, we really like the Chevrolet Trax because it’s well-equipped and maxes out at around $27,800. For that same money, buyers can get a larger, more comfortable, hybrid Corolla Cross with standard all-wheel drive, a lot more power, and far better fuel economy. As the price goes higher, the competition starts to get tougher for Toyota.
For example, anyone willing to spend $35,000 on the gas-only Corolla Cross has a lot of very tempting options. The Honda HR-V is a very similar and practical option. The Kia Seltos offers far better warranty coverage and snazzier looks. The Mazda CX-30 is the driver’s choice. And let’s not forget that the upcoming all-new RAV4 comes standard as a hybrid and will likely start around $35,000. It’ll have even more space, more power, and it’ll get more than 32 mpg combined.
Final Thoughts
If you squint a little, the 2026 Corolla Cross starts to feel less like a big member of the Corolla family and more like a throwback to the RAV4’s glory days. Remember when the first-gen RAV4 was a tidy, car-like crossover that delivered big-car practicality without big-car bloat?
That’s exactly the lane the Corolla Cross is running in. It offers the kind of size, comfort, and cargo space that would’ve worn a RAV4 badge not too long ago, and it does it with Toyota’s trademark blend of bulletproof build quality and sensible pricing, at least in the lower trims.
That’s not to say the Corolla Cross is perfect. The gas version is slower than a RAV4 ever was, and tire noise will remind you you’re not in a Lexus. But the hybrid smooths things out, bumps the power, and delivers economy numbers that even the current RAV4 Hybrid can’t ignore. For a lot of buyers, that’s going to feel like the sweet spot… just enough SUV to handle a Costco run, without the size or price of the 2026 RAV4.
Call it a Corolla if you want, but the Corolla Cross is carrying the RAV4 torch for a new generation of crossover shoppers. In a world where every model seems to grow a size up every few years, Toyota’s newest “little big” SUV proves that sometimes, the middle really is just right.
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Stephen, affectionately known as Rivers, has gracefully transitioned from being a repair shop manager and… Read full bio
