Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Lincoln Nautilus

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary design improvements seen in its predecessors, 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 enhancements, such as the black-plastic cladding around the wheel arches, contributed to improved fuel efficiency and reduced road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a blend of rugged utility and refined comfort, with a straightforward design that emphasized functionality. The cabin featured soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics, with Canadian models boasting black leather upholstery. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus exuded a stately presence with its distinctive grille, flanked by eye-slit headlights and winged LED light signatures. The body showcased a wide stance with a contrasting black roof and pillars, while the integrated door handles and spear-shaped design elements added a touch of elegance. The rear featured a spoiler and full-width taillight, complemented by standard 19-inch alloy wheels, with larger options available. Inside, the Nautilus offered a high-end look with a unique interior layout, highlighted by a 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield. The cockpit's stepped design provided a functional yet unconventional approach, with the base Premiere trim offering synthetic leather upholstery and the Reserve trim upgrading to leather with additional colour options.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came equipped with a 2.5-litre Boxer H4 engine paired with two motor-generators, delivering a total system output of 194 horsepower. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with acceleration that was both quicker and smoother than its gas-only counterpart. The hybrid system utilized an Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine for improved efficiency, with one motor-generator handling engine start/stop functions and battery charging, while the other assisted with driving and regenerative braking. Despite its performance, the Crosstrek Hybrid recorded a fuel consumption of 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. The Crosstrek's AWD system, combined with Subaru's X-Mode traction management, provided superior capability on variable terrain compared to competitors like the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus offered a standard turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The hybrid variant, which was tested, featured a larger turbo and an electric motor, boosting output to 310 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. This setup, combined with a CVT, provided a 0-96 km/h time of about 7 seconds. The Nautilus prioritized quiet, serene comfort over sportiness, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. The Reserve trim added adaptive dampers for a softer ride, while various drive modes catered to different driving conditions. Despite its size, the Nautilus delivered a smooth ride, even with larger wheels, though it exhibited some secondary motion on rippled surfaces.

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 1,433 litres with the rear row folded, it provided ample storage without the compromises of previous models. The fuel tank remained a generous 63 litres, allowing for extended driving ranges. Rear-seat space was also commendable, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. However, front storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging and minimal cupholders and door pockets.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus emphasized comfort for both front and rear passengers, with power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel as standard. Optional features included ventilated front seats, 24-way power seats with massage functions, and heated rear seats. The second row offered 1,095 millimetres of legroom, providing ample space for passengers. Cargo capacity was generous, with 1,030 litres available with the rear seats upright and 2,020 litres when folded flat. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option for added convenience.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, though its infotainment system lagged behind competitors like the Kia Niro Hybrid and Hyundai Kona. 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, offering an alternative to the Starlink software. The Crosstrek Hybrid also included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though the navigation map was limited to the touchscreen display.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus showcased a 48-inch screen at the base of the windshield, displaying essential information such as maps, weather, and media. An 11.1-inch lower touchscreen handled typical infotainment controls, with standard features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot. Lincoln offered a 14-speaker Revel system and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D unit for enhanced audio experiences. Unique features included Digital Scent perfume spritzing and Lincoln Rejuvenate, which combined scent, seating, and visuals for relaxation programs. The steering wheel featured five-way controllers for cruise control and voice commands, with a central volume dial for convenience.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight advanced driver assistance systems, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and more. However, the 2025 model did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, scoring "Marginal" in the moderate overlap front crash test and "Acceptable" in the side-impact test. The NHTSA awarded it five stars in overall safety, but ratings for the 2026 model were not yet available.

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, lane centring steering, and automatic emergency braking. Lincoln BlueCruise, a hands-free driving system, was also standard, offering automatic lane changes and effective performance on mapped highways. The Nautilus earned a perfect five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, missing the Top Safety Pick+ due to pending tests.