Compare the2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In HybridVS 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid and Corolla Cross have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Corolla Cross’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Corolla Cross.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid offers an optional Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Corolla Cross only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the Corolla Cross LE/XLE offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Corolla Cross LE/XLE has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid and the Corolla Cross have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid weighs 1062 to 1400 pounds more than the Toyota Corolla Cross. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid	Corolla Cross
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	16%	27%
Neck Stress	149 lbs.	243 lbs.
Neck Compression	13 lbs.	50 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	50/51 lbs.	330/310 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	244	356
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	27%	27%
Neck Stress	99 lbs.	165 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	222/167 lbs.	301/156 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid	Corolla Cross
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	61	92
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	576 lbs.	623 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Corolla Cross’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Corolla Cross. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Corolla Cross ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Corolla Cross’ (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the Corolla Cross (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fifth.

Engine

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 92 more horsepower (261 vs. 169) and 107 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 151) than the Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Corolla Cross:

			MPGe
Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid
	AWD	Electric Motor	79 city/72 hwy
Corolla Cross
			MPG
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/32 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Corolla Cross:

			MPG
Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	33 city/32 hwy
Corolla Cross
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/32 hwy

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid can travel with zero emissions for 31 miles. The Corolla Cross can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Corolla Cross:

	Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid	Corolla Cross
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	11.1 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has larger tires than the Corolla Cross (235/55R19 vs. 215/65R17). The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Corolla Cross (235/55R19 vs. 225/55R18).

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Corolla Cross’ standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Corolla Cross. The Corolla Cross’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Corolla Cross 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Corolla Cross’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid flat and controlled during cornering. The Corolla Cross 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 5 inches longer than on the Corolla Cross (108.9 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Corolla Cross.

Passenger Space

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, 4.9 inches more front hip room, 6.4 inches more front shoulder room, 7.5 inches more rear legroom, 12.5 inches more rear hip room and 5.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Cross.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Corolla Cross’ rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Corolla Cross (36.4 vs. 26.5 cubic feet).

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Corolla Cross’ (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Assist on the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Corolla Cross uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited, the memory system makes it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s standard variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Corolla Cross L’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent. The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Corolla Cross LE/XLE’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Corolla Cross has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the LE/XLE.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Corolla Cross’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Corolla Cross XLE. The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Corolla Cross.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Corolla Cross XLE.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Corolla Cross LE/XLE offers wireless charging.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid and the Toyota Corolla Cross, based on reliability, safety and performance.