Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that commanded attention. Its exterior styling was reminiscent of a long sedan, despite being an SUV, with a long hood and low ground clearance. The vertical light bars and LED headlights added a modern touch, while the grille and lighting effects enhanced its unique style. The interior was crafted with attention to detail, featuring leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sleek steering wheel. However, the floating centre console was a design misstep, offering little functionality. The 33-inch OLED display was a standout feature, seamlessly integrated into the cabin without dominating the space.

In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid maintained a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort. Its design was straightforward, prioritizing function over flash, with clean lines and consistent material quality. The cabin featured soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics, with black leather upholstery in Canadian models. Chrome-trimmed power window switches added an upscale touch, while heated front seats and a power moonroof were standard. The Crosstrek Hybrid's interior was practical and comfortable, offering a thoughtful blend of utility and style.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was built for long-distance comfort rather than sportiness. It excelled on highways, offering a calm and poised ride with a dual-motor powertrain delivering 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Despite its power, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight of 2,630 kilograms, leading to understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The regenerative braking system was a welcome feature, but the overall chassis needed improvement.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, on the other hand, offered a more engaging driving experience. Its hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-litre engine with an 118 hp traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 hp. The hybrid was the fastest Crosstrek yet, with smooth acceleration and improved efficiency. The Crosstrek's AWD system and X-Mode traction management provided excellent off-road capability, while the revised steering rack and reduced body lean enhanced its on-road performance. Despite some underperformance in fuel efficiency, the Crosstrek Hybrid was a capable and versatile vehicle.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in functionality and build quality. Misaligned rear fenders, a faulty charging port, and a cumbersome glovebox were notable issues. The floating console offered limited storage, and the rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch. Despite generous headroom and legroom, the cargo space was limited, with 793 litres behind the seats and 1,722 litres when folded.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. With 527 litres of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres when folded, it provided ample storage. The Crosstrek Hybrid's fuel tank remained large at 63 litres, allowing for long-distance travel without frequent refuelling. Rear-seat space was generous, with 926 millimetres of legroom, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering a user-friendly interface with native Google Maps and Google Assistant. The Super Cruise system was a highlight, providing hands-free driving with lane-switching capabilities. The 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered excellent sound quality, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its software was slow and laggy compared to competitors. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the reliance on touchscreen controls for essential functions was frustrating. The Harman Kardon stereo and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster were impressive, but the overall tech experience fell short of expectations.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ offered a range of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. However, it received a poor rating for its headlights from the IIHS and had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight advanced driver assistance systems, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. While it did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, it scored well in NHTSA testing, earning five stars in its overall safety rating.