Nissan Murano vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2025 Nissan Murano showcased a completely revamped front design, featuring a next-gen lighting signature with a wing motif of horizontal lines that seamlessly integrated into the grille's slats. This new face bore little resemblance to its predecessor, appearing wider due to its horizontal design elements and increased dimensions. The Murano's side profile was accentuated by a chrome arch lining the windows, intersecting with black trim at the rear, while the winged LEDs and chrome strip, though not original, contributed to its sharp appearance. The interior, while not as dramatically updated as the exterior, adopted a modern, horizontally oriented dash layout with a streamlined infotainment system and fewer buttons, enhancing functionality and aesthetics.

In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid retained its evolutionary design improvements, carrying forward changes from 2024 with 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 Crosstrek Hybrid's interior balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, maintaining Subaru's straightforward design philosophy. Material quality was consistent, with soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics, while black leather upholstery was standard in Canadian units. The cabin featured thoughtful accents like chrome-trimmed power window switches and "Hybrid"-stitched floor mats, with standard heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof enhancing comfort.

The 2025 Nissan Murano introduced a new powertrain with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, known as VC-Turbo, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivered 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, offering improved acceleration compared to the previous V6. The nine-speed automatic transmission was a significant upgrade over the old CVT, enhancing the Murano's responsiveness. Standard all-wheel drive provided stability, while features like Transparent Hood View improved visibility. Noise cancellation was effective, especially in the Platinum AWD trim with the enhanced Bose audio system.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine and an 118 hp traction motor, resulting in 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 system utilized two motor-generators for engine start/stop, battery charging, and wheel assistance. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid recorded 7.6 L/100 km, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. Subaru's AWD system, combined with X-Mode traction management, offered superior off-road capability compared to competitors. The steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack.

The 2025 Nissan Murano continued to offer impressive comfort features, with standard heated and power-adjustable front seats. The Platinum trim added massage functionality, easily accessible via a button near the seat controls. The interior featured Nissan's Zero Gravity seats, providing comfort despite their deep design. Front-row space improved with increased leg and headroom, while the second row lost some legroom. Cargo volume was competitive, with 931 litres behind the rear seats and 1,798 litres with seats folded. A power liftgate was standard, with foot activation on the Platinum trim.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved on previous iterations by offering more horsepower and cargo space. The absence of a large battery allowed for 527 litres of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with seats folded. The fuel tank remained at 63 litres, enabling long-distance travel without frequent refueling. Rear-seat space was generous, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, but a wireless charging pad and cupholders were available.

The 2025 Nissan Murano was well-equipped with tech features, including wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The dual 12.3-inch screens housed infotainment and driver information displays, with four USB type C ports standard. The SL trim added Google Built-In, a Bose audio system, and ambient lighting. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, enhancing the tech offerings.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the software was slow and prone to fingerprints. Many controls were touchscreen-based, which was less user-friendly. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with physical buttons for essential functions. The Crosstrek Hybrid featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a configurable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though it lacked Google Maps integration.

The 2025 Nissan Murano included the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, with features like lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking. ProPILOT Assist was standard, with advanced versions on higher trims. The Murano earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, with improvements in airbags and visibility. The SL and Platinum trims offered a 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor and Transparent Hood View.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid did not receive a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, but the NHTSA awarded it five stars. Subaru's EyeSight ADAS was standard, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Crosstrek Hybrid also featured a surround-view camera and DriverFocus system, though it lacked a semi-autonomous driving system.