2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid: A new way to go, but how’s the journey?
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid returns after a three-year hiatus, with its familiar look but a newly designed powertrain underneath. Fun in a Subaru can be hit or miss, so where will this land?
2026 Mazda CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus vs. 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Limited Hybrid: Tiny all-wheel drive face-off.
This week: Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Price: $38,015 as tested. The Crosstrek Sport Hybrid is just $1,000 less, while the base hybrid version adds $7,000 over the base gasoline-powered Crosstrek.
What others are saying: “Highs: Quicker at around-town speeds than the nonhybrid, retains mechanical AWD, comfortable and straightforward cabin. Lows: Meh fuel-economy payoff, coarse and loud engine, notably pricier than the nonhybrid,” says Car and Driver.
What Subaru is saying: “Love goes the extra mile.”
Reality: Two vastly different ways to approach a tiny crossover for almost $40k.
What’s new: The Crosstrek Hybrid gets a next-generation hybrid system that works differently than the version that left town in 2023, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Naturally, it’s not the racer the Mazda is, but not everyone wants that.
Competition: In addition to the Mazda CX-30 Turbo, there are the Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Honda HR-V, Ford Bronco Sport, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Volkswagen Taos.
Up to speed: The hybrid system is a 2.5-liter boxer engine attached to electric motors, and together they create 194 horsepower. That’s 14 more than the gasoline-powered version.
The Crosstrek Hybrid gets to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, according to Car and Driver. This is a second-and-a-half slower than the CX-30 Turbo tested last week, not surprisingly.
Shiftless: The continuously variable transmission is engaged via a traditional PRND shifter. You can play with the paddles on the steering wheel but they seem more decorative; I didn’t feel any improvement using them.
On the road: After one short drive, I messaged the car-shopping Sturgis Kid 4.0 and directed him to avoid the Crosstrek Hybrid, as its steering was so vague and uninformative that its handling could be referred to as “blandling.” I know it’s tall and has some big baby Labrador paws but surely something more could have been worked out?
There’s not even a Sport mode to add a little something-something to the vibe.
Still, over the week of driving, I became a little happier with the Crosstrek Hybrid. Still, strong advantage CX-30 Turbo.
Driver’s Seat: This is the top trim of the Crosstrek Hybrid and it feels like it. The leather feels supple, venturing into Lexus territory, and the seat is nicely sized and hugs just right.
The large touchscreen is more form than function. It’s big and vertical but the rear camera image is so small, especially when it’s split between the rear and the overhead views. I’m not a systems engineer, but why not double up the screen, add top and bottom images, and make use of that verticality?
A test drive in a Ram 1500 revealed all that a vertical touchscreen could be. Though the screen size is nominally 2 extra inches, the space devoted to the infotainment system is about the same. Yes, I know the 1500 costs more than double this little ecocrossover, but let’s do better.
Still, the driving position of the CX-30 Turbo makes it by far the winner in this category as well.
Friends and stuff: The rear seat is comfortable like the front, although headroom is a bit snug. The center passenger will be cramped by the console and the floor hump.
Cargo space is 18.6 cubic feet with the seat up and 50.6 when it’s folded, which puts the CX-30 in between. I’d call this a draw.
In and out: Like the CX-30, the Crosstrek Hybrid sits at a comfortable height for entry and exit.
Play some tunes: The Harman Kardon 10-speaker audio system standard in the Limited sure sounds impressive from the name, and it mostly delivers as promised. I’d give it an A for clarity and faithful reproduction.
One knob controls volume and the other controls tuning and also takes you to the equalizer, but said equalizer is operated via some touchy graphics in the 12.3-inch infotainment screen. At least the sliders are pretty big but I really had no business trying them on the fly. Neither do owners. Please let’s stop putting things in cars that shouldn’t be changed on the fly. Another point that’s a draw.
Keeping warm and cool: The bottom part of the touchscreen is dedicated to HVAