Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Hyundai Palisade

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary design improvements seen in previous models, maintaining its attractive appeal. The most noticeable change was the front fascia, featuring a frameless grille with a curved wing bar that seamlessly connected with the headlights, creating a distinctive smile-like appearance. The aerodynamic air inlets and outlets integrated into the black-plastic cladding around the wheel arches enhanced 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. The Canadian model featured black leather upholstery, chrome-trimmed power window switches, and "Hybrid"-stitched floor mats, adding an upscale touch. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof, contributing to a comfortable and airy cabin atmosphere.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade underwent significant changes, presenting a more upright and squared-off profile. Its standout feature was the front lighting, with rectangular slashes flanking the massive grille, giving it a bold and distinctive look. Inside, the Palisade's interior was softened with flowing shapes and simple lines reminiscent of mid-century modern furniture. The oval-shaped theme extended throughout the cabin, creating a refined and relaxing environment. The top-spec Palisade Ultimate Calligraphy model boasted high-quality materials and texture variance, while the off-road-oriented Palisade XRT Pro featured durable materials. The 2026 Palisade was longer and had a stretched wheelbase, offering seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the configuration.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came standard with all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission. It featured a 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine paired with an 118 hp traction motor, delivering a total system output of 194 hp. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with quicker and smoother acceleration than the gas-only version. The hybrid powertrain utilized 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 provided better capability on variable terrain compared to electric AWD systems. The X-Mode traction management system offered specific settings for dirt/snow and deep snow/mud, enhancing off-road performance.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. While not the quickest, the Palisade's engine was refined and well-suited for moving the SUV and its passengers. The suspension provided a comfortable ride, and the brakes were upsized for improved stopping distances. The Palisade's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, supported by a factory-installed tow hitch on select trims. The HTRAC AWD system could divert power to the rear wheels when needed, with various drive and terrain modes available. The Palisade XRT Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capability with features like all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, and an electronic limited-slip rear differential. The new hybrid powertrain option delivered a total system output of 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. With a cargo volume of 527 litres behind the rear seats and a total capacity of 1,433 litres with the rear row folded, it provided ample storage. The fuel tank remained at 63 litres, allowing for a range of 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, with a small tray for a wireless charging pad and two cupholders, complemented by deep door pockets and a standard-size glove compartment.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with captain’s chairs in the middle row and a standard second-row bench seat. While accessing the third row required some manoeuvring, the seats were suitable for occasional adult use. USB-C charging ports, cupholders, and air vents were accessible to all passengers. The Palisade allowed for flexible passenger and cargo space with sliding second- and third-row seats. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated second-row seats were standard, with additional features like ventilated seats and Relaxation Mode available on higher trims. Cargo space was generous, with up to 540 litres available with the third row forward, and a maximum of 2,455 litres behind the front seats.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its infotainment system lagged behind competitors. The software was slow, and many controls were managed via touchscreen buttons, which could be frustrating. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with physical buttons for volume, tuning, and HVAC controls. The Crosstrek Limited Hybrid included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, although the navigation map couldn't display Google Maps when using phone projection.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a second 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Standard features included onboard navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim offered a 12-inch head-up display and a surround view monitor camera system. Integrated front and rear dashcams were new for 2026, storing video feeds internally. An in-car intercom and Rear Seat Quiet Mode were standard, along with a UV-light cleaning system. The Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality, standard on higher trims.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid had not yet been rated by safety organizations, but the 2025 model received mixed results. Subaru addressed safety concerns by adding side-curtain airbags to the rear seats. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight advanced driver assistance systems, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and more. However, it lacked a semi-autonomous driving system comparable to competitors.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade had not received safety ratings at the time of writing, but the previous model performed well. It offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, with many standard and additional packages available. Standard features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and more. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added evasive steering assist and an upgraded Highway Driving Assist II system.