2023 Prius XLE AWD verses 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE AWD

Hi again,

I know I'm popping up everywhere here! : )

Anyone have the patience to give me their thoughts on my most recent quandary? I'm comparing these two because I'm realizing I might need to prioritize comfort over mpg due to low sport style seating in the Prius. Removing the purchase price from the equation I'm focusing on safety, fuel economy, maintenance and resale value (in case I end up disliking Prius).

My 40 min commute is an equal mix of highway and roads of aprox 30-40mpg. I can also take a route that is mostly 40-50 mph. I'm guessing that would still be considered highway driving. Prius gets 49 city/50 highway Cross Hybrid gets 45 city/38 highway. It's the Cross 38 mpg highway that's killing me. Gas is obviously not going to get cheaper. Tire replacement would be about the same. I'm not positive yet if Cross Hybrid XSE has exact same safety features as Prius XLE but pretty close.

I know there is probably a longer wait for a Cross Hybrid which might make the decision for me. They are starting to show up in allocations. Toyota had to put a softex/striped fabric combo on XSE seats. Ugh! It does have a leather steering wheel which was shocking to see. Reviews seem quite favorable.

Fixed income + gas price increases means I probably should go with 2023 Prius until something better comes along or backpedal to a hard to find a slightly used 2022 XLE with more comfortable seating. I don't need a faster car but I like the idea of newer styling.

Any thoughts? Did I post this in the right place? Thanks!

 

Typically due to my financial circumstances I keep car well maintained and until it gets to a point where repairs are too expensive. My 2009 has 207k. Bought in 2015 for 11k.

If I can adjust to the 2023 Prius, I will keep it as long as I can. If not, I will drive it while hoping for compact SUV. I’m guessing hybrid technology might be maxed out at 42 mpg for a small SUV at this point due to weight and lack of aerodynamics.

 

Thank you for the affirmation!

 

Yes only AWD being shipped. I would prefer FWD but not going to travel for it. I tested the Niro and it didn’t feel as solid as Toyota. I was surprised to see Toyota wasn’t able to build the Cross Hybrid to match Niro’s fuel economy.

 

Thanks. Nice to hear you are enjoying your new and first car. Must be exciting!

I also don’t mind the look of the Gen 4 except maybe the info screen area of dashboard. I will miss not having the Gen 4 cargo space but the improved safety features are important.

How is the low entry for you? Not hitting your head? : } I really won’t know if it’s going to work for me until I get a chance to take one for a drive. The height adjustments I need (seat and steering wheel) will potentially cause a need to crouch when getting in an out.

I saw the post about your great fuel economy. I would get an LE but I need the XLE for the seat comfort plus I recently found out the cloth seats are coated with something that trigger my chemical sensitivities. Softex doesn’t seem to bother me as much. Wish local dealer could get an XLE with FWD. We get maybe one or two snow storms per year. I guess AWD helps in the rain too. Will miss the 15 in tires of my 2009 Prius.

 

Hi it’s me again!

I drove a friend’s 2021 Forester on a long road trip over the past week. Love the car and cabin (not the 27mpg) but noticed while driving on some majorly curvy highway areas that my body was tensing up. I know I was a tad nervous driving someone else’s car but there was something else going on. Taking curves in an SUV felt a bit uncomfortable.

Body roll and center of gravity issue? Prius being lower to the ground feels more secure? I’m asking in case I test drive the 2023 Prius and the seat and display placement don’t work for me. I might have to get Corolla Cross Hybrid. Ironically a Corolla Cross Hybrid will be arriving around the same time as my Prius but for another customer. Exact specifications I would want. : /

 

The owner of this Forester bought it for ground clearance. She wants to be safer in storm flooded streets. Being 5’ 3 it felt like I was climbing into it compared to my 2009 Prius. : }