2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE

As utilitarian-car concepts go, it must have sounded like a good idea: Take an iconic, best-selling small car, reconfigure it into a crossover so it's more practical, and drop in a hybrid drivetrain to make it more fuel-efficient and powerful. And, mostly, the Corolla Cross Hybrid is a good idea and a good value—the base S trim's MSRP starts at just under $28,000. It has more room for people and cargo than a Corolla sedan. Its powertrain has 27 more ponies than the nonhybrid Corolla Cross, and it gets 12 mpg better gas mileage. It's an easy car to drive and would make a good first car or one that's suitable for a novice driver. All 3 trim levels are equipped with Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0 complement of advanced safety features (although blind-spot warning isn’t available on the S trim). Standard features include single-zone automatic climate control, LED headlights, and remote keyless entry with push-button ignition. Our high-end test vehicle had several extra-cost options, including adaptive headlights with auto high beams and a tilt-and-slide moonroof. Negatives are scant but include a few possible deal-breakers: a noisy drivetrain, a plain interior with an abundance of cheap plastic, a tight rear seat, awkward rear entry and exit, and a rudimentary, dated infotainment system.