A fairly athletic silhouette, but a reasonable size, the comfort of a sedan, but a driving position that puts you above the traffic. And now, a self-charging hybrid engine that allows the Corolla Cross to more directly target families looking for useful space and keen to contain their fuel budget.

Toyota had promised to slip a hybrid engine under the hood of the Corolla Cross. It’s now done. This small utility vehicle now has a very serious advantage over its direct competitors by being the only one in its category to offer a hybrid version, which allows it to display very modest consumption.

Apart from the badges responsible for recalling the presence of a two-headed mechanism (half-petrol, half-electric), the most visible part is located at the front, now recognizable by its invasive molded grille. This slightly overplayed figure of speech aims to “give dynamism” to this Corolla Cross. If the result is still far from causing the hoped-for aesthetic shock, at least it allows the little Toyota to stand out more.

The integration of this mechanism was done without any complications. This entry-level utility vehicle derives, it should be remembered, very closely from the Corolla sedan. This will reassure consumers concerned about reliability.

The hybrid engine here implies the presence of four engines. One gasoline (2L) and three electric, one of which is responsible for driving the rear axle. All Corolla Cross hybrids benefit from all-wheel drive as standard. Compared to the “all-gasoline”, the hybrid version increases power from 169 to 196 hp and, more importantly, torque from 150 to 214 lb-ft.

Much less shy about taking off or performing an overtaking maneuver, this hybrid engine helps improve active safety. And to impressively lower consumption. This, according to Natural Resources Canada, stands at 5.6 L/100 km, compared to 7.8 L/100 km for the equivalent version (4-wheel drive) with gasoline. This therefore translates, again according to the government body, into an annual saving of around $500 in fuel and reduced CO2 emissions (130 g/100 km compared to 182 g/100 km). That said, although electrically assisted, the 2L four-cylinder is noisy and the soundproofing of the body remains a downside for this vehicle.

The behavior of this Corolla Cross turns out to be just as apathetic with its soft steering and too light to make us feel the contours of the road. Although more rigid, the suspension elements curiously allow this Toyota to wallow more in the turns and to absorb the irregularities of the road more harshly. As for braking, energy recovery undoubtedly requires, it appears more difficult to modulate if you attack the pedal with a light foot. A little more firmness causes the calipers to bite the discs more fiercely.

A vehicle neither too small nor too large, designed with scrupulous concern for consensus. This sums up this Corolla Cross quite well, one of the primary reasons for purchasing which is essentially utilitarian. Even if it is not as seductive as some of its competitors, behind the stroke of the pencil we sense a desire to offer an alternative solution to its rivals.

The interior presentation has essentially the same features as those of the sedan. The seats are relatively comfortable and the driving position is easy to find. Rather basic, the ergonomics do not really raise any criticism. The same cannot be said of the quality of certain materials, mainly composed of hard plastics. At the rear, the clearance is sufficient, but we regret that the backrests cannot be tilted for more pleasant travel. More bulky than the eponymous sedan, the Corolla Cross takes care of its trappings as much as its loading capacity. The trunk has a volume that positions it ahead of its main competitors.

Since the customer is less looking for mechanical brilliance than equipment that simplifies life or improves comfort, the Corolla Cross hybrid is available in three versions (SE, XLE and XSE). The base price ($37,269.50) represents an extra $6,065 over a Corolla Hybrid AWD. Do you really need an SUV?

From $37,269.50 to $40,039.50

5.9L/100km (measured during our testing)

Unless you’re looking for a high stance and more cargo space, a Corolla sedan is a better deal.

La Presse will soon publish reviews of the following vehicles: Cadillac Lyriq, Ford Mustang, GMC Sierra, Hyundai Kona, Mitsubishi Mirage, Lucid Air and Volkswagen Atlas. If you own one of these vehicles or are awaiting delivery, we would love to hear from you.