Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary design improvements that Subaru had been implementing since the model's inception. The third-generation Crosstrek maintained its attractive appearance, with subtle updates that were hard to spot at first glance. The most noticeable change was the front fascia, featuring a frameless grille with a curved wing bar that seamlessly connected to the headlights, creating a distinctive smile-like appearance. The aerodynamic air inlets and outlets integrated into the black-plastic cladding around the wheel arches enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort, with a straightforward design that prioritized function. The cabin featured soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics, with Canadian models boasting black leather upholstery. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof, contributing to a comfortable and airy atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its distinctive and elegant appearance, characterized by a steeply angled windshield and rear window, a gently sloping roofline, and large upright body sections. The pop-out door handles and wide taillight strip added trendy styling elements, while the clamshell hood and narrow lights contributed to a tall and blunt front end. The Range Rover Sport appeared narrow and tall, which was advantageous for off-road driving and interior headroom. The SV Carbon trim stood out with its two-tone hood featuring exposed carbon fibre and additional carbon garnishes. The 23-inch carbon wheels, with their intricate weaves, were a testament to the SV's performance credibility. The interior design evolved from the previous generation, with a minimalist aesthetic that some found too minimal. While the look and feel of the materials were top-notch, the abundance of black plastic in the centre stack and console left some areas feeling cold and barren.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came standard with all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission. It featured a 2.5-litre Boxer H4 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 improved acceleration and smoothness compared to the gas-only version. The hybrid powertrain utilized two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other as a drive motor and for regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid recorded 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. The hybrid's mechanical AWD system provided better capability on variable terrain compared to electric AWD systems. The X-Mode traction management system offered specific settings for different conditions, enhancing off-road performance. 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 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered three powertrains, each with two states of tune. The standard engine was a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, while the Dynamic SE trim added an electric supercharger for 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. A plug-in hybrid version with a 32-kilowatt-hour battery pack and electric motor provided up to 85 kilometres of gas-free driving, with a total output of 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The BMW-built V8 engine, available on higher trims, delivered 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the SV trims boasted 626 hp from a revised ECU tune and sport exhaust system. The Range Rover Sport featured adaptive dampers and air springs, allowing for impressive off-road capability and a smooth ride. The SV Carbon trim's handling was exceptional, with interconnected dampers replacing anti-roll bars, reducing body roll and enhancing wheel control. The vehicle's brakes were reliable, and the ride quality was both creamy and hushed.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. With a cargo volume of 527 litres behind the rear seats and a total capacity of 1,433 litres with the rear row folded, it provided ample storage. The fuel tank remained a generous 63 litres, 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. However, front storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging and two cupholders. The Crosstrek Hybrid's practicality and spaciousness made it a compelling choice for those seeking a versatile and efficient vehicle.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a spacious interior with ample legroom and headroom in all outboard positions. The seats were heated and electrically adjustable, with memory settings and ventilation options available. Cargo space measured 592 litres behind the rear seats, with a total of 1,267 litres when the rear seats were folded. While the cargo capacity was smaller than some midsize SUVs, the vehicle's towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms was impressive. The Range Rover Sport's over-engineering contributed to its exceptional roadholding and off-road capability. However, the lack of physical controls for basic functions, such as climate control and driving mode selection, was a drawback, as most functions were hidden in the touchscreen interface.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its infotainment system was not as competitive as those in the Kia Niro Hybrid or Hyundai Kona. The software was slow and prone to lag, and many controls were managed via touchscreen buttons rather than physical controls. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing drivers to bypass the Starlink software. The Crosstrek Hybrid also included 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 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's 13.1-inch display offered advanced features like the Wade Sensing app and 4x4i app, which provided detailed information about the vehicle's performance and terrain response modes. Apple CarPlay worked seamlessly in full screen, and the factory navigation and audio interface were user-friendly. The instrument panel offered configurable layouts, and the surround-view cameras provided clear visuals. The Meridian Signature stereo was a highlight, although not as impressive as the full-size Range Rover's system. Despite its advanced technology, the Range Rover Sport's reliance on touchscreen controls for basic functions was a drawback.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and automatic emergency braking. It also featured a surround-view camera, DriverFocus driver distraction mitigation system, and reverse automatic braking. However, the 2025 model 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 awarded it five stars in its overall safety rating, but ratings for the 2026 model were not yet available.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. It also featured a surround-view camera system, traffic sign recognition, and a driver attention monitor. However, it lacked front knee airbags, a front central airbag, and rear side airbags. No crash-test ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA were available, but the Euro NCAP awarded it a five-star rating.