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The Corolla sedan is an iconic Toyota model and continues to be the best-selling car in the world. With the Corolla Cross, Toyota builds off this success in the increasingly popular subcompact crossover SUV segment. And the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross has one big strength over the 2023 Toyota Corolla: off-road capabilities.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross has better off-road capabilities than the 2023 Toyota Corolla

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross crossover SUV driving on a street
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross | Toyota

Vehicles that can head off-road are all the rage these days. Drivers aim to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy some wilderness adventures. And they want a vehicle that can handle the rigors of rugged travel.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross crossover SUV is not a hardcore off-roader like the Toyota 4Runner midsize SUV. However, it’s good for light off-road use. And it’s much better for driving off-road than the 2023 Toyota Corolla. Like most sedans, the Corolla is built for only on-road journeys.

There are multiple reasons why the Corolla Cross is better for off-road driving than the Corolla. For one, the all-wheel drive system in the Corolla Cross is more capable than the one in the Corolla for driving over rugged terrain. Also, while all-wheel drive is offered for every trim level of the Corolla Cross, it’s only available for select trims of the Corolla.

Additionally, the Corolla Cross has higher ground clearance. It provides up to 8.1 inches of clearance, compared to 6.7 inches for the Corolla. Higher ground clearance enables safer and more effective travel over rough surfaces, such as rocks.

Furthermore, the Corolla Cross has more cargo space for loading up your gear on off-road trips. Behind the rear seats, it has 26.5 cu-ft of storage space — and 66.8 cu-ft in total. In comparison, the Corolla offers 13.1 cu-ft for the sedan model and 23.0 cu-ft for the hatchback.

2023 Corolla Cross is also better than the 2023 Corolla for driving in the snow

Rear angle view of red 2023 Toyota Corolla compact sedan
2023 Toyota Corolla | Toyota

Even if you plan on driving only on-road, the off-road capabilities of the 2023 Toyota Cross crossover SUV give it some other advantages over the 2023 Toyota Corolla compact car. 

The superior traction and higher ground clearance aid the Corolla Cross in driving in the snow. This makes the Corolla Cross more appealing for drivers that live in a harsh winter climate. The Corolla Cross is also more effective for driving in the rain and on icy roads.

Furthermore, eventually, most drivers encounter low-quality roads, such as ones with cracks, potholes, and broken concrete. For driving on low-quality roads, the Corolla Cross is more capable than the Corolla. 

Other benefits of the Toyota Corolla Cross over the Corolla

The 2023 Corolla Cross has some other benefits over the 2023 Corolla. This includes towing. While the Corolla is not rated for towing, the Corolla Cross can tow up to 1,500 pounds.

Additionally, the Corolla Cross offers a new hybrid model that has better performance than the hybrid version of the Corolla. The hybrid system in the Corolla Cross Hybrid generates 194 horsepower, compared to 134 horsepower in the Corolla Hybrid. The Corolla Cross Hybrid also provides quicker acceleration. It has a 0-60 mph time of 8.0 seconds, while it takes the Corolla Hybrid 9.2 seconds to complete the sprint.

With its better off-road capabilities, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross subcompact crossover SUV has a big strength over the 2023 Toyota Corolla compact car. For drivers deciding between the two vehicles, the off-road capabilities are a factor to consider, especially for those that aim for adventures in the wilderness.

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