Toyota Corolla vs Toyota Corolla Cross: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Toyota Corolla is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,310 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Corolla Hybrid, 50 MPG combined), against $1,560 for the Toyota Corolla Cross (Corolla Cross Hybrid, 42 MPG combined). That is $250 a year, or $1,250 over five years.
Both come from the same maker or parent group. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Hybrid
- Small cars
Toyota Corolla
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Corolla Hybrid
$8.73 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
12 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Toyota Corolla Cross
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Corolla Cross Hybrid
$10.40 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
3 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Toyota Corolla$1,310 a year · $8.73 per 100 mi
- Toyota Corolla Cross$1,560 a year · $10.40 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$250
Toyota Corolla costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$1,250
$250 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Toyota Corolla | Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Corolla Hybrid | Corolla Cross Hybrid |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 50 MPG (better) | 42 MPG |
| City rating | 53 MPG (better) | 46 MPG |
| Highway rating | 46 MPG (better) | 39 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,310/yr (better) | $1,560/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $8.73 (better) | $10.40 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,310–$3,600 | $1,560–$2,180 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 12 | 3 |
| EPA class | Small cars | Small SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Toyota Corolla | Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 35 MPG · $1,870/yr Corolla (1-mode TM) | 32 MPG · $2,060/yr Corolla Cross |
| Hybrid | 50 MPG · $1,310/yr Corolla Hybrid | 42 MPG · $1,560/yr Corolla Cross Hybrid |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Toyota Corolla
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,310 vs $1,560
- Higher combined rating: 50 MPG vs 42 MPG
- Higher city rating: 53 MPG vs 46 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 46 MPG vs 39 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $1,870 vs $2,060
Toyota Corolla Cross
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Year by year
| Model year | Toyota Corolla | Toyota Corolla Cross | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 22–50 MPG | $1,310–$3,600 | 30–42 MPG | $1,560–$2,180 |
| 2025 | 22–50 MPG | $1,310–$3,600 | 30–42 MPG | $1,560–$2,180 |
| 2024 | 24–50 MPG | $1,310–$3,360 | 30–42 MPG | $1,560–$2,180 |
| 2023 | 24–50 MPG | $1,310–$3,360 | 30–42 MPG | $1,560–$2,180 |
| 2022 | 31–52 MPG | $1,260–$2,090 | 30–32 MPG | $2,040–$2,180 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota Corolla or the Toyota Corolla Cross?
The Toyota Corolla is cheaper: about $1,310 a year against $1,560 for the Toyota Corolla Cross, a difference of $250 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Toyota Corolla save over five years?
About $1,250 ($250 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Toyota Corolla or the Toyota Corolla Cross?
The Toyota Corolla is rated 50 MPG combined against 42 MPG for the Toyota Corolla Cross. City: 53 MPG vs 46 MPG. Highway: 46 MPG vs 39 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Toyota Corolla and the Toyota Corolla Cross in the same class?
The EPA classes the Toyota Corolla as Small cars and the Toyota Corolla Cross as Small SUVs, so they are listed as models from the same maker or group.
Explore these cars
- Toyota Corolla: ratings, trims and every model year
- Toyota Corolla Cross: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Toyota Corolla: all configurations
- 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross: all configurations
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