Subaru Forester vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2026 Subaru Forester, redesigned in 2025, continued to emphasize utility and safety with the introduction of the Wilderness model. This version was easily recognizable with its lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, exclusive wheel designs, and distinctive anodized copper accents. The Wilderness badges added to its rugged appeal, though the look was divisive among enthusiasts. Inside, the Forester Wilderness was designed for adventure, featuring water-resistant artificial leather and all-weather floor mats, ensuring easy cleanup after off-road escapades. The interior also boasted copper accents and Wilderness emblems, reinforcing its adventurous spirit. While the Forester Hybrid details were not yet announced, the gas-only lineup in Canada included several trims, with prices ranging from $36,884 to $48,384. Subaru offered a variety of accessory upgrades, enhancing the Forester's utility, including a rooftop tent option thanks to its robust roof rack.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, part of the third generation, carried forward the evolutionary improvements introduced in 2024. The most noticeable change was the front fascia, featuring a frameless grille with a curved wing bar connecting to the headlights, giving it a unique smile-like appearance. The aerodynamic air inlets and outlets 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 consistent material quality and thoughtful design. The Canadian model featured black leather upholstery, while the U.S. version had grey StarTex artificial leather. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof, enhancing the cabin's comfort and atmosphere.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness was equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. While it lacked the turbocharged option available in the Outback Wilderness, the Forester's lighter weight and shorter final-drive ratio improved low-speed responsiveness, especially off-road. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) featured eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters, though most drivers likely wouldn't use them. The Forester Wilderness boasted a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms, thanks to improved transmission cooling. Its Active Torque Split AWD system, with X-Mode Dual Mode traction settings, enhanced its off-road capabilities. The SUV's ground clearance increased to 23.6 centimetres, and it featured underbody protection and a full-size spare tire. Despite its off-road prowess, the Forester Wilderness delivered a comfortable and quiet ride on pavement, though its fuel efficiency was modest, averaging 10.4 L/100 km during testing.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, with its hybrid powertrain, emerged as the fastest Crosstrek model. It combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine with an 118 hp traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 hp. The hybrid's acceleration was smoother and quicker than the gas-only version, though it didn't feel significantly faster on the highway. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other as a drive motor and for regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid recorded 7.6 L/100 km, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. While the hybrid offered improved efficiency, it wasn't a dramatic leap. The Crosstrek's AWD system, with X-Mode traction management, provided better capability on variable terrain compared to competitors. The steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and the hybrid exhibited less body lean than older models.

The 2026 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, with its classic two-box design maximizing passenger and cargo space. The tall windows ensured excellent visibility, making driving and manoeuvring easier. The Forester Wilderness featured comfortable heated front seats, with the driver's seat offering 10-way power adjustment. Rear seat comfort was also commendable, with ample legroom and foot space. The 2026 model introduced a new centre console design, improving storage options. The Forester Wilderness provided 779 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,957 litres with the rear seats folded. Despite not being class-leading, the cargo capacity was generous for a compact SUV.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. The hybrid's cargo volume measured 527 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,433 litres with the rear row folded. The Crosstrek Hybrid retained a large 63-litre fuel tank, allowing for extended driving range. 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 housing a wireless charging pad and two cupholders. Despite these limitations, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a practical and spacious interior.

The 2026 Subaru Forester featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Subaru Multimedia Plus software. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a three-year subscription to MySubaru connected services. While the system offered voice recognition for basic commands, it could be frustrating for complex queries. The infotainment screen was busy and cluttered, but smartphone integration provided a workaround. The Forester Wilderness also had a 180-degree forward view camera system, though the camera's distorted view made it less reliable for off-roading.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the infotainment system lagged behind competitors. The software was slow, and the screen was prone to fingerprints. Many controls were managed via touchscreen buttons, which could be inconvenient. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, offering an alternative to the Starlink software. The Crosstrek Hybrid featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though the navigation map couldn't display Google Maps when using phone projection.

The 2026 Subaru Forester was equipped with EyeSight, Subaru's package of advanced driving assistance systems. It included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. Additional features included active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering. The Forester's Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection could detect an unresponsive driver and bring the SUV to a halt. The 2025 Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, and the 2026 model aimed to improve rear passenger safety. The NHTSA awarded the 2025 Forester five-star ratings in individual assessments.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, as the top model in the range, included the full suite of EyeSight advanced driver assistance systems. It featured adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and automatic emergency braking. The Crosstrek Hybrid also had a surround-view camera, DriverFocus driver distraction mitigation system, lane centring assist, and reverse automatic braking. While the 2025 Crosstrek didn't receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, the NHTSA awarded it five stars in overall safety. The 2026 model aimed to address previous safety concerns with added side-curtain airbags.