2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged yet customizable aesthetic, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance between the stubby 90 and the visually heavy 130. Despite its unconventional proportions, the Defender's design was appealingly robust, offering a plethora of customization options. In Canada, the base price ranged from $79,050 for the 90 model to $160,720 for the 130 V8, with the OCTA variant priced at $198,460. Our test vehicle, a Defender 130 X trim, featured black exterior elements, upgraded interior materials, and comprehensive off-roading technology, priced at just over $130,000 with additional options. The Gondwana Stone paint, paired with orange brake calipers and 20-inch wheels, was less visually appealing, with other colour options like Woolstone Green, Santorini Black, or Borasco Grey being preferable. Inside, the Defender X boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, with an industrial-themed cabin that emphasized quality materials and a purposeful design.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid maintained its attractive design lineage, with evolutionary improvements in its third generation. The 2026 model carried forward changes from 2024, featuring new sheet metal and chassis construction, with a notable update to the front fascia, incorporating a frameless grille and aerodynamic enhancements. In Canada, the Crosstrek Hybrid was offered in a single trim at the top of the lineup. The interior balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, featuring black leather upholstery and thoughtful design elements. Chrome-trimmed power window switches added an upscale touch, while standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof. The cabin's straightforward design prioritized function, with consistent material quality and a focus on practicality.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, paired with a mild-hybrid system, delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, provided robust acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 3,720 kilograms. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds, with an adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhancing its off-road capabilities. Despite its off-road prowess, the Defender was primarily driven on pavement during testing, where it handled urban environments with ease. The 20-inch wheels and Pirelli tires limited its on-road agility, but the Defender excelled in absorbing bumps and maintaining comfort. The vehicle's 2,578-kilogram curb weight and fluid steering affected its performance on twisty roads, while wind noise was noticeable at highway speeds. Observed fuel economy was 14.5 L/100 km, slightly above the expected 13.0 L/100 km.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine paired with an 118 hp traction motor, producing a total system output of 194 hp. This hybrid powertrain offered quicker and smoother acceleration compared to the gas-only Crosstrek, though highway performance remained modest. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators for engine start/stop functions and regenerative braking, contributing to a recorded fuel economy of 7.6 L/100 km during testing. Subaru's AWD system, combined with X-Mode traction management, provided enhanced capability on variable terrain. The Crosstrek's steering was light yet precise, with reduced body lean compared to previous models. The hybrid's off-road-oriented Wilderness trim introduced additional roll on pavement, but overall, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a balanced driving experience.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered spacious seating across three rows, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats providing heating and ventilation. The vehicle's tall seating position and large windows ensured excellent visibility, though the square side mirrors required careful adjustment. A panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row enhanced the cabin's airy feel. Storage space was ample in the front, but less accommodating for rear passengers. The Defender 130 excelled in third-row accessibility and comfort, with heated and supportive seats. The side-hinged cargo door, while heavy and awkward, provided access to 433 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,520 litres with all seats folded.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon previous iterations by offering more horsepower and cargo space. With a 527-litre cargo volume behind the rear seats and a total capacity of 1,433 litres, the hybrid model provided ample storage without compromising on trunk space. The Crosstrek Hybrid retained a 63-litre fuel tank, allowing for extended driving range. Rear-seat space was generous, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray housing a wireless charging pad and two cupholders. Despite these limitations, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a practical and spacious interior.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system, accessible via an 11.4-inch touchscreen. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and connected services. While previous iterations of Pivi Pro were criticized for slow response and a convoluted interface, the system performed well during testing, with accurate voice command recognition and an intuitive user experience. The Defender also included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and ease of parking. The optional Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, though the infotainment system lagged behind competitors in terms of performance. The software was slow, and the screen was prone to fingerprints. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, many controls were managed via touchscreen buttons, which could be frustrating. The Crosstrek Hybrid featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, offering configurable displays. However, the navigation map could not display Google Maps when using phone projection, requiring drivers to rely on the touchscreen for directions.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was equipped with a range of driver aids, including automatic high beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The system operated smoothly, though the lane keep assist occasionally attempted to steer the vehicle into a turnout area. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of testing, as the Defender is a low-volume model.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, scoring "Marginal" in the moderate overlap front crash test and "Acceptable" in the side-impact test. To address these issues, Subaru added side-curtain airbags to the rear seats. The NHTSA awarded the 2025 Crosstrek five stars in its overall safety rating. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and more. However, Subaru's semi-autonomous driving system was not on par with competitors.