Subaru Crosstrek vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek retained much of its predecessor's appearance, yet it introduced new sheet metal, a fresh chassis, and additional colour options like Sun Blaze, Offshore Blue, and Sapphire Blue. While its wheelbase and overall length remained nearly unchanged, the Crosstrek boasted a steeper departure angle, though cargo space was slightly reduced. The base trim featured 17-inch alloy wheels and 22 centimetres of ground clearance, making it suitable for off-road adventures. In Canada, roof rails were standard, enhancing its outdoorsy appeal. The Crosstrek's front fascia sported a clever visual trick with LED headlights and a wing bar, giving it a Cheshire cat-like smile. Black plastic cladding protected the wheel arches, and aerodynamic design elements improved fuel efficiency and reduced road noise. The split taillight design from the second generation carried over, allowing for wider trunk access. The Wilderness trim added unique design elements, increased ground clearance, and a ladder-style roof rack, while the interior featured StarTex synthetic leather and copper accents.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, pursued a conservative and familiar design path, drawing inspiration from the previous-generation RAV4. This approach resulted in a vehicle that resembled a larger RAV4 with seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior emphasized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. Glossy hard plastic and unlined storage surfaces explained the base model's value, while controls were logically laid out with matte black surfaces and white iconography. The climate system was simple, featuring large temperature adjustment knobs, but the infotainment interface had a tiny volume knob and lacked a tuning knob. Overall, the Grand Highlander Hybrid offered a practical and spacious interior, though it fell short of a perfect rating due to unlined storage locations and limited underfloor storage space.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a smaller 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The latter was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, despite its poky behaviour, delivered a pleasant driving experience. The CVT featured simulated shift points, reducing droning and rubber banding. The Crosstrek Wilderness trim had different gearing for tackling aggressive terrain and a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms. The updated 2.0-litre powertrain generated less vibration, and the dual-pinion steering rack improved steering feel. Subaru's X-Mode traction management system was standard, with different versions for various trims. Fuel economy was decent for a subcompact crossover with AWD, with estimates of 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.1 on the highway for the 2.0-litre engine.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max emphasized performance with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 net horsepower. It featured a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, avoiding the droning common in CVTs. While the Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration, it came with a fuel economy trade-off, rated at 8.8 L/100 km combined. It could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, making it a versatile choice. During testing, it averaged 9.1 L/100 km on a balanced city and highway route. The Hybrid Max's acceleration was smooth, thanks to electric motors that eliminated turbo lag. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though undulations in the road could cause vertical bounding and lateral rocking. Handling was secure, but the tires scrubbed and squealed early when pushed. Outward visibility was excellent, aided by available cameras, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, built on the Subaru Impreza platform, offered competitive cargo space and utility for a subcompact SUV. Rear-seat legroom and headroom were good, though taller passengers might prefer the front seat. The trunk provided 564 litres of space, falling short of some competitors, but folding the second-row seats expanded it to 1,549 litres. The interior featured low-rent but robust materials, with a protective cargo tray standard on higher trims. A heated steering wheel was standard on most trims, and cupholders were abundant. The centre console bin was designed to fit two 32-ounce Nalgene water bottles, catering to outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating in all three rows, with more than 2,700 litres of maximum cargo space. However, unlined storage locations contributed to noise, vibration, and harshness levels. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, providing a smart and upscale look. The front and second-row seats had heating, ventilation, and supportive cushions. The rear doors were long, making child seat installation challenging, and the mid-height corners could cause dents in neighbouring vehicles. Second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console allowed for easy access to the third row. The rearmost seats were reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens, with ample crush space for safety. Behind the third-row seat, the Grand Highlander offered 586 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,761 litres with the second row folded.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek featured an 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, previously found on larger Subaru models. The display was crisp and bright, with physical controls for essential functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on most trims, and a wireless charger was included on higher trims. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Subaru Starlink technology was impressive but had some drawbacks, such as glare in bright sunlight and complex menu navigation.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services plans provided features like automatic collision notification and a digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, and the JBL premium audio system delivered excellent sound quality. The Platinum trim included a colour head-up display, a digital rear-view mirror, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek had a strong safety record, with a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS since 2013. While the 2024 model had not yet been reviewed, it was expected to maintain its high safety standards. The NHTSA awarded the 2023 model five stars overall, and similar results were anticipated for the 2024 version. Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology was standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The system employed a wider-angle lens for improved road visibility and included automatic emergency steering on models with blind-spot monitoring.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver assistance technologies. While it provided a high level of automation, it lacked hands-free operation like Ford's BlueCruise and GM's Super Cruise. Proactive Driving Assist was standard but could be irritating in certain situations. The safety tech operated accurately, though the lane keep assist system occasionally strayed too close to lane markers. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.