Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary design improvements seen in its predecessors. It retained the changes from the 2024 model, featuring new sheet metal and chassis construction. The most noticeable update was the front fascia, where a frameless grille with a curved wing bar created a visual connection with the headlights, giving it a distinctive smile. The aerodynamic air inlets and outlets integrated into the black-plastic cladding around the wheel arches improved 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. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof, although the latter was smaller than the one in the Forester.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid debuted a new look for its sixth generation, with a more cohesive design that sacrificed some distinctiveness for a conventional appearance. Its blockier shape and rugged black plastic elements hinted at off-road potential. The Forester Hybrid shared its design with the non-hybrid version, with subtle badges distinguishing it. Inside, the Forester retained some of its previous flavour with a beveled dashboard centre section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin featured a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the rear seating area prioritizing durability. The front seats provided ample cushioning and support, with ventilation enhancing comfort. Heated outboard rear seats were also included. While some argued the Forester lost personality, it gained mass appeal.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came standard with all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission. It featured a 2.5-litre 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 quicker and smoother acceleration than the gas-only version. The hybrid powertrain used two motor-generators and a 2.5-litre Boxer H4 engine, with one motor-generator handling engine start/stop and battery charging, while the other assisted with driving and regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid recorded 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. The Crosstrek'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 mud, enhancing off-road performance. The steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre boxer engine and a parallel hybrid system with two motor/generators, producing 194 hp. The hybrid system used a driveshaft for AWD, offering better traction and consistent reactions off-road. Acceleration was adequate, with the electric motor providing immediate response, but the hybrid transmission made it feel slower. The hybrid system functioned smoothly, with consistent braking and predictable handling. The ride quality was firm, with larger wheels contributing to some passenger jostling. Off-road, the Forester Hybrid excelled with its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, offering a balance between off-road capability and on-road comfort.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved on its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. It featured a 527-litre cargo volume behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,433 litres with the rear row folded. The fuel tank remained a generous 63 litres, allowing for long-distance travel. Rear-seat space was ample, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging, cupholders, and door pockets.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid provided an unimpeded forward view from the driver's seat, thanks to thin roof pillars. The front seats offered ample space and an open feel, while the rear seats provided generous legroom and headroom. A panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of openness. Storage included a wireless charging pad, cupholders, and door pockets. The Forester Hybrid offered 779 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for easy loading.

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. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with physical buttons for volume and temperature 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.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink system received praise for its large buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. Physical buttons allowed for no-look temperature adjustments, while the X-Mode off-road menu was accessible via the touchscreen. External camera views aided off-roading, and the Forester Hybrid included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid had mixed safety ratings, with the IIHS not awarding it a Top Safety Pick designation. It scored "Marginal" in the moderate overlap front crash test and "Acceptable" in the side-impact test. The NHTSA gave it five stars overall. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for rollover protection, which received four stars. The IIHS awarded the non-hybrid Forester a Top Safety Pick, with "Good" ratings in most categories. The Forester Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight suite, with features like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Additional features included blind spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor.