Toyota dominates America’s hybrid automobile gross sales as a result of sheer range of its choices, to not point out that buyers have already got a strong belief in Toyota’s hybrid system. Nonetheless, a various mannequin vary may imply that some fashions are extra closely favored than others—particularly if the value distinction is small, but the distinction in functionality is sort of giant.
- Base Trim Engine
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Dynamic Power Hybrid
- Base Trim Transmission
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CVT
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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176 HP @5700 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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163 lb.-ft. @ 3600 RPM
- Base Trim Gas Financial system (metropolis/freeway/mixed)
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41/38/39 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Kind
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Lead acid battery
- Make
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Toyota
- Mannequin
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RAV4 Hybrid
That is precisely the case with Toyota’s small hybrid SUV that almost all consumers do not take into account. Versus Toyota’s total bestseller, the RAV4 (whose next-generation mannequin is about to hit showrooms between late 2025 and early 2026), this small hybrid SUV sells in far fewer numbers, although it’s on no account a gross sales flop.
That is in contrast to manufacturers like Subaru, whose gross sales of the Crosstrek and Forester aren’t too removed from one another. Thus, on this article, we’ll be discussing this small Toyota hybrid SUV that appears to be missed by customers, even when it is nonetheless an excellent providing, particularly for those who’re on a funds.
To provide the most recent and correct data doable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producers and different authoritative sources.
Do not Cross Out The Corolla Cross Hybrid
The Toyota small hybrid SUV that appears to be flying beneath folks’s radar is the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Subsequent to the RAV4, the Corolla Cross lineup on the whole (counting each hybrid and non-hybrid gross sales) is on no account a gross sales flop, however consumers appear to be closely favoring the RAV4 lineup proper now.
Much less Than 1/4th Of RAV4 Gross sales
To know our case with the Corolla Cross, we’ve got to check out Toyota Motor North America’s gross sales for the third quarter of 2025. For the previous 9 months of the 12 months, Toyota has bought 358,134 examples of the RAV4. The Corolla Cross? Solely 73,341 copies managed to achieve the palms of American customers, or simply 20 p.c of the RAV4 lineup’s gross sales figures.
Isolating their gross sales with simply their hybrid variants, the hole between the 2 fashions widens additional. RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid gross sales stood at 156,222 (139,446 for the hybrid and 16,776 for the plug-in hybrid) whereas the Corolla Cross Hybrid solely reached 24,594 American households. That is solely about 15 p.c of RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid gross sales, which begs the query: why are folks ignoring the Corolla Cross Hybrid and virtually at all times going straight to the RAV4 Hybrid or RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid as a substitute?
This is Why Individuals Get The RAV4 Hybrid
There’s just one clarification as to why folks would moderately splurge for the RAV4 Hybrid as a substitute of settling for a Corolla Cross Hybrid—the minimal value distinction. You see, the Corolla Cross Hybrid begins at $28,495, whereas the RAV4 Hybrid begins at $32,850. That is a $4,355 distinction, which may simply be unfold out throughout month-to-month funds, as most consumers finance their autos anyway. Except you are actually on a good funds, the one most important motivator to accept the Corolla Cross Hybrid is for those who’re in a monetary pinch, or the RAV4 Hybrid is just too large (which, based mostly on the gross sales numbers, is clearly not the case for many).
And this is not simply anecdotal. A fast Reddit examine displays an analogous sentiment the place consumers would moderately get the RAV4 Hybrid. The RAV4 Hybrid is extra highly effective, rides on a extra premium platform (TNGA-Okay) that is shared with the Camry, although, after all, whenever you match the RAV4 Hybrid’s base value with the Corolla Cross Hybrid, you may find yourself splurging for the top-of-the-line mannequin already. That brings me to my subsequent section, as to which mannequin it’s best to choose based mostly in your desires and wishes.
Choices, Choices
With 73,341 models bought for each hybrid and non-hybrid, the Corolla Cross can be much less fashionable than the Subaru Crosstrek, which bought 142,725 models in the identical nine-month interval. Nonetheless, listed here are explanation why it’s your decision or not wish to take into account the Corolla Cross Hybrid.
