Toyota’s ever-expanding Nightshade Edition line-up in the U.S. has inducted the Corolla Cross Hybrid for the 2024 model year. I recently had the opportunity to closely examine the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade, delving into its design, styling and features, and experience the space and comfort that it has on offer. These are my thoughts on the bolder iteration of what is now America’s second-most affordable hybrid SUV:
Design
Nightshade Edition is for customers who prefer darker and sportier styling without sacrificing practicality or fuel economy. Based on the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid SE, the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade offers a bit more visual flair with black-accented headlamps and tail lamps, black mirrors and door handles, and bigger, 18-inch alloy wheels featuring an exclusive design, also carrying a black finish. I like the model’s covert-like feel in the Jet Black paint seen on this unit.
Along with a sportier look, the exterior of the 2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade offers more utility. The new hybrid SUV features a roof rack with cross bars. LED headlights, LED tail lamps, heated ORVMs, and keyless liftgate access are also among its exterior highlights.
Interior
The interior of the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade is no different from its donor model for the most part. It features two-tone black/red fabric seats with red stitching for a unique and sportier look. However, after seeing the interior in person, I didn’t find the color scheme and seat covers all that attractive. I would’ve preferred the interior to be completely black, and suggest that Toyota provides this option in future model years.
Automatic climate control system, rear AC vents, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, four USB-C charging ports, and a wireless smartphone charger are part of the standard equipment.
Specifications
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade has a 196-hp powertrain and offers all-wheel drive capability as standard. It uses a 2.0-liter gas engine and an electric motor to power the front wheels and an additional electric motor to power the rear wheels. According to the EPA, it delivers a fuel economy of 45 MPG (city), 38 MPG (highway)/42 MPG (combined).
Also See: The 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition is for the nature lover!
Price & Final Thoughts
The 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade retails at USD 30,465 (excl. USD 1,350 DPH fee). The Nightshade edition goes for a blacked-out look for boldness, but it offers no performance enhancements. This actually aligns well with the Corolla Cross’s focus on buyers seeking economy. I suggest future model years come with an all-black interior option, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to experiment with the Woodland Edition on the Corolla Cross franchise.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 16 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading CEOs and vehicle developers from around the world.
