Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Buick Envista

The 2024 Buick Envista, while sharing its platform with the Chevy Trax, took a distinct styling path with its sloping roofline, giving it a "crossover coupe" appearance reminiscent of luxury models like the BMW X2, X4, and X6. This design choice, while potentially compromising rear visibility, was deemed acceptable. The front-end styling, inspired by the Buick Wildcat EV concept, featured a split lighting design with daytime running lights positioned above the actual headlights, which were integrated into vertical elements flanking the grille. This sleek arrangement, similar to those seen on the Hyundai Kona and Jeep Cherokee, was a first for Buick, designed specifically for the Envista, and was expected to influence future Buick electric models.

The interior of the Envista mirrored the Trax cabin but with a more streamlined look, featuring softer materials on the dashboard and door armrests, albeit with a somewhat artificial texture. The cabin offered a slight upgrade from the Trax, with cloth-and-leatherette upholstery on the base model and leather seats standard on the Avenir trim. The flat-bottom steering wheel and eight-way power driver's seat were standard across all trims in Canada. Despite these enhancements, the Envista remained an entry-level vehicle, offering a modest step up from its sibling.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, part of the third generation of Crosstreks, continued Subaru's tradition of evolutionary improvements. The 2026 model retained changes from the 2024 redesign, 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 aerodynamic air inlets and outlets in the wheel arch cladding improved fuel efficiency and reduced road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, maintaining Subaru's straightforward design philosophy. Material quality was consistent, with soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The Canadian model featured black leather upholstery, 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 an airy cabin atmosphere.

The 2024 Buick Envista was powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This powertrain, shared with the Trax, offered a refined driving experience, delivering power smoothly. Unlike its predecessor, the Buick Encore, the Envista did not offer an all-wheel-drive option, differentiating it from the Encore GX. The suspension setup included a torsion-beam rear suspension for base models and a Buick-exclusive Watts Link rear suspension for models with 19-inch wheels, enhancing ride quality. The front suspension featured a MacPherson strut setup with Buick-specific bushings and damper tuning, contributing to a quieter ride. The Envista handled bumps well but felt unsettled on less-than-perfect pavement, though it accelerated with urgency and offered a more comfortable ride than the Trax.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine and an 118 hp traction motor, delivering 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 included 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, combined with Subaru's X-Mode traction management, offered superior off-road capability compared to electric AWD systems. The Crosstrek's steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and body lean was reduced compared to older models.

The 2024 Buick Envista, 36 centimetres longer than the Buick Encore, featured a 14.5-centimetre wheelbase stretch, enhancing interior space. Rear-seat legroom increased by 7.6 cm, and shoulder room grew by 5 cm, though headroom decreased slightly due to the coupe-like roofline. The seats were comfortable, and a power moonroof was optional on Sport Touring and standard on Avenir. The Envista offered 586 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,189 litres with them folded, less than the Trax and the old Encore.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, Subaru's third hybrid attempt, offered more horsepower and cargo space than previous versions. With a 527-litre cargo volume behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with them folded, it surpassed the PHEV model. The Crosstrek Hybrid retained a 63-litre fuel tank, allowing for long-distance travel without refuelling. Rear-seat space was generous, with 926 millimetres of legroom, significantly more than the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging, cupholders, and deep door pockets.

The 2024 Buick Envista came standard with an 11-inch touchscreen and 8-inch digital instrument cluster, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The interface was user-friendly, with retained buttons and knobs for climate control and audio volume. However, the centre stack's tilt towards the driver made controls a reach for passengers. Optional tech features were limited, with wireless phone charging standard only on the Avenir trim.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the software was slow and laggy, with too many controls managed via touchscreen buttons. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and physical buttons were available for volume, tuning, and HVAC controls. The Crosstrek Hybrid included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though the navigation map couldn't display Google Maps from phone projections.

The 2024 Buick Envista's crash-test ratings were unavailable, but it included standard driver assist tech like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. In Canada, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid did not receive a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, scoring "Marginal" in the moderate overlap front crash test and "Acceptable" in the side-impact test. The NHTSA gave the 2025 model five stars overall. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera.