Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Toyota Corolla Cross

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross presented a conservative design, pulling back from Toyota's recent daring styles. Its snub nose was reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra, and it featured the obligatory tall ride height and plastic fender flares typical of SUVs. However, the overall look was understated, seemingly to avoid overshadowing its larger sibling, the RAV4. The Corolla Cross was compact, being 13.5 centimetres shorter than the RAV4, yet larger than the Toyota C-HR, offering more interior space due to its conventional shape. Subtle styling details included scalloping around the rear door handles and mirrors, and hidden Corolla Cross logos throughout the vehicle. The interior mirrored the Corolla sedan and hatchback, with oversized door handles akin to the RAV4. Material quality was perceived as below that of the Corolla sedan and hatch, with the base L model feeling basic, akin to a taxi. The XLE trim offered SofTex leatherette upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, with a power moonroof standard on the XLE and available in the LE Premium AWD package.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary improvements seen in its third generation. It carried forward changes from 2024, including new sheet metal and chassis construction, with the most noticeable update being the frameless grille with a curved wing bar connecting the headlights. The aerodynamic air inlets and outlets in the black-plastic cladding around the wheel arches improved fuel efficiency and reduced road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, maintaining Subaru's straightforward design philosophy. Material quality was consistent, with soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. Canadian models featured black leather upholstery, and the chrome-trimmed power window switches added an upscale touch. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof, contributing to an airy atmosphere.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT featured an actual first gear for responsive acceleration, though it transitioned abruptly to normal CVT operation. At higher speeds, the powertrain exhibited typical CVT issues like engine droning and rubber-banding. The Corolla Cross felt solid on highways but required effort to maintain pace. The optional AWD system, similar to that in the Toyota Camry, could send 10% to 50% of torque to the rear wheels, engaging without wheel slip and during hard cornering. However, noticeable body roll was present, and the vehicle wasn't designed for off-roading, with a 680-kilogram towing capacity.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre 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 smoother acceleration than the gas-only version. The hybrid powertrain used two motor-generators alongside the 2.5-litre Boxer H4 engine, with one motor-generator handling engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other assisting with wheel movement and regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid recorded 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. Subaru's AWD system, with a mechanical connection, offered better capability on variable terrain compared to Toyota's electric AWD system. The X-Mode traction management system provided specific settings for different terrains, enhancing off-road performance. The steering was light but precise, with less body lean than older models, although the Wilderness trim introduced additional roll due to its off-road suspension setup.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross offered more passenger and cargo space than the Corolla hatchback, with an extra 5 centimetres of rear legroom and 3.5 centimetres of rear headroom. It featured standard rear climate-control vents and dual-zone automatic climate control on XLE models. Cargo space was 750 litres with the rear seats up and 1,890 litres with them folded. Despite being spacious for its segment, the interior was not particularly comfortable, with hard and unsupportive seats and a tall, upright driving position. Storage spaces were minimal.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved on previous iterations by offering more horsepower and cargo space. It featured a 527-litre cargo volume behind the rear seats and a total capacity of 1,433 litres with the rear row folded. The fuel tank remained a large 63 litres, allowing for extended driving range. The Crosstrek Hybrid provided ample rear-seat space with 926 millimetres of legroom, significantly more than the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray housing a wireless charging pad and two cupholders, complemented by deep door pockets and a standard-size glove compartment.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen on base models, with an 8-inch touchscreen on LE and XLE models. The XLE also included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility were standard, along with Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked sophistication, with plain graphics and slow boot-up times. Two front USB-A ports were standard, with additional ports for rear passengers on the LE trim. Wireless charging was available on higher trims, though the pad's size was limited.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, though the software was slow and prone to fingerprints. Many controls were managed via touchscreen buttons, which could be frustrating. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with physical buttons for volume, tuning, and HVAC controls. The Crosstrek Hybrid featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, configurable with various displays. However, the navigation map couldn't display Google Maps when using phone projection.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. It included standard driver-assist features under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and Lane Tracing Assist. The LE trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the XLE included front and rear park assist with automatic braking.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS for 2026, but the 2025 model received mixed results. Subaru added side-curtain airbags to address safety concerns. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, automatic emergency braking, a surround-view camera, DriverFocus distraction mitigation, lane centring assist, and reverse automatic braking.