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Is a Corolla Cross hybrid a baby RAV?

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Moe4Toyota

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
My first RAV (2001) gave me 311,000 trouble free miles before I donated. My 2nd RAV (2009) is at 259,000 and counting. Thinking of what’s next, I’m concerned that the RAVs keep growing, Just learned a little about a Corolla Cross. I like the size better - will it be as reliable and trouble free?
Thoughts?!
 
#2 ·
Suggest checking Consumer Reports for test drive evaluations and owner reported statistics about reliability.
 
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#4 ·
The most recent generation of Rav4 had a few problems when first release- 2018 or 2019. This seems typical and understandable. I would never buy the first year of a new model from any car company.

I agree, for most uses the Corolla Cross is a nicer size for me. I saw an older Highlander recently that was smaller than my 2022 Rav4. Ridiculous how big cars have gotten. Since I only have one vehicle, I went with the Rav4 for the space which I do need at times. And the Corolla Cross Hybrid wasn't out.
 
#5 ·
Suggest you test drive the Corolla Cross over others' opinions.
We own a 2023 RAV4, and I just test drove the Corolla Cross last month for fun.

Wheelbase length on the RAV4 is 105.9" vs Corolla Cross's 103.9". Personally, sitting in both SUVs back-to-back, not much noticeable difference.
Rav4 being slightly bigger by 4.8" (180.9 vs 176.1), will provide slightly more cargo space.

While not a as fast as RAV4, the 2.0L on the Corolla Cross is sufficient on freeway passing and drives much the same as RAV4 (not XSE).
The simplicity of the Corolla Cross interior, and with history of past Corolla reliability records, the Corolla Cross will likely follow the trend in reliability (after 1st year of course : ).
 
#6 · (Edited)
The two big drawbacks I see with the Corolla Cross is it has only 28 Cu Ft Cargo area while the Rav4 has 38. The Cross also has 6" less rear passenger leg room. I did find it interesting the Cross has a bit more front leg room than the Rav4. This would be a plus for me since I find the legroom in the Rav4 a little cramped, with my right knee hitting the center console at times. I do need the extra Cargo capacity in the Rav4 over the Cross so the Rav4 is the best option for me. If this is not an issue with you, I would suggest you test drive both and see which you prefer.

Here is a good comparison.

 

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#8 ·
#9 ·
Moe4Toyota said:
My first RAV (2001) gave me 311,000 trouble free miles before I donated. My 2nd RAV (2009) is at 259,000 and counting. Thinking of what’s next, I’m concerned that the RAVs keep growing, Just learned a little about a Corolla Cross. I like the size better - will it be as reliable and trouble free?
Thoughts?!
Click to expand...
Hard to say about the reliability, but I know what you mean about size inflation. My 4.5 RAV is bigger than the 1st generation 4Runner I had in the 80s. It’s only slightly larger, though, than my 2008 V6 Rav. The Cross might be good if you’re keen to downscale, but I’m slightly partial to the Subaru Crosstrek in that size class. Both get mediocre reviews anyway, for whatever that’s worth.
 
#10 ·
Dan Daniel said:
The most recent generation of Rav4 had a few problems when first release- 2018 or 2019. This seems typical and understandable. I would never buy the first year of a new model from any car company.

I agree, for most uses the Corolla Cross is a nicer size for me. I saw an older Highlander recently that was smaller than my 2022 Rav4. Ridiculous how big cars have gotten. Since I only have one vehicle, I went with the Rav4 for the space which I do need at times. And the Corolla Cross Hybrid wasn't out.
Click to expand...
The 2019 only has a bad reputation because of the transmission lurching issue, but that affects newer models as well and even owners w/ 2023 models are complaining about lurching and odd shift patterns. Roof rail leak affects model years 2019-2021. All Toyota 8-speeds have weird shifts and excessive high RPM even the one in the Highlander.
 
#11 ·
I bought our 2019 Rav4 over something else primarily because it was not a CVT. I presume Toyota CVTs are better than others, but its still a CVT. The belt / chain will wear out eventually, doesn't matter who made it. Of note, the Rav4 hybrid is not really a CVT - its a planetary gearbox, so I am not counting those.

Our 2019 ICE has had no lurching, but the 8 speed transmission does lock in every gear, and its most noticeable to not downshift especially at rolling stops. If your heavy on the skinny pedal and can't seem to overcome the rolling stop issue (just ease into it, not hammer the gas), then yes a hybrid might be for you. I on the other hand really like my ICE. The transmission works very well for me, and I seem to have much more attachment to the drivetrain than the usual "slushbox' feel.
 
#12 ·
Lowcountry Rav said:
I bought our 2019 Rav4 over something else primarily because it was not a CVT. I presume Toyota CVTs are better than others, but its still a CVT. The belt / chain will wear out eventually, doesn't matter who made it. Of note, the Rav4 hybrid is not really a CVT - its a planetary gearbox, so I am not counting those.

Our 2019 ICE has had no lurching, but the 8 speed transmission does lock in every gear, and its most noticeable to not downshift especially at rolling stops. If your heavy on the skinny pedal and can't seem to overcome the rolling stop issue (just ease into it, not hammer the gas), then yes a hybrid might be for you. I on the other hand really like my ICE. The transmission works very well for me, and I seem to have much more attachment to the drivetrain than the usual "slushbox' feel.
Click to expand...
Yea I've gotten used to it now. Mine has a long delay shifting from 3rd to 4th gear, it will rarely shift before reaching ~4,500 RPM for some reason, but the rest are smooth. And I also still have the lurch at rolling stops even after having the TSB done, but I saw a thread recently of someone w/ a 2022 model that did the same thing and all of those transmissions should've already been 'fixed' from the factory after August 2020. (I've also done multiple drain & fills and put a 10 oz. bottle of Lubegard and still shifts the same)
 
#14 · (Edited)
I was looking for awd hybird or plugin car, and test drove and like both the 2023 Corolla Cross and the 2023 Rav4 (Hybrid and Plugin Hybrid). I ended up getting a Rav4 Prime at MSRP, and then got both the $6500 lease rebate, and will get $5000 tax credit in Colorado. But I didn't end up getting the Prime version of Rav4 their a a number of things going for the Corolla Cross Hybrid over the Rav4 Hybrid. For one it has Safety Sense 3.0 instead of 2.5. I think having front cross traffic alert would be nice. It also has next generation Hybrid system (same as new Prius) so it gets much better milage (not just because of smaller size).

Now Toyota offers tons of awd hybrid systems which is great someone could get an awd hybrid Corolla but oddly that doesn't have a rear vent while the Corolla Cross does (and this was deal breaker for my wife). I think it would make sense for the Corolla Cross to be next to get Prime treatment, in particular if they don't find a way to offer the Prius Prime in awd; with the latest one you can get plugin or awd but not both.
 
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