Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, offering a range of options from all-gas to hybrid-powered models. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. With a length of 5,115 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, it was larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride, providing a spacious interior. Its ground clearance of 20.3 centimetres made it suitable for dirt roads, though it wasn't designed for off-road adventures. The Grand Highlander's styling was inspired by rugged vehicles, featuring a conservative yet blocky design reminiscent of the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. Inside, it offered three trims—XLE, Limited, and Platinum—with varying upholstery options, and a range of comfort features like heated seats and a large centre console.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary improvements seen in previous generations. It retained the changes introduced in 2024, including new sheet metal and chassis construction. The most noticeable update was the frameless grille with a curved wing bar, creating a visual connection with the headlights. The black-plastic cladding around the wheel arches improved aerodynamics and reduced road noise. Sold in a single trim in Canada, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort. The cabin featured soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics, with black leather upholstery in Canadian models. Chrome-trimmed power window switches added an upscale touch, while heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof were standard. The Crosstrek Hybrid's interior was designed for practicality, with thoughtful storage solutions and a focus on functionality.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain combined a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, generating 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. All powertrains came with all-wheel drive in Canada. While not a sports car, the Hybrid Max provided impressive acceleration, with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was known for its size, which made it less maneuverable than the smaller Highlander. It exhibited some body roll and had a numb steering feel, but its brakes were solid, and acceleration was adequate. Three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—were available, with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came standard with all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission. It featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder gas engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid powertrain, however, was the fastest Crosstrek, with a total system output of 194 horsepower. It used two motor-generators alongside the 2.5-litre Boxer H4 engine, providing improved efficiency and smoother acceleration. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid recorded 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. The hybrid's AWD system, combined with Subaru's X-Mode traction management, offered better capability on variable terrain compared to competitors. The Crosstrek's steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack. The off-road-oriented Wilderness trim introduced additional body roll, but the Crosstrek Hybrid maintained a balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its primary rivals, with a length of over 5 metres and a 2,950 mm wheelbase. This translated to extra storage space, with a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres, surpassing the Kia Telluride by over 300 litres. With seats in position, it offered 1,640 litres behind the second row and 583 litres with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander provided ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row, making it comfortable for passengers, even in the third row.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid marked Subaru's third attempt at a hybrid Crosstrek, addressing previous compromises. It offered more horsepower and cargo space than earlier versions, with a cargo volume of 527 litres behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with the rear row folded. The Crosstrek Hybrid retained a 63-litre fuel tank, allowing for a range of 829 kilometres between fill-ups. Rear-seat space was generous, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, but the Crosstrek Hybrid featured practical storage solutions, including a wireless charging pad and cupholders.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. An intelligent assistant, activated by saying "Hey Toyota," was available through a connected-services subscription, along with cloud-based navigation and live agent assistance. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing a balanced audio experience. While Toyota's tech had improved, careful consideration of subscription options was recommended.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its software was less competitive compared to rivals. The system was slow, with visible lag and a tendency to attract fingerprints. Many controls were managed via touchscreen buttons, which could be frustrating. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing drivers to rely on their preferred navigation apps. The Crosstrek Hybrid included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, offering configurable displays. Despite these features, the infotainment system fell short of expectations.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it came with an impressive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Platinum grade offered additional features like traffic jam assist and a head-up display. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was also standard.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid had not received a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, scoring "Marginal" in the moderate overlap front crash test and "Acceptable" in the side-impact test. However, the NHTSA awarded it five stars in its overall safety rating. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and more. While Subaru's system was comprehensive, it lacked a semi-autonomous driving system comparable to competitors.