Mitsubishi Outlander vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary improvements seen in its predecessors, maintaining its attractive design. The most noticeable update was the front fascia, featuring a frameless grille with a curved wing bar that seamlessly connected with 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 prioritizing 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 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander presented a bold exterior design with a distinctive face, featuring a thin upper eyebrow as a daytime running light and a large, square headlight highlighted by a chrome bezel. Despite subtle changes to the grille and diffuser, the Outlander retained its unique appearance. Inside, the top GT Premium trim offered quilted leather seats and soft-touch surfaces, with physical controls for the HVAC system. The Yamaha speaker faces in the doors added a touch of elegance, inspired by traditional Japanese geometric patterns. While some plastic elements attempted to mimic high-end textures, the overall interior experience was enhanced by features like heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came standard with all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission. It offered a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder gas engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, elevating it from slowpoke status to a mid-pack option in the subcompact crossover segment. The hybrid version, however, was the fastest Crosstrek, with a total system output of 194 horsepower, thanks to its 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine paired with an 118 hp traction motor. The hybrid powertrain utilized two motor-generators, enhancing efficiency and providing smoother acceleration. 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 the X-Mode traction management system, ensured capable performance on variable terrain.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While comparable to competitors like the Mazda CX-50 and Honda CR-V, the Outlander struggled with acceleration, and its CVT exhibited a droning rubber-band feeling. Despite being divided into eight steps, the transmission groaned under duress. The Outlander's fuel economy was rated at 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres combined, falling short of some rivals. The plug-in hybrid version offered a more powerful alternative, with 248 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, achieving a fuel rating of 3.6 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres and 61 kilometres of all-electric range.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more cargo space, with 527 litres behind the rear seats and a total capacity of 1,433 litres when the rear row was folded. The hybrid's fuel tank remained a generous 63 litres, allowing for extended driving range. Rear-seat space was ample, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage options were limited, with a small tray housing a wireless charging pad and two cupholders.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander included a third row of seating, though it was suitable only for small children due to its limited 475 millimetres of legroom. With the third row in place, cargo space was restricted to less than 308 litres, but folding the seats increased storage capacity to 866 litres. The driver's seat featured digital HVAC controls with physical buttons for fan control and seat heating. The top-line model offered heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. However, the cupholders were shallow, causing issues with securing beverages during driving.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, though its software was slow and prone to lag. The screen was a fingerprint magnet, 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, though the navigation map couldn't display Google Maps.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander boasted a Yamaha premium sound system, with upper trims offering a 12-speaker, 1,650-watt system. The sound system could be customized with different modes and adjusted based on car speed and ambient noise. The Outlander featured a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a physical volume knob and camera system button. Upper trims included a digital gauge cluster, rear camera mirror, and head-up display. Mitsubishi Connect and Remote Services were available, offering features like remote start and live traffic information.

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. However, the NHTSA awarded it five out of five stars in its overall safety rating. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight advanced driver assistance systems, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and more.

The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander offered a limited suite of ADAS features as standard, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition. The NHTSA had not rated the 2025 model, but the 2024 version received favourable ratings. The IIHS gave the 2025 Outlander a "Good" rating for its headlights, with previous models receiving positive ratings for crashworthiness and front crash prevention.