Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Kia Carnival Hybrid

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid underwent a significant design overhaul, adopting a more rugged appearance reminiscent of the 2025 Kia Sorento. The front fascia featured a larger grille, giving it an SUV-like presence, while the headlights were repositioned to accommodate this change. Daytime running lights extended from the corners of the front end onto the hood, adding a unique touch. Despite these updates, the Carnival Hybrid retained its van-like appearance, which some found less appealing than its predecessor. The rear end was tidied up by relocating the license plate housing, and LED taillights became standard on higher trims. In Canada, the Carnival Hybrid offered three trims: LX+, EX, and SX+, with the LX+ featuring 17-inch wheels and higher trims offering 19-inch options.

Inside, the Carnival Hybrid's interior largely carried over from the 2024 model, maintaining a premium feel with high-quality materials and thoughtful design. The SX+ hybrid's navy and grey interior exuded a sense of luxury, with details like a cross-hatch pattern on the Bose audio system's speaker grilles. The cabin was mostly free of shiny plastic trim, reducing glare and fingerprints. The Carnival Hybrid's interior was designed for comfort and functionality, with a rotary shifter replacing the gear lever and a well-organized centre console and dashboard layout.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary improvements seen in previous generations. The third-generation Crosstrek retained its attractive design, with subtle updates introduced in 2024. The most noticeable change was the frameless grille with a curved wing bar, creating a visual connection with the headlights. Black-plastic cladding around the wheel arches improved aerodynamics and reduced road noise. In Canada, the Crosstrek Hybrid was offered in a single trim at the top of the lineup.

Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid balanced rugged utility with refined comfort. The cabin adhered to Subaru's straightforward design philosophy, prioritizing function over flash. Material quality was consistent, with soft-touch surfaces in key areas and durable plastics where needed. Canadian models featured black leather upholstery, while U.S. models had grey StarTex artificial leather. The Crosstrek Hybrid included features like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof, creating an airy atmosphere. The steering remained light and precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and the vehicle exhibited less body lean than previous models.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid shared its powertrain with the Kia Sorento Hybrid, featuring a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a single electric motor. This setup delivered a total system output of 242 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the non-hybrid Carnival's V6 engine produced 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both hybrid and non-hybrid models were front-wheel drive, with the hybrid offering a similar driving experience to the V6 model. The electric motor provided strong initial torque, but acceleration dipped before the turbocharger boost kicked in. The Carnival Hybrid's regenerative braking system offered three levels of regeneration, allowing for efficient energy recovery on long downhills.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid 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 the gas-only version. The hybrid powertrain utilized two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other for driving the wheels 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, provided excellent off-road capability, although it sacrificed some fuel efficiency.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid offered eight-passenger seating with sliding and removable second-row seats. Fold-flat third-row seats were standard, and VIP Lounge Seats were available, providing reclining captain's chairs with leg rests. However, these seats were not removable, making access to the third row challenging. The Carnival Hybrid's interior dimensions remained consistent with the non-hybrid model, offering ample headroom and legroom across all three rows. Cargo space was generous, with 1,138 litres behind the third row and 4,108 litres with both the second and third rows folded. The interior featured a rotary shifter and a functional centre console layout.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon previous iterations by offering more horsepower and cargo space. The hybrid's trunk floor was lower, providing 527 litres of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with the rear row folded. The 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 competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage options were limited, with a small tray for a wireless charging pad and two cupholders.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system was easy to navigate, but the switchgear's changing functions could be confusing. SX+ models included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth connectivity, and over-the-air updates. USB ports were available in all three rows, and tech options included an 11-inch head-up display, digital key functionality, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the software was slow and prone to lag. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the touchscreen's reliance on digital controls for essential functions was frustrating. The Crosstrek Hybrid featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, but the navigation map couldn't display Google Maps when using phone projection.

The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid's safety ratings were not updated at the time of publication, but the 2024 model received mixed ratings from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The SX+ trim added a 360-degree camera system and blind-spot camera system.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid received a "Marginal" rating in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and an "Acceptable" rating in the side-impact test. The NHTSA awarded the 2025 Crosstrek five stars in its overall safety rating. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight advanced driver assistance systems, with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and a surround-view camera.