Land Rover Range Rover vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover continued to uphold its legacy as a symbol of luxury and subtlety. Despite its fifth-generation update, the Range Rover maintained a design that was not drastically different from its predecessor, the L405 model. The vehicle's exterior was characterized by its ample size and minimal detailing, which conveyed a sense of high-end status without the ostentatious flair seen in some of its competitors. The interior mirrored this simplicity, with a focus on minimalism that included a touchscreen, an engine start button, and a shifter. While the materials used in the long-wheelbase SE test car were mostly high-quality, there was a noticeable amount of plastic for a vehicle in its price range.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, on the other hand, presented a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort. The third-generation Crosstrek carried forward the evolutionary improvements introduced in 2024, with subtle exterior updates like a frameless grille and aerodynamic air inlets. Inside, the cabin maintained Subaru's straightforward design philosophy, offering soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The Canadian model featured black leather upholstery, and the interior was equipped with chrome-trimmed power window switches and "Hybrid"-stitched floor mats. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof, contributing to a comfortable and airy atmosphere.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The entry-level engine was a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six with a mild hybrid system, producing 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid version of this engine delivered 543 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The V8 option, sourced from BMW, provided 523 hp and 553 lb-ft in SE and Autobiography models, and 606 hp and 553 lb-ft in the Range Rover SV. The SV model could accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 260 km/h. Despite its size, the Range Rover offered excellent ride quality and body control, making it comfortable and easy to drive. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like a two-speed transfer case, Terrain Response drive modes, and height-adjustable air suspension.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came standard with AWD and a CVT. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine with an 118 hp traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 hp. This made the hybrid the fastest Crosstrek to date, with smoother acceleration than the gas-only version. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators for engine start/stop functions and regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid recorded 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. Subaru's AWD system, combined with X-Mode traction management, provided superior off-road capabilities compared to competitors like the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover offered a spacious interior with various seating configurations. Three-row models accommodated seven passengers, while two-row models seated five. The long-wheelbase version provided 1,220 millimetres of second-row legroom, unmatched among luxury SUVs. Cargo space was limited with the third row in place, but folding the seats increased capacity to 857 litres and 2,050 litres, respectively. The Range Rover's split tailgate and air suspension facilitated loading and unloading. It could tow up to 3,720 kilograms, comparable to other luxury SUVs.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. The hybrid's cargo volume measured 527 litres behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with the rear row folded. The fuel tank remained a generous 63 litres, allowing for long-distance travel without frequent refuelling. Rear-seat legroom was ample at 926 millimetres, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. While front storage was limited, the Crosstrek Hybrid included practical features like a wireless charging pad and deep door pockets.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover featured a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, while a 35-speaker Meridian audio system was available on higher trims. The Pivi Pro infotainment system, though improved, suffered from a lack of physical controls, making it less user-friendly. The natural-language voice recognition system helped mitigate some of these issues, allowing for easier control of certain functions.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the infotainment system lagged behind competitors. 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 featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, which could display navigation maps.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover included standard driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. A 360-degree camera system was also standard, though it required manual activation at times. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, but it scored well in NHTSA testing. Subaru's EyeSight ADAS suite was standard, offering features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and reverse automatic braking. The Crosstrek Hybrid also included a surround-view camera and the DriverFocus distraction mitigation system.