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2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid AWD - Re- Driven Review

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid AWD - Re- Driven Review
2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade AWD: America's first and, currently, only volume hybrid urban crossover utility vehicle is Made in the U.S.A.

As a reminder of that segment innovation, Roadblazing.com editors took time for a re-drive review of the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

NEW FOR '25 on Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid AWD:

  • New exterior color: Soul Crystal Red (combined with Jet Black roof on Nightshade package)

INTRODUCED on 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid AWD:

  • Nightshade appearance package (exterior & interior) - built upon SE trim
    • 18"-inch gloss black sport alloy wheels
    • Black accented head and tail lamps
    • Darkened badges, door handles + mirror caps, integrated rear lip spoiler
    • Roof rack + cross bars
    • Black + red fabric trimmed interior, red accent stitching, carpeted floormats
    • Wireless charging, frame-less HomeLink rearview mirror

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade AWD: darkened accents package in new Soul Crystal Red hue

CARRIED OVER, MOSTLY UNCHANGED ON 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid AWD:

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade AWD specifications:

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP): $35,998 = as tested 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade AWD ($29,745 S Hybrid)

Curb Weight (pounds): 3,439 lbs.

Powertrain - petrol: Hybrid Synergy e-AWD transverse 2.0L 16V DOHC I-4 + 2 PSM electric traction motors

Horsepower petrol / Torque (pound - feet): 150 hp / 139 lb-ft @ 4400 r.p.m.

Horsepower NET HYBRID (kilowatts) / Torque (pound - feet): 196 hp (144 kW) / 139 lb-ft @ 4400 r.p.m.

  • Powertrain - electrified (includes MG 1 PSM (regen.) 6 kW (8 hp) starter generator)
  • Front E-Motor: water cooled MG 2 PSM 650VAC (front): 83 kW (112 hp), 151 lb-ft;(parallel to engine)
  • Rear E-Motor: water cooled MG 3 PSM 650VAC (rear): 30 kW (40 hp), 62 lb-ft
  • Battery - electric propulsion / weight: LiIon, 60 cells, 230 VAC, 4.1 Ah, 0.9 kWh capacity / N.L.

Drivetrain / Final drive ratio: Front axle E-CVT transaxle, shift paddles, E-rear axle MSG, on-demand all-wheel drive - 100:0%- to 20:80% F:R e-axle torque split

Drive Modes: (6) Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport S, Sport S +, Custom

Chassis:

  • 4 wheel independent suspension
  • 4 wheel disc brakes x 1 piston floating calipers, front vented
  • 225/55-V Goodyear Assurance Finesse M+S, 18" alloy wheels

Dimensions:

  • LxWxH: 175.6" x 71.9" x 64.8"
  • Wheelbase: 103.9" inches (TNGA-GAC)
  • Ground clearance: 8.0" inches

Capacities:

  • Headroom (Row 2, inches): 39.0"
  • Legroom (Row 2, inches): 32.0"
  • Cargo (nominal to maximum): 21.5 - 61.8 cubic feet
  • Towing: 1500 pounds

Fuel Economy - observed (miles per gallon): 41 m.p.g.

Range (maximum): 424 miles (10.6 gallons)

Performance: 0-60 miles/ hour: 7.5 seconds; Top speed: 112 m.p.h.

Manufacturer Provided Specifications @2025 Roadblazing.com

  • America's [currently] only hybrid powered volume urban crossover utility vehicle
  • Two-row subcompact SUV, 5 occupant seating
  • POWER & DRIVETRAIN:
    • gasoline engine + battery hybrid electric motors x 2 + direct shift continuously variable transaxle, with electric rear axle motor all-wheel drive
    • NET POWER: 196 horsepower, 139 pound-feet @ 4400 r.p.m.
    • 0.9 kWh capacity LiIon battery, regenerative charging
  • FUEL ECONOMY: 41 combined miles per gallon
  • CHASSIS: Front strut, rear four link control arm suspension + four wheel disc brakes, front vented.
  • SAFETY:
    • "Top Safety Pick" rated by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (2023 MY)
    • IIHS score lowered from Good to Acceptable for 2024 updated Moderate Overlap Front and Side collision tests
    • Comprehensive Level 2.0 ADAS - Toyota Safety System 3.0 & Star Safety system
      • 9 SRS airbags, Rear camera, Rain sensing wipers, Blind spot monitors, Forward collision & pedestrian avoidance braking, Traffic jam automatic braking, Adaptive cruise control + lane tracing, Rear cross traffic warning & park warning
  • CONVENIENCE:
    • Cloth sport bucket seats, 6-way driver, 4-way passenger manual adjust
    • Power windows x 4 full express
    • Proximity keyless access, push-button ignition
    • Heated, power wing mirrors
    • Moonroof
    • Automatic 1-zone climate control
    • JBL 9-speaker premium streaming audio + HD radio (optional)
    • wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay phone projection
    • inductive mobile device charging shelf
  • UTILITY
    • Cargo bay with liftgate access
    • 60:40% split folding 2nd Row seatbacks
    • Doughnut mini spare tire
  • CONNECTIVITY:
    • 8.0" Toyota Connect landscape pod touch LCD infotainment display
      • Drive Connected cloud navigation with Google Points of Interest (by subscription)
      • "Hey Toyota" wake-up phrase intelligent voice interaction
    • Bluetooth hands-free communication + SMS
    • Android Auto, Apple CarPlay wireless app projection
    • USB-C x 4 (two per row)
  • SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES:
    • Digital key via smart phone app
    • Drive Connect, Safety Connect, Wi-Fi, Remote Connect & Service Connect
    • Sirius XM satellite radio (90 days trial)

