The Toyota Corolla Cross Years To Avoid

Published June 14, 2023
in Avoid

With more than 50 million examples sold, the Toyota Corolla is the most popular car on the planet. And given the dominance of SUVs in today’s automotive marketplace, it was only a matter of time before Toyota produced a utility vehicle with a Corolla nameplate. Hence the Corolla Cross. But are there Toyota Corolla Cross years to avoid?

We’ll explore the answer to this question and then provide an overview of the company’s newest SUV model.

Toyota launched the Corolla Cross in the U.S. for the 2022 model (production began in September 2021). The company targeted this compact SUV to fit below the pricer RAV4 and above the smallish and quirky C-HR.

Given the newness of this model, traditional sources of reliability data are modest or nonexistent. Carcomplaints.com and repairpal.com usually do a good job of cataloging owner complaints and trouble reports, but these outlets are completely quiet about the Toyota Corolla Cross as of this writing.

That leaves the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Consumer Reports as authorities on Toyota Corolla Cross years to avoid. Let’s see what there is to say about the 2022 and 2023 model years.

THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE TOYOTA COROLLA CROSS

If you’re looking to buy a Toyota Corolla Cross, you have two model options since it’s a brand-new lineup. So today, we look at the current model years of the Cross and determine the most reliable Toyota Corolla Cross year so far.

Toyota Corolla Cross Years To Avoid

2022 Toyota Corolla Cross

Verdict: Thumbs Down

Consumers Reports gives the 2022 Corolla Cross a perfect 5 out of 5 for reliability. But the organization calls this rating an “informed prediction.” So while other Corolla-labeled Toyotas may have strong reputations for dependability, it’s not a foregone conclusion with the first year of Corolla Cross.

Meanwhile, there are seven complaints on file with NHTSA. This is inconsequential, considering Toyota sold about 45,000 examples of the 2022 Corolla Cross in the U.S. However, four of the NHTSA reports are for engines that died, proving not all of the Corolla Crosses from this model year are flawless. And this data only reflects feedback from the owners that bothered to file a report. Who knows how many owners had problems but didn’t share their experiences?

This conflicting information adds to the challenge of deciding if the 2022 edition goes on the list of Toyota Corolla Cross years to avoid. Yet, we’ve placed it on this list for one fundamental reason and advice most mechanics will offer; never buy an all-new car the first year it comes out.

It’s simply too early to tell if the $22,000 Corolla Cross is trouble-free or trouble-prone. In the face of uncertainty, it’s not worth the risk or expense, mainly because the Corolla Cross isn’t the only compact SUV on the market.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross

Verdict: Pause

The latest version of the Corolla Cross also gets a 5 from Consumer Reports, but this reflects “Predicated Reliability.” In other words, the rating is an informed guess. At the same time, Toyota has a knack for eliminating first-year gremlins in subsequent model years of an all-new design.

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However, something interesting gets uncovered when reviewing NHTSA records; complaints about the Corolla Cross skyrocketed. The agency received seven owner complaints about the 2022 model year against 45,000 sales. But, with about 41,000 examples sold through May 2023, NHTSA received 65 owner reports about the 2023 Corolla Cross. What’s even more eye-opening is that 49 of the complaints relate to the engine. Frankly, that’s a worrisome trend.

A new car warranty offers comfort and peace of mind, but what happens later when there’s no factory coverage? So, we’re not saying a hard no to the 2023 Corolla Cross, but taking a wait-and-see approach is our suggestion. See if the number of complaints increases significantly and if problems with the 2023 Corolla Cross start to appear on carcomplaints.com and repairpal.com

Overview: Toyota Corolla Cross

Learning about its specifications and features can be helpful because the Corolla Cross is relatively new to Toyota showrooms. Here are the basics to review.

Engines

2.0-liter four-cylinder engine — 169 horsepower (2022-2023)
2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine — 196 combined horsepower (2023)

Toyota added a hybrid version to the Corolla Cross lineup for the 2023 model year. It’s the same powertrain used in the redesigned 2023 Toyota Prius.

Drivetrains

Front-wheel drive—standard (2022-2023)
All-wheel drive—optional (2022-2023)
All-wheel drive with the hybrid engine—standard (2023)

All-wheel drive is included with the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

Trims

L, LE, XLE (gas engine, 2022-2023)
S, SE, XSE (hybrid, 2023)

The base L trim provides the essentials like manual air conditioning, fabric upholstery, and steel wheels with wheel covers. Stepping up to the LE adds single-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry with push-button start, rear privacy glass, and alloy wheels. The top-tier XLE gets leatherette upholstery, a power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and larger alloys. A moonroof is optional on the LE and XLE (and includes a power liftgate with the XLE).

The hybrid-only trims (S, SE, and XSE) are similar to the gas-edition trims, but the entry-level S gets upgrades early on, including single-zone automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry with push-button start, and alloy wheels.

Safety Technology

All Corolla Cross versions (gas and hybrid) get advanced driver aids like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, and adaptive cruise control. But buyers have to step up to the LE/SE or XLE/XSE for blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and other safety goodies. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking come with the XLE/XSE.

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Infotainment

All Corolla Cross trims come with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. The setup includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker stereo. The LE/SE and XLE/XSE get a wireless phone charger and an option to upgrade to a nine-speaker JBL sound system. Toyota includes trial access to app-based services for emergency help, a Wi-Fi hotspot remote vehicle access, and vehicle monitoring. Navigation is optional via a cloud-based service.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Pricing

L: $23,610
LE: $25,940
XLE: $27,715
S Hybrid: $27,970
SE Hybrid: $29,290
XSE Hybrid: $31,065

Prices exclude a $1,335 destination charge and any options.

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