Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Volkswagen Taos

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was a compact SUV designed to appeal to North American consumers, offering a blend of style, comfort, and practicality. It was engineered to be affordable while maximizing passenger comfort and utility, making it a popular choice in Canada, especially after the discontinuation of the Volkswagen Golf. The Taos was available in Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims, with prices ranging from $26,995 to $37,695, excluding a $2,050 destination charge. The Highline trim, which we tested, featured 4Motion all-wheel drive, bold 19-inch alloy wheels, and a premium interior that resembled a cut-rate Audi, offering a spacious cabin nearly as roomy as the larger Tiguan.

In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid represented the third generation of the Crosstrek, building on evolutionary improvements with each redesign. The 2026 model retained changes from 2024, including new sheet metal and chassis construction, with a distinctive front fascia featuring a frameless grille and aerodynamic enhancements. Sold in a single trim at the top of the Crosstrek lineup, the Hybrid offered a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort, with black leather upholstery and thoughtful interior design. The Crosstrek Hybrid's cabin was straightforward, prioritizing function over flash, and included features like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel drive versions, like the Highline, featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Taos offered up to five driving modes and additional settings for the 4Motion AWD system. However, the powertrain response was unpredictable, with occasional surges of torque and delays in response. Despite its sporty appearance, the Taos lacked power compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona N. The Taos Highline averaged 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, slightly above the official rating of 8.5 L/100 km for AWD models.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, on the other hand, combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine 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 utilized two motor-generators for engine start/stop functions, battery charging, and driving assistance. 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, combined with X-Mode traction management, provided better off-road capability compared to competitors like the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

Inside the 2023 Volkswagen Taos, the Trendline trim featured cloth seats, Comfortline had CloudTex artificial leatherette, and Highline offered real leather. Canadian models came with standard cold-weather equipment, including heated side mirrors, heated washer nozzles, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Highline trim added rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, and ventilated front seats. The Taos offered impressive interior space, with a comfortable eight-way power driver's seat and ample rear-seat room. Cargo space was generous, with 790 litres behind the back seat and 1,866 litres with the rear seat folded down, slightly reduced in 4Motion models.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved on previous iterations by offering more horsepower and cargo space. With a 63-litre fuel tank, the hybrid could cover 829 kilometres between fill-ups. The Crosstrek Hybrid provided 527 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with the rear row folded. Rear-seat space was generous, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging and deep door pockets.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos featured standard digital instrumentation, with an eight-inch screen for Trendline and Comfortline trims and a 10.25-inch display for the Highline. Infotainment systems ranged from basic to fully featured, with the Highline offering an eight-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and an eight-speaker Beats Audio system. However, the user experience was marred by hidden virtual controls, a cumbersome radio tuning process, and ineffective voice-recognition technology. Pairing a smartphone and using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was recommended.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the software was slow and laggy compared to competitors like the Kia Niro Hybrid and Hyundai Kona. The display was a fingerprint magnet, and many controls were managed via touchscreen buttons. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along 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, but the navigation map wouldn't display Google Maps when using phone projection.

The 2023 Volkswagen Taos improved its standard safety features, with Front Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert on the Trendline. The Comfortline added Lane Assist, Travel Assist, Emergency Assist, and active blind-spot monitoring. The Highline included parking sensors with automatic braking and a road-sign recognition system. Travel Assist performed well, navigating curves and maintaining distance on highways. However, crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were decent but not perfect.

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