2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid - The New Prius v?

Sporty & Efficient: Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Heads to Dealers This Summer - Toyota USA Newsroom

Bearing the same powertrain as the 2023 Prius AWD, the new Corolla Cross Hybrid will get 42 mpg (5.6 L/100km) combined on its 196 hp (146.2 kW) output. Highlights are:

• Available with 215/65R17 or 225/55R18 tires - Dare I say it, normal ones
• No spare - Tire Repair Kit
• 8.0 inch ground clearance
• 1,500 lbs (680.4 kg) towing
• Cargo Volume is 21.5 cu. ft. with all seats up and 61.8 cu.ft. with the second row folded
• range on a tank of 10.6 gallons (40.3 L) of gas is 453.6 miles (730 km) - about 100 miles (161 km) less than the 2023 Prius AWD
• Comes in S, SE, and XSE trims - kind of makes you wonder why the 2023 Prius AWD didn't come in the same trims
• Standard AWD
• TSS 3.0

With an 8.0" ground clearance this will have a higher lift height in the tailgate than the old Prius v. Still doesn't match the Prius v cargo area either with the Prius v's 34.3 cu. ft. and 67.3 cu. ft. with rear seats folded. If you slide the rear seats forward in both cars the cargo area is almost identical with the Corolla Cross Hybrid beating the v by .1 cu. ft.. Gas mileage is 1 mpg better in the Corolla Cross Hybrid with more power along with a much wider and higher entry. The turning circle is also better than the Prius v making it slightly more maneuverable.

Product specs link are in this link:
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid - Toyota USA Newsroom

 

Yeah but its cheap. S starts at $27,970, SE $29,290 ($33,985 CAD), XSE $31,065 ($36,755 CAD). Leaves enough to buy a donut spare and stand it up in the cargo area.

 

You may get something of a weird wish, how about:
Toyota plans to push plug-in hybrid EV range beyond 120 miles

So to get to 120 miles (200 km) you would need 3 Prius Prime batteries or about 41 kWh using today's technology. Probably closer to 45 kWh to offset the weight gain, though you could downsize the engine to the 1.5L 3 cylinder if all you are doing is using it as a range extender and get rid of the transmission. I calculated the 2023 Prius Prime XSE EV range, BTW. You can slide between 41 and 50 kWh depending on the car.

According to Kirk Kreifels, the 2023 Prius Prime uses about 11.5 kWh of the 13.6 kWh battery (at the 14:32 mark) which is how he calculated EV range. He got something like 41 in XSE Premium BTW.