Nissan Rogue vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2025 Nissan Rogue in Canada offered a diverse lineup with six trims, including the base S, SV, Midnight Edition, SV Premium, SL, and the top-tier Platinum. The SV trim was particularly popular due to its reasonable price of $40,685, which included a destination charge and other fees. It came equipped with desirable features such as an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, and a power liftgate. All-wheel drive, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel were standard across all Canadian models. The Platinum trim, which we tested, boasted luxurious touches like semi-aniline leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google built-in capability was a highlight, offering seamless navigation and connectivity. The Rogue's design, with its blocky shape, large grille, and thin headlights, gave it a bold presence, complemented by 19-inch alloy wheels.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary improvements seen in previous generations. It retained the changes introduced in 2024, including 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 was sold in a single trim in Canada, offering a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort. The cabin featured black leather upholstery and thoughtful design elements like chrome-trimmed power window switches. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof. The Crosstrek Hybrid's design prioritized function over flash, maintaining Subaru's straightforward design philosophy.

The 2025 Nissan Rogue was powered by a 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, which provided adequate performance for everyday driving. While it lacked the punch of a four-cylinder engine, the Rogue's drivetrain managed to deliver a smooth and quiet ride, thanks to its continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CVT, a hallmark of Nissan's engineering, offered a refined driving experience without sacrificing fuel economy. The Rogue's steering was light and accurate, making it easy to handle, though it didn't offer the sporty feel of some competitors. Braking was smooth and predictable, adding to the overall driving comfort.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle 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 noticeably quicker acceleration than its gas-only counterpart. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other for driving the wheels 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, combined with X-Mode traction management, provided excellent off-road capability, although it did impact fuel efficiency. The Crosstrek's steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and it exhibited less body lean than previous models.

The 2025 Nissan Rogue's interior was a testament to Nissan's commitment to quality. The Platinum model featured quilted leather seating and upmarket trim, but even the base model offered a cabin that felt premium. The steering wheel was chunky and slightly flat-bottomed, and controls were easily accessible without relying solely on the touchscreen. Rear legroom measured 978 millimetres, and the cargo space behind the second row was 1,028 litres. The Divide-and-Hide storage system added versatility to the cargo area. Throughout the cabin, storage solutions were generous and cleverly designed, including a compartment beneath the centre console for valuables.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more cargo space and maintaining a large 63-litre fuel tank. Cargo volume behind the rear seats was 527 litres, expanding to 1,433 litres with the rear seats folded. The Crosstrek Hybrid provided 926 millimetres of rear-seat legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging and two cupholders. Despite these limitations, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a practical and spacious interior for its class.

The 2025 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen in the lower trims, while the upper trims boasted a larger 12.3-inch screen with wireless smartphone connectivity. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response times and crisp graphics. Google navigation was particularly useful during our test drive. ProPilot Assist allowed for hands-free operation on pre-mapped roads, enhancing the driving experience. A wireless charging pad was conveniently located at the base of the centre console, ensuring devices stayed charged during the journey.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its performance lagged behind competitors. The software was slow, and the screen was prone to fingerprints. Many controls were managed via touchscreen buttons, which could be frustrating. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing drivers to bypass 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, although not Google Maps from phone projections.

The 2025 Nissan Rogue received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the side impact test. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Optional features included a head-up display, ProPilot Assist, and a surround-view camera system.

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 stars for overall safety. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and more. Despite lacking a semi-autonomous driving system, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a comprehensive suite of safety features.