Toyota Sequoia vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia, particularly in the 1794 Edition trim, was a striking presence on the road, especially with its Lunar Rock paint. Despite being a few years into its current generation, the Sequoia managed to turn heads, perhaps due to its rarity. The U.S.-only trim featured dark grey 20-inch wheels and less chrome than its Canadian counterpart, the Platinum trim. Inside, the cabin was a mix of Saddle Tan leather upholstery and open-pore walnut wood trim, although the latter was not available in the U.S. market. The interior was predominantly covered in Toyota-grade plastic, which detracted from the overall luxury feel. In Canada, the Sequoia lineup offered a range of trims, from the base SR5 TRD Off-road to the high-end Capstone, with prices ranging from $87,174 to $106,175, excluding the federal luxury tax on the highest trims.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, part of the third generation of Crosstreks, continued to build on its evolutionary improvements. The exterior changes introduced in 2024 were subtle, with the most noticeable update being the frameless grille and its clever visual connection to the headlights. The aerodynamic design, including black-plastic cladding 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 soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The Canadian model featured black leather upholstery, contrasting with the grey StarTex artificial leather in the U.S. version. The cabin was equipped with chrome-trimmed power window switches and "Hybrid"-stitched floor mats, adding a touch of sophistication. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia was powered by an i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine, an electric motor, and a 1.87-kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride battery pack, delivering 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, it came with a part-time four-wheel-drive system and multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Tow/Haul. Despite its muscular performance, the Sequoia's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 14.5 L/100 km in real-world testing, compared to the expected 11.7 L/100 km. The SUV's towing capacity was impressive, with a maximum of 4,137 kilograms, but its driving dynamics were compromised by the rear-mounted battery pack and solid rear axle, leading to a jittery ride and limited rear-seat room.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine paired with an 118 hp traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 hp. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with smoother acceleration than its gas-only counterpart. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other for driving the wheels and regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 7.6 L/100 km, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. Subaru's AWD system, combined with X-Mode traction management, provided superior off-road capability compared to competitors like the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. The Crosstrek's steering was light yet precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and body lean was reduced compared to previous models.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia accommodated up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for shorter individuals due to limited headroom. The Platinum and Capstone trims offered luxurious features like 10-way power-adjustable seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Accessing the third row was challenging due to the high floor and low roof, and cargo space was limited, with only 325 litres available with all seats in use. Folding the third row increased cargo capacity to 1,387 litres, and with both rear rows folded, it reached 2,460 litres, still less than rival full-size SUVs.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved on its predecessors by offering more cargo space, with 527 litres behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with the rear row folded. The hybrid's fuel tank remained a generous 63 litres, allowing for long-distance travel without frequent refuelling. Rear-seat space was ample, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, but the cabin featured practical elements like a wireless charging pad and deep door pockets.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system, starting from the Limited trim. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system offered various connected services, including cloud-based navigation and remote engine starting, though many features required active subscriptions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system was available on higher trims. The system's lack of a tuning knob was a notable drawback, and the voice recognition system had limitations in executing certain commands.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its software was slow and prone to fingerprints. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the reliance on touchscreen controls for essential functions was frustrating. The Crosstrek Hybrid boasted a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, which could display navigation maps, though not from phone projections. Despite its shortcomings, the Crosstrek's tech package was functional, if not cutting-edge.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. However, the lane assist features were often intrusive, leading to false warnings and a less satisfying driving experience. At the time of publication, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid's safety performance was mixed, with the IIHS rating the 2025 model as "Marginal" in some tests, prompting Subaru to add rear side-curtain airbags. The NHTSA awarded the 2025 Crosstrek five stars overall. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more, though it lacked a semi-autonomous driving system.