Hyundai Tucson vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson, a continuation of the fourth generation introduced in 2022, maintained its striking design with sharp angles and a distinctive grille-headlight integration. This design choice gave the Tucson a contemporary and athletic appearance, even in the typically unflattering white colour. The Tucson's interior mirrored its exterior's modernity, offering a refined cabin with advanced technology that was user-friendly, despite some minor inconveniences like the absence of a volume dial. The Tucson's trim levels in Canada ranged from the base Preferred to the top-tier Ultimate, each adding more features and luxury, such as leather upholstery and advanced driver assistance technologies.

In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, part of the third generation, carried forward the evolutionary improvements from its 2024 redesign. The Crosstrek's exterior updates were subtle, with the most noticeable change being the frameless grille that seamlessly connected with the headlights. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a balance of rugged utility and comfort, with consistent material quality and thoughtful design. The Canadian version featured black leather upholstery and standard amenities like heated seats and a power moonroof. The Crosstrek Hybrid was available in a single, well-equipped trim, emphasizing practicality and comfort.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson in Canada came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. While adequate for city driving, the engine struggled with highway acceleration and produced noticeable noise. For those seeking more power, the Tucson Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid offered 226 and 261 horsepower, respectively, though they featured a less intuitive button-style shifter. The Tucson excelled in handling and ride quality, providing a comfortable and well-rounded driving experience.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, equipped with a 2.5-litre engine and an 118 hp traction motor, delivered a total system output of 194 horsepower. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with smoother acceleration than its gas-only counterpart. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators for improved efficiency and regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. Subaru's AWD system and X-Mode traction management enhanced the Crosstrek's capability on varied terrain, though the steering remained light and somewhat disconnected.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson offered impressive cargo space, with up to 2,119 litres available when the rear seats were folded, and 1,097 litres with them in use. The hands-free power liftgate, available on trims above the base Preferred, provided convenience without the need for awkward foot movements. The Tucson comfortably seated five passengers, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows, making it suitable for longer trips. The cabin featured numerous storage options, including deep cup holders and a wireless charging pad.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more cargo space, with 527 litres behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with them folded. The hybrid's fuel tank remained a generous 63 litres, allowing for extended travel between fill-ups. Rear-seat space was ample, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. However, front storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging and deep door pockets.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a fully digital instrument panel. While the layout was intuitive, the lack of wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay was a drawback. The haptic volume toggle was less user-friendly than traditional dials, but the system's functionality with gloves was a plus. Hyundai's remote start system was also praised for its seamless operation.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the system lagged behind competitors in terms of responsiveness and ease of use. The screen was prone to fingerprints, and many controls were managed via touchscreen buttons rather than physical ones. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Crosstrek Hybrid included a Harman Kardon stereo and a configurable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson boasted a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Ultimate trim added advanced features like a 360-degree camera system and Smart Park remote-parking. The Tucson received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a Top Safety Pick+ designation for the 2023 model.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight advanced driver assistance systems, offering features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and reverse automatic braking. While the 2025 Crosstrek did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, it scored well in NHTSA testing. The 2026 model had not yet been rated by either organization.