Hybrid Corolla Cross delivers just about all you need

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- Cruising east on Interstate 80 just outside the community of Auburn, it dawned on me that the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross was a give-'em-all-you-got vehicle.

What you get is a lot: the venerable Corolla name with plentiful Corolla DNA within the vehicle, a sporty-looking compact crossover, plentiful safety/comfort/convenience features, Toyota's storied reliability and gas-saving hybrid technology.

That last part is new for 2023 and a highly touted feature on my tester: a 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross HV XSE.  A 2-liter, four-cylinder engine anchors the hybrid system, which generates a combined net horsepower of 196.  Fuel mileage is a robust 45 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

Hybrid does not equate to tepid performance, however.  The tester scooted along lustily, and Toyota boasts a zero-to-60-mph time of 8 seconds, pretty feisty for this segment.

My ride stood out visually, wearing a saucy yellow-green paint job that Toyota labeled Acidic Blast.  It worked nicely with a jet black interior.

The cabin on the tester was surprisingly roomy, and from the cockpit, everything was thoughtfully laid out -- a la Corolla-style excellence.

For a compact offering, the features list went far beyond typical.  Standard perks on my tester included pedestrian detection, radar cruise control, lane-departure alert, a wireless smartphone charger, rear seat vents and ambient lighting.

A full boat of options -- including a premium JBL audio system and an adaptive front lighting system -- brought the bottom line on the sticker to $36,694. Given the plentiful equipment, just about right, I'd say.

Overall, this vehicle appeals to a lot of customer desires.  You want a practical-size crossover SUV ... that's packed with solid tech tools and longed-for standard equipment ... that will save you money on gas over the long haul ... and won't crush you bank accounts?

Toyota has you covered with the Corolla Cross hybrid.