Had an ST-Line Kuga hybrid as a rental (and a Corolla Cross the day before) in NZ last week, much more responsive than the Corolla Cross, better engine, better handling, interior was ok, not “plush” by any means. Seat was weird, very hard, felt sort of humped in the middle, not uncomfortable or sore, just very firm – both wife and I remarked on it. Seats were larger than the Corolla’s – both width and depth. Fuel consumption wasn’t as good as the Corolla, we used 7 litres to cover 80 miles, although the 47 miles of motorway were all 60mph limit. Also had a Corolla Cross in Stavanger, Norway a few weeks prior, did 200-odd miles, needed 9.7 litres to fill, although Norway speed limits were 50mph (and often less). Noticed it did use electric only way more often than the Kuga, also CVT intrusive and felt like about half the power! Engine wise the Kuga would be my choice, quiet, powerful.
Forgive the interuption 🙂
It’s along time since Ive been to NZ, so can’t comment there, but in europe the Kuga hybrid uses eCVT (hydraulically operated system based on a torque converter and a set of planetary gears) The Corolla, well the latest model uses eCVT (two electric motors mated to a transmission and planetary gear shaft, as well as the engine, respectively), so both use planetary gears rarther than a belt like older CVT full on elastic band effect.
The Corolla cross depending on the year may use CVT or [eCVT – 7.6s awd]
In terms of 0-62, the Corrola 2.0l 7.4s. Kuga 8.3s. Corolla 1.8 9.1s
The smaller engine Corolla going by forums will do low 60’smpg (whatcar suggests 75mpg) which isn’t bad for a small family car, but guess Toyota has mastered the hybrid lol.
However, I still say for tootling around along with the odd trip, you can’t beat the Juke at its current price and the niceties in Tekna trim, as we stand today 🙂