Toyota’s gross sales of electrified automobiles are within the stratosphere. The automaker now has a complete of 30 electrified fashions—probably the most of any model—together with hybrids, plug-in hybrids, gasoline cell automobiles and (admittedly few) absolutely electrical fashions. Other than a couple of luxurious Lexus automobiles and the hydrogen-powered Mirai, electrified Toyotas had a fantastic yr, promoting greater than one million items—that is 53% greater than in 2023.

The Japanese automaker has been a laggard within the EV race. His infamous anti-climate coverage efforts have drawn the ire of environmentalists and pro-EV activists. And whereas we watch for the world’s largest automaker to meet up with absolutely electrical automobiles, People are snapping up Toyota hybrids in droves, with gross sales additionally up for Ford and Hyundai hybrids.

Photograph by: InsideEVs

That is why we’re stepping up our protection of hybrids right here at InsideEVs.

That is why final yr I drove a plug-in hybrid and a daily hybrid back-to-back to search out out which powertrain was higher. It was certainly one of InsideEVs prime reads on the time, which suggests a lot of you might be intrigued by gas-powered automobiles with small lithium-ion batteries.

So this is some extra of that: Enter the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

The small crossover is a part of the frugal Corolla household however goals to supply extra utility than the Corolla sedan and the Prius. Positioned a notch under the RAV4, it is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, bigger than the Corolla Hybrid sedan’s 1.8-liter unit, however smaller than the RAV4 Hybrid’s 2.5-liter engine.

Not like the Corolla or Prius, this SUV has three electrical motors, together with one within the rear, giving it digital all-wheel drive on demand. It is primarily front-wheel drive, however when the system senses a lack of traction, the rear electrical motor can spin the rear wheels and make it easier to get via tough street circumstances.

The automobiles are powered by a 4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that sits beneath the rear seats. This makes it qualify as a Tremendous Extremely Low Emission Automobile (SULEV) like some other hybrid, which, whereas it seems like a advertising and marketing gimmick, is form of true. It has an EPA-rated mixed gasoline financial system of 42 miles per gallon, which far exceeds the typical gasoline effectivity of light-duty automobiles within the US, which was between 18-24 mpg in 2022.

Photograph by: Toyota

However the electrical motors do not make it an EV. It’s removed from it. This one is a conventional hybrid. This implies the electrical motors and the battery exist not for zero-emissions driving like on pure EVs or PHEVs, however to help the engine, enhance gasoline effectivity and provides it AWD functionality.

It is heartwarmingly low-cost too. At a beginning worth of $28,395, it is one of many least expensive all-wheel drive hybrids within the US

Over the following few days, I will be placing the common-or-garden Toyota via its paces and performing effectivity assessments in and round New York Metropolis. Let me know what you might be inquisitive about and I’ll do my finest to reply your questions. Depart them within the feedback, or get in contact Instagram, Threads or BlueSky.

Do you have got a tip? Attain out to the creator: suvrat.kothari@insideevs.com