Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Ford Bronco Sport

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact SUV that embraced rugged styling, setting itself apart from the more urban-focused Ford Escape. It featured a rectangular grille with round headlights and "Bronco" lettering, reminiscent of its larger sibling, the standard Bronco. While it didn't offer convertible features like removable doors, the Bronco Sport maintained a square silhouette with a long, flat hood and upright greenhouse, giving it a cute yet rugged appearance. The 2025 model introduced off-road packages like the Black Diamond and Sasquatch, which added modular steel bumpers, bash plates, and skid plates for enhanced off-road protection. The interior, though less distinctive, was functional, with new centre-console grab handles and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories, ensuring it was ready for off-road adventures.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary improvements seen in previous generations, maintaining its attractive design. The 2026 model carried forward changes from 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 aerodynamic air inlets and outlets around the wheel arches improved fuel efficiency and reduced road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort, with soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. Canadian models featured black leather upholstery, while the U.S. version had grey StarTex artificial leather. The cabin included chrome-trimmed power window switches and "Hybrid"-stitched floor mats, with standard features like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport retained its powertrain options from the previous year, with most trims featuring a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model offered a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive was standard. The AWD system included a dual-clutch rear-drive unit for torque vectoring, enhancing off-road capability. The Bronco Sport's off-road prowess was further supported by features like Trail Control and a new one-pedal feature for 2025. The Sasquatch Package added 29-inch all-terrain tires, off-road suspension, and steel underbody protection. The Bronco Sport's G.O.A.T. modes allowed it to tackle various terrains, and it impressed with its on-road comfort and composure despite its off-road focus.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid offered a new hybrid powertrain, making it the fastest Crosstrek to date. The hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine with an 118 hp traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 hp. The hybrid powertrain provided smoother acceleration compared to the gas-only Crosstrek, although it didn't feel significantly faster on the highway. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators, with one handling engine start/stop and battery charging, while the other assisted with driving 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, ensured capable performance on various terrains. 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 Ford Bronco Sport offered practicality without compromising its off-road focus. It provided more headroom in both rows compared to competitors like the Jeep Compass Trailhawk and Subaru Forester Wilderness. While it excelled in first-row legroom, it lagged in second-row legroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 920 litres behind the rear seats and 1,846 litres with them folded, though higher trims had slightly reduced capacity. The Bronco Sport featured generous cupholders, a wireless charging pad, and a dedicated device tray with USB ports. It could tow up to 1,225 kilograms with the turbo-four engine, surpassing the Jeep Compass Trailhawk but falling short of the Subaru Forester Wilderness.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved on its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. It provided 527 litres of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with them folded. The hybrid's fuel tank remained a generous 63 litres, allowing for long-distance travel without frequent refueling. Rear-seat space was ample, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray housing a wireless charging pad and two cupholders. The Crosstrek Hybrid's practicality and spaciousness made it a versatile choice for various needs.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport upgraded to the Ford Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, enhancing the vehicle's premium feel. The infotainment graphics were detailed and easy to read, with split-screen functionality for Apple CarPlay. An available 360-degree camera system provided safety and off-road assistance, with cameras that remained active in off-road modes. The system's split-screen view helped drivers navigate obstacles with ease.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its infotainment system 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 featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, which could display navigation maps. Despite these features, the infotainment system fell short of expectations.

The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in frontal and side crash tests. The IIHS awarded it a "Good" score in the small overlap front test and a "Marginal" score in the updated moderate overlap front test. The Bronco Sport's standard Co-Pilot360 safety suite included features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Reverse automatic emergency braking and traffic sign recognition were optional on certain trims.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, scoring "Marginal" in the moderate overlap front test. However, the NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Subaru's EyeSight ADAS suite was standard on the Crosstrek Hybrid, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and more. The DriverFocus system helped mitigate driver distraction, but Subaru lacked a semi-autonomous driving system comparable to competitors.