Toyota Sienna vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2025 Toyota Sienna attempted to break away from the traditional minivan aesthetic with its trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines, yet it still retained the quintessential minivan look. Despite Toyota's efforts to add style with features like hidden sliding door tracks and narrow taillights reminiscent of the Camry sedan, the Sienna's design remained largely utilitarian. The new flower-petal wheel designs in the Platinum package added a touch of flair, but the overall impression was still that of a practical, boxy vehicle designed to maximize passenger and cargo space. The Magnetic Grey paint colour of the Limited trim with the Platinum package added a sophisticated touch, but the interior updates, including a new woodgrain finish, received mixed reviews, particularly from younger passengers.

In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid maintained its reputation for being an attractive vehicle, with evolutionary improvements in its third generation. The 2026 model carried forward the changes from 2024, featuring a frameless grille with a curved wing bar that connected visually with the headlights, giving it a distinctive front fascia. The aerodynamic air inlets and outlets around the wheel arches not only enhanced its appearance but also 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, and the chrome-trimmed power window switches added an upscale touch. Standard features like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power moonroof contributed to a comfortable and airy cabin environment.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna was powered by a hybrid system combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), delivering a net horsepower of 245. While this might seem modest for a vehicle seating up to eight and towing up to 1,587 kilograms, the electric motor's torque provided immediate power, preventing the Sienna from feeling sluggish. The hybrid powertrain aimed to maximize fuel economy, with an official rating of 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving for the FWD model. However, during testing, the Sienna averaged 8.9 L/100 km. The handling was predictable and secure, though not particularly engaging, with a smooth ride and excellent impact isolation. The CVT, however, could become noisy under hard acceleration.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a more advanced powertrain with a 2.5-litre Boxer H4 engine paired with two motor-generators, producing a total system output of 194 hp. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with quicker and smoother acceleration than its gas-only counterpart. The hybrid system utilized regenerative braking and offered improved efficiency, though the test drive recorded 7.6 L/100 km, slightly above the estimated 6.5 L/100 km. The Crosstrek Hybrid's AWD system, combined with Subaru's X-Mode traction management, provided superior capability on varied terrain. The steering was light yet precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and the vehicle exhibited less body lean than previous models.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna excelled in form and function, offering power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats in the Limited with Platinum package. However, the cushions felt hard after extended driving. The second-row captain’s chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular among teenagers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna provided 949 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,129 litres with the seats stowed. Maximum cargo capacity was 2,860 litres, less than rivals due to the non-removable second-row seats. Despite this, the Sienna's sliding doors and hands-free power liftgate facilitated easy loading and unloading.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more cargo space without compromising on power. With 527 litres of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 1,433 litres with the rear row folded, it provided ample storage. The fuel tank remained a generous 63 litres, allowing for long-distance travel without frequent refuelling. Rear-seat space was generous, with 926 millimetres of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, but the inclusion of a wireless charging pad and deep door pockets offered some convenience.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system. The Limited with Platinum package included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered various connected services, with a digital assistant that responded well to voice commands. However, the JBL premium audio system's sound quality was muddied by excessive bass. The four-zone climate control and digital rearview camera were appreciated, though the HUD lacked blind-spot warnings.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the 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 featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, which could display navigation maps, though not from phone projections. Despite these features, the infotainment system lagged behind competitors in usability.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured TSS 2.0, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. While the system generally worked well, it required driver intervention during sudden braking events. The Sienna added a rear-seat reminder system for 2025, but its crash-test ratings were mixed, with a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but lower scores in frontal impact tests.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. While the 2025 model didn't receive a Top Safety Pick from IIHS, it scored well in NHTSA tests. The 2026 model's safety ratings were pending, but it included additional safety features like side-curtain airbags for rear seats.