Honda Odyssey vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2025 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar design lineage that harked back to its 2011 predecessor, offering a well-worn aesthetic that was as predictable as a Dad joke. Its interior followed suit with a traditional layout of buttons, knobs, and physical switchgear, which, while old-school, was appreciated for its practicality. The controls were easy to locate and use, thanks to bright white markings on matte black backgrounds. In Canada, the Odyssey was available in Sport, Sport-L, Touring, and Black Edition trims, with the base price starting at $53,056. The Black Edition topped the range at $63,256. The U.S. Touring trim test vehicle featured high-quality leather seats, although styling was not its primary selling point.

In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid was part of the third generation of Crosstreks, showcasing evolutionary improvements in 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, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, featuring soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. Canadian models came with black leather upholstery, and the cabin offered thoughtful design elements like 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 2025 Honda Odyssey was not designed for driving enthusiasts, but it delivered a rewarding experience for a minivan. It housed a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The Odyssey lacked AWD and hybrid options, unlike some competitors. Natural Resources Canada rated its fuel economy at 10.6 L/100 km combined, but real-world testing showed 13.2 L/100 km on an evaluation loop and 9.8 L/100 km during a highway-heavy road trip. Despite its fuel economy, the Odyssey offered a natural driving experience with responsive steering and braking. It handled twisty roads with genuine athleticism, although past experiences noted brake rumble in hot weather. The Odyssey excelled in highway comfort and city navigation, though it lacked a surround-view camera system.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came standard with AWD and a CVT. It featured a 2.5-litre engine paired with an 118 hp traction motor, delivering a total system output of 194 hp. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with smoother acceleration than the gas-only version. The hybrid powertrain used two motor-generators and a 2.5-litre Boxer H4 engine, with regenerative braking to charge the battery. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid recorded 7.6 L/100 km, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. The hybrid offered improved fuel efficiency over the non-hybrid Crosstrek, which returned 8.9 L/100 km city, 7.2 highway, and 8.1 combined. Subaru's AWD system provided better terrain capability than electric AWD systems, aided by the X-Mode traction management system. The Crosstrek's steering was light but precise, with reduced body lean compared to older models.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey excelled in carrying capacity, accommodating eight passengers and offering up to 3,973 litres of cargo space. It featured power-adjustable front seats with standard heated options and a heated steering wheel. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided flexibility, allowing for various configurations and easy access to the third row. However, they lacked heating and ventilation, and removing them for maximum cargo space was cumbersome. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults or children, with easy folding into the storage well. The Odyssey offered ample storage throughout the cabin, with features like an overhead conversation mirror and Cabin Talk intercom.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved on its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. It provided 527 litres of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with the rear row folded. The hybrid maintained a large 63-litre fuel tank, allowing for long-distance travel without frequent refuelling. Rear-seat space was generous, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. The front storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging and deep door pockets.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey received a technology update with a 7-inch digital driver display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C charging ports throughout the cabin. However, the infotainment system's graphics were dated, and voice recognition was not intuitive. The rear-seat entertainment system required a personal device connection, which proved frustrating. Despite these shortcomings, pairing an iPhone and using Apple CarPlay was seamless.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the software was slow and prone to fingerprints. Many controls were managed via touchscreen buttons, which was less convenient than physical controls. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing an alternative to the Starlink software. The Crosstrek Hybrid included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, although the navigation map did not display Google Maps when using phone projection.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Touring and Black Edition trims added parking sensors. The Odyssey performed well in NHTSA and IIHS safety tests, except for a "Poor" rating in a new evaluation.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and more. It also had a surround-view camera and DriverFocus driver distraction mitigation system. The 2025 Crosstrek received a "Marginal" rating in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and an "Acceptable" in the side-impact test, prompting Subaru to add side-curtain airbags to the rear seats. NHTSA awarded the 2025 Crosstrek five stars in its overall safety rating.