GMC Yukon vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2022 GMC Yukon was a vehicle that embraced chrome with gusto, offering a premium look even at the base SLE model. As one ascended the trim levels to the Denali, the chrome elements became even more pronounced, with the front of the Denali almost entirely constructed of chrome. The oversized, multi-dimensional grille resembled an industrial-sized cheese grater, yet it worked to give the vehicle a unique and commanding presence. The Denali's 22-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, part of the optional Ultimate package, stood out against the dark Redwood Metallic paint. Inside, the Yukon offered a spacious cabin with standard seating for eight, or seven with the optional second-row captain's chairs. The Denali trim featured four exclusive interior designs, with the Teak/Light Shale colour combo providing a premium look through contrasting colours, unique stitching, and natural wood details.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary improvements seen in previous generations, maintaining its attractive design. The 2026 model carried forward changes from 2024, including new sheet metal and chassis construction. The most noticeable update was the frameless grille with a curved wing bar, creating a visual connection with the headlights. The black-plastic cladding around the wheel arches included aerodynamic air inlets and outlets, improving fuel efficiency and reducing road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort, with a straightforward design prioritizing function. Material quality was consistent, with soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The Canadian model featured black leather upholstery, and the cabin included chrome-trimmed power window switches and "Hybrid"-stitched floor mats. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered a choice of three engines, including a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, standard on all trims except the Denali. The Denali and AT4 trims featured a 6.2-litre V8 producing 420 hp and 460 pound-feet of torque. A 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, known as the "Baby Duramax," was available on all trims except the AT4, delivering 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Yukon had a maximum towing capacity of 3,810 kilograms with the 5.3-litre engine and Max Trailering Package. The independent rear suspension improved handling and ride quality, while the optional air ride adaptive suspension provided a smoother ride and increased ground clearance for off-roading.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre engine paired with an 118 hp traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 hp. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with quicker and smoother acceleration than the gas-only version. The hybrid powertrain included two motor-generators, with one handling engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other assisting with wheel movement and regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid recorded 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. The Crosstrek's AWD system, combined with Subaru's X-Mode traction management, provided better capability on variable terrain compared to competitors. The steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and the vehicle exhibited less body lean than previous models.

The 2022 GMC Yukon offered ample passenger space, especially in the third row, which saw an increase in legroom to 886 mm. Cargo space behind the third row increased to 722 litres, thanks to a longer wheelbase and independent rear suspension. The second-row seats folded flat, and power fold-and-tumble bucket seats were available for easier access to the third row. The Denali trim featured a power-sliding centre console with hidden storage, and power-retractable assist steps were part of the Denali Ultimate Package. The pushbutton transmission controls were a modern touch, located to the left of the infotainment touchscreen.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved on previous iterations by offering more horsepower and cargo space. The cargo volume behind the rear seats measured 527 litres, with a total capacity of 1,433 litres when the rear row was folded. The fuel tank remained at 63 litres, allowing for a range of 829 kilometres. The rear-seat space offered 926 millimetres of legroom, more than the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray housing a wireless charging pad and two cupholders. The Crosstrek Hybrid provided a practical and spacious interior without compromising on cargo capacity.

The 2022 GMC Yukon featured a 12-inch reconfigurable driver information centre, a 15-inch head-up display, and a 10.2-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and wireless phone charging. The Denali trim had a Bose 14-speaker audio system and a rear-seat media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreens. The technology package provided a comprehensive suite of features, although the Bose audio system's sound quality was not as rich as expected.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the software was slow and lagged when swiping between screens. The system was a fingerprint magnet, and many controls were managed via touchscreen buttons. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with physical buttons for volume, tuning, and HVAC controls. The Crosstrek Hybrid featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, which could display navigation maps, although not Google Maps when using phone projection.

The 2022 GMC Yukon included GMC's Pro Safety suite, featuring automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. The Pro Safety Plus package added lane-change alert, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Safety Alert Seat and rear camera mirror enhanced safety further. The Yukon received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection, five stars for side crash protection, and three stars for rollover resistance.

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. The NHTSA gave the 2025 Crosstrek a five-star overall safety rating. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and more. The DriverFocus system and surround-view camera added to the vehicle's safety features.