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade AWD: gas hybrid electric power, fully independent suspension

VALUE LINE on 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade AWD:

  • $35,998 price, as tested 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade AWD in two-tone Soul Crystal Red + black panoramic roof (S Hybrid AWD from $29,745)
  • 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper to bumper, 8 years /100,000 miles hybrid components, 10 years / 150,000 miles traction battery warranties, 2 years / 25,000 miles scheduled maintenance

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BOTTOM LINE POINT: A smartly styled, relaxed and efficient urban cute-ute cruising companion.

Design Hits (and Misses) in the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade AWD:

  • Toyota's entry hybrid crossover SUV in America
  • Active urban lifestyle suited
  • Truck-like shape, derived from larger RAV4
    • A wide hexagon grille, flared chin and rear quarter hips, cinched rear waist, with the lower perimeter fully contrast clad.
  • Uniform panel fit and finish, inside and out
    • Airy greenhouse, low cowl, duct brightwork, piano gloss black switchgear bezels, even above waist panel fit, fine panel pebbling
    • Solid door close thuds, Rattle-free cabin
    • Assembled at joint Mazda Toyota Huntsville, Alabama plant U.S. "Apollo" assembly line (tribute to nearby N.A.S.A. training center)
  • -1 Styling doesn't take many risks
  • -1 Lack of contrasting cabin materials and many hard surfaces (including dash top & door cards)

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade AWD: city-size cabin & cargo capacity

Driving Hits in the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade AWD

  • Ample hybrid power + smooth petrol-to-electric hand-off
  • Low fatigue compliant ride, accurate steering tracking, smooth turn-in, linear brake engagement
    • Above average ground clearance for segment
    • Low road noise
  • Useful advanced driver assist lane & distance control, mostly Good IIHS safety ratings

Driving Misses

  • -1 Not as efficient as a Corolla hybrid sedan or Prius
    • 33 M.P.G. cold weather impacted
  • -1 In cabin engine vibration under acceleration
  • -1 Numb steering feel, tepid brake pedal, some body roll when pushed
  • -1 Minor wind buffeting & whistle at high speeds
  • -1 Dim headlight broadcast

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BOTTOM LINE COUNTER-POINT: The larger and more powerful Toyota RAV4 Hybrid can be had for the same amount of dough.

Comfort, Convenience & Utility Hits in the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade AWD

  • Urban ute footprint with airy space for four adults
    • Easy ingress/ egress
  • Supportive front bucket seats, thick rim steering wheel
  • Usefully low loading floor and taller than average load aperture
  • Optional JBL sound system serves premium sound

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade AWD: ADAS 2.0 suite, Google search & wireless smart phone projection

Comfort & Utility Misses

  • Front seats snug for those of greater girth
  • Rear seat knee room wanting (see Hyundai Kona)
  • Middling cargo capacity (see Volkswagen Taos)
  • Narrow door armrests
  • Short door pockets
  • Flimsy cabin door latch levers
  • Limited steering wheel reach adjustment
  • Dimly illuminated twin analog dial instrument cluster clutters trip information

2022 Toyota Corolla Cross AWD - Bottom Line Review
COROLLARY TO SMALL SEDAN ABANDONMENT : In cases of potential mass abandonment there are lifeboats for ships and life mattresses (formerly, nets) for buildings. Similarly, the crossover utility vehicle is expected to rescue those abandoning traditional four door sedan. It is a trend which has eroded market share to half of
RoadBlazingGeorge Straton

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Roadblazing.com Says: Thrifty at pump attractive urban crossover SUV gains a sanguine color.

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