2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2025 Lexus GX

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary design improvements seen in its predecessors, maintaining its attractive appeal. The most noticeable change was the front fascia, featuring a frameless grille with a curved wing bar that seamlessly connected with the headlights, creating a distinctive smile-like appearance. The aerodynamic enhancements, such as the black-plastic cladding around the wheel arches, improved fuel efficiency and reduced road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort, with soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The Canadian model featured black leather upholstery, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof, contributing to a comfortable and airy cabin atmosphere.

The 2025 Lexus GX underwent a complete redesign, presenting a striking new look reminiscent of classic Land Rover models. Its boxy shape, LED headlights, and large grille gave it a bold presence, complemented by 33-inch tires and a raised ride height. Inside, the GX exuded luxury with its clean and elegant design, featuring quality switchgear and chic dashboard and door trim. The spacious interior provided ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable seats offering heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The GX's visibility was excellent, thanks to its tall windows and elevated ride height, making it a standout choice for those seeking a luxurious and capable SUV.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a hybrid powertrain combining a 2.5-litre Boxer H4 engine with two motor-generators, producing a total system output of 194 horsepower. This made it the fastest Crosstrek model, offering quicker and smoother acceleration than its gas-only counterpart. The hybrid system utilized regenerative braking and a mechanical AWD system, enhancing its capability on variable terrain. Despite its improved performance, the Crosstrek Hybrid's fuel economy was slightly below expectations, recording 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. The X-Mode traction management system further enhanced its off-road capabilities, providing specific settings for different terrains.

The 2025 Lexus GX was powered by a twin-turbo 3.4-litre V6 engine, delivering 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This robust powertrain enabled the GX to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 6.5 seconds, a second faster than its V8 predecessor. The GX's performance was impressive, with ample power throughout the rev band, making highway merges effortless. However, its fuel economy was less favourable, averaging 19.0 L/100 km during testing. The GX's chassis and adaptive dampers provided a comfortable ride, while its off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like a low gear range and downhill assist control.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid offered improved cargo space compared to its predecessors, with 527 litres behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with the rear row folded. Its 63-litre fuel tank allowed for an impressive range of 829 kilometres between fill-ups. The Crosstrek Hybrid provided ample rear-seat space with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. However, front storage was limited, with a small tray, cupholders, and door pockets.

The 2025 Lexus GX excelled in interior space, offering generous headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The GX's cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 2,563 litres available with the second row folded. Its towing capacity of 4,111 kilograms made it a versatile choice for adventurers. Despite its spaciousness, the GX's dimensions allowed for easy manoeuvrability and parking, making it a practical option for urban environments.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its infotainment system lagged behind competitors in terms of usability. The software was slow, and many controls were managed via touchscreen buttons, which could be frustrating. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing an alternative to the Starlink software. The Crosstrek Hybrid also included a Harman Kardon stereo and a configurable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.

The 2025 Lexus GX boasted a user-friendly infotainment system with a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen. The system offered smooth operation, intuitive menus, and seamless integration with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio system provided excellent sound quality, although it required higher volume levels at highway speeds. The GX also featured six USB-C ports for connectivity and charging.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight advanced driver assistance systems, offering features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking. However, it did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, scoring "Marginal" in the moderate overlap front crash test. The NHTSA awarded it five stars in its overall safety rating.

The 2025 Lexus GX came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, providing adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, and other driver-assist features. The GX's safety systems operated smoothly and were not intrusive during testing. It also included a 360-degree camera system and trail-viewing cameras for enhanced visibility. The GX had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing but featured 10 airbags for occupant protection.