Corolla Cross For Affordability
The Corolla Cross Hybrid has a greater than $4,000 value distinction, which, positive, could also be simply unfold out throughout month-to-month funds, however that is nonetheless fairly a large chunk. Due to this fact, you may wish to accept the Corolla Cross Hybrid already if its house and energy supply are already adequate for you. Alternatively, you possibly can match the RAV4 Hybrid’s base value by going for the range-topping XSE variant. At this value level, you’ve gotten the selection between choosing a top-trim, however not essentially fully-loaded Corolla Cross Hybrid, or an even bigger and quicker however much less feature-filled RAV4 Hybrid LE.
Relating to house, positive, the Corolla Cross Hybrid could also be smaller, however its house is already most likely adequate for you. The RAV4 Hybrid could also be greatest suited if you have already got youngsters that is well beyond their teenage years, but when they’re nonetheless lower than 10 years outdated, the Corolla Cross Hybrid may already be spacious sufficient for you. Oh, and do not get me began for those who’re nonetheless single, otherwise you’re a pair with out children but. You do not want the RAV4 Hybrid’s elevated dimension if that is the case, however for those who nonetheless need it, then by all means splurge for the RAV4 Hybrid.
Or Wait For The 2026 RAV4 Hybrid
At this level, you are already conscious {that a} 2026 RAV4 Hybrid, which underwent a full mannequin change, is already headed to sellers by late 2025 or early 2026. Toyota has not but introduced pricing for the RAV4 Hybrid, but when the outgoing mannequin’s $32,850 base value is any indicator, the brand new mannequin ought to solely see an incremental improve. But with the new-generation RAV4 Hybrid’s arrival, the tech and inside upgrades are going to be important to the purpose that it makes each the outgoing RAV4 Hybrid and Corolla Cross Hybrid really feel antiquated tech-wise.
Other than the sharper appears to be like, even base trims are already anticipated to include a ton of contemporary inside options. As an illustration, Toyota has already confirmed that even the upcoming base RAV4 Hybrid will get the brand new Arene working system (OS). This new OS will energy a pair of enormous screens—a 12.3-inch driver’s show and a ten.5-inch most important infotainment display screen, each of that are commonplace gear. That alone makes the outgoing RAV4 Hybrid within the range-topping Restricted look antiquated. If the brand new RAV4 Hybrid certainly barely will increase its base value, then by all means, the minimal value distinction is greater than value it.
Different Inexpensive Options
The 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is certainly one of America’s most inexpensive hybrid crossover SUVs, however for those who’re in search of an inexpensive hybrid mannequin, listed here are your different choices, certainly one of which is not essentially a crossover SUV.
America’s Least expensive Compact Hybrid SUV
The Corolla Cross is a subcompact, however there is a crossover hybrid SUV occupying the identical dimension class because the RAV4 Hybrid (aka the compact house) that occurs to be surprisingly inexpensive. I am speaking in regards to the newly up to date 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid, which begins at $30,290. With such a minimal value distinction, it will barely replicate in your month-to-month funds when in comparison with the Corolla Cross Hybrid, all of the whereas having a automobile that appears much more trendy, and with a turbocharged 1.6-liter parallel hybrid powertrain with a whopping 232 horsepower, it additionally feels punchy and really quick.
After all, being a base LX, do not count on numerous options, however even then, stuff like LED headlights, a big 12.3-inch infotainment system, and a plethora of superior driver-assistance programs that additionally embody full-speed Good Cruise Management with Cease & Go, are all fitted as commonplace for $30,290. Maybe that is the hybrid cut price of the 12 months?
America’s Least expensive Midsize Hybrid Sedan
Although not a crossover SUV, it’s a automobile that is externally bigger than the Corolla Cross Hybrid, but additionally one which’s extra highly effective and drives nicer, as a consequence of its extra premium TNGA-Okay platform (the Corolla Cross makes use of the Corolla-based TNGA-C platform). I am speaking in regards to the Camry Hybrid, whose base LE begins at $29,000. This midsize sedan additionally occurs to be America’s best-selling passenger automotive, and there is good cause for that. Its 2.5-liter fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS V) gives 225 horsepower or 232 if geared up with digital all-wheel drive (AWD), while additionally being frugal (as much as 50 MPG mixed!) and commendably good to drive.
After all, as a base LE, it additionally would not have numerous options, however like the bottom Sportage Hybrid LX on this article, it gives you with the trendy requirements to maintain your motoring life comfortable. In our guide, although, we might steer you to the Sportage Hybrid LX, solely as a result of this automobile provides extra options and thus makes the automobile really feel extra particular to personal as nicely.
Supply: EPA