2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2022 Toyota Venza

CarGurus experts rate the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek as 8 out of 10 and the 2022 Toyota Venza as 9 out of 10 for look and feel.

The Crosstrek embodies the adage “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Car shoppers are flocking to crossovers for their rugged looks, available all-wheel drive (AWD), and tall driving positions, so Subaru decided to imbue its Impreza hatchback with those same characteristics. It’s the same strategy that has allowed the larger Outback to outlast nearly every other station wagon in the United States.

The 2022 Toyota Venza measures 186.6 inches long, 73.0 inches wide, and 65.9 inches tall, with 7.8 inches of ground clearance and a 105.9-inch wheelbase. That puts it at the short end of the midsize crossover SUV segment.

CarGurus experts rate the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek 7 out of 10 and the 2022 Toyota Venza 8 out of 10 for performance.

The 2021 Crosstrek gets a second gasoline powertrain option. Standard on the Sport and Limited trim levels, the new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine makes 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The 2022 Toyota Venza has a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine and three electric motors, which produce 219 horsepower combined.

CarGurus experts rate the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek 7 out of 10 and the 2022 Toyota Venza 9 out of 10 for form and function.

The Crosstrek offers the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback. Front headroom is the same as well, but Subaru lists the Crosstrek as having slightly more rear headroom than the Impreza. The Venza seats five in two rows, with two bucket seats in the front row and a 60/40-split folding second-row bench seat with three seating positions.

CarGurus experts rate both the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek and the 2022 Toyota Venza 8 out of 10 for technology.

The Crosstrek uses Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. The Venza comes with an eight-inch touchscreen, AM/FM/HD Radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio with a three-month trial. The infotainment system works with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and has Amazon Alexa capability and Bluetooth hands-free phone and streaming music connectivity.

CarGurus experts rate the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek 8 out of 10 and the 2022 Toyota Venza 9 out of 10 for safety.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The 2022 Toyota Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2022 Toyota Venza five stars, its highest rating.