Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid emerged as a bold departure from its predecessors, showcasing a striking new design that was both longer and wider. Its sharp, angular lines and dramatic grille, which seamlessly integrated with the LED headlights, gave it a futuristic appearance. Despite its aggressive styling, the Tucson maintained a spacious and airy interior, with features like a hoodless digital driver information display and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of openness. The interior was well-appointed, offering standard heated front seats and a range of tech features across different trims, including a 10.25-inch digital display and wireless device charging.

In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary design improvements seen in previous models. While the changes were subtle, the most noticeable update was the frameless grille with a curved wing bar, giving the front fascia a distinctive look. The Crosstrek Hybrid's interior balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, featuring black leather upholstery and thoughtful design elements like chrome-trimmed power window switches. The cabin was spacious, with ample rear-seat legroom and a power moonroof that contributed to an airy atmosphere. The Crosstrek Hybrid's design emphasized functionality, with durable materials and a straightforward layout.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid impressed with its 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This setup provided a noticeably quicker and more responsive driving experience compared to the gas-powered version. The Tucson Hybrid's six-speed automatic transmission performed admirably, and its suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections while maintaining balance through corners. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with ratings of 6.3 L/100 km in the city, 6.6 on the highway, and 6.4 combined.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine paired with an 118 hp traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 hp. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with smoother acceleration than its gas-only counterpart. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators for improved efficiency and regenerative braking. Despite its performance, the Crosstrek Hybrid's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, recording 7.6 L/100 km during testing, compared to the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. However, its AWD system and X-Mode traction management provided superior capability on varied terrain.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offered impressive cargo space, with 1,097 litres in the trunk and 2,108 litres with the rear seats folded. Its dual-level cargo floor allowed for flexible storage options, and the interior provided ample legroom for both front and rear passengers. The Tucson's design included practical features like angled bottle holders and multiple cupholders, while ambient lighting added a touch of flair to the cabin.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more cargo space, with 527 litres behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with them folded. Unlike previous versions, it did not compromise on trunk space due to battery placement. The Crosstrek Hybrid retained a large 63-litre fuel tank, allowing for extended driving range. Rear-seat legroom was generous at 926 millimetres, and while front storage was limited, it included a wireless charging pad and deep door pockets.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen in higher trims, though it required a wired connection for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The interface relied on touch-capacitive buttons, which could be frustrating to use, but steering-wheel controls offered an alternative. The Tucson provided ample USB ports and a premium Bose audio system in the Ultimate trim.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its software was slow and prone to fingerprints. While it offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, many controls were touchscreen-based, which could be inconvenient. The Crosstrek Hybrid included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though the navigation map was limited to the built-in system.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot collision avoidance. The Ultimate trim added advanced features like a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. The Tucson received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking. Despite not receiving a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, it scored well in NHTSA testing. The Crosstrek Hybrid also offered a surround-view camera and the DriverFocus distraction mitigation system.