Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Honda Prologue

The 2024 Honda Prologue presented a design that was refreshingly normal for an electric vehicle. Its exterior, available in a variety of colours, could easily blend into everyday traffic. The front featured a smooth black panel with the iconic Honda "H" logo, emphasizing its electric nature by eliminating the need for air cooling. Accessories like skid plates and side cladding allowed for personalization, adding a rugged touch to its otherwise sleek appearance. The Prologue's side profile was elongated, with large wheels that accentuated its low roofline, giving it a unique stance. Inside, the Touring trim offered a comfortable and upscale feel, with a layout reminiscent of other Honda models. The interior was familiar yet upscale, with leather seating in higher trims and a straightforward dash design.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the brand's tradition of evolutionary design improvements. The third-generation model retained its attractive appearance, with subtle updates like a frameless grille and aerodynamic cladding around the wheel arches. These changes enhanced both aesthetics and efficiency. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, featuring soft-touch materials and durable plastics. The Canadian model came with black leather upholstery, adding a touch of luxury. Chrome-trimmed power window switches and "Hybrid"-stitched floor mats were notable details. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof, contributing to a comfortable and airy cabin environment.

The 2024 Honda Prologue offered a standard all-wheel-drive system in Canada, delivering 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque through its dual-motor setup. The Touring trim's 21-inch wheels provided a range of 439 kilometres, while the EX and EX-L trims with 19-inch wheels extended the range to 452 kilometres. Honda focused on maintaining familiar driving dynamics, with regenerative braking settings that allowed for coasting or a one-pedal drive experience. The Prologue's long wheelbase contributed to a comfortable ride, although road and wind noise were noticeable at highway speeds. Sport mode enhanced throttle, brake, and steering response, making the Prologue surprisingly fun to drive on winding roads.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a hybrid powertrain with a total system output of 194 horsepower, making it the fastest Crosstrek to date. The hybrid system combined a 2.5-litre engine with an 118 hp traction motor, providing smooth acceleration. The Crosstrek Hybrid's powertrain included two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other for 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 steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack.

The 2024 Honda Prologue featured traditional door handles, simplifying the transition to an EV. Inside, it offered up to 3,163 litres of passenger volume, with impressive legroom in both rows. Headroom was adequate, and the panoramic moonroof added brightness. Standard features included heated front seats and dual-zone climate control, with additional amenities like a heated steering wheel and front seat ventilation in higher trims. The cargo area provided between 671 and 714 litres of space, with a flat load floor for easy loading. While the Prologue lacked a front trunk, it had a deep compartment beneath the load floor for additional storage.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved on its predecessors by offering more cargo space and maintaining a large fuel tank. With 527 litres of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with the rear row folded, it provided ample storage. The Crosstrek Hybrid's 63-litre tank allowed for long-distance travel, covering up to 829 kilometres between fill-ups. 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 2024 Honda Prologue came with keyless access, remote start, and a wireless charger. Its infotainment system featured an 11.3-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a separate 11-inch screen displayed driver information. Google Built-In provided native navigation and route planning. Higher trims included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Active Sound Control, enhancing the driving experience with artificial sounds.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid offered an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its software was slow and prone to fingerprints. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the infotainment system lagged behind competitors. Physical buttons for essential controls were limited. The Crosstrek Hybrid featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a configurable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, although it couldn't display Google Maps from phone projections.

The 2024 Honda Prologue included the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance technologies, with new features like rear cross-traffic braking and blind-zone steering assist. Higher trims offered front-park assist, a surround-vision system, and rear pedestrian alert. While not yet rated by safety organizations, Honda aimed for top safety ratings.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid received mixed safety ratings, with the IIHS noting areas for improvement. However, the NHTSA awarded it five stars overall. Subaru's EyeSight ADAS suite was comprehensive, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Crosstrek Hybrid lacked a semi-autonomous driving system but offered robust safety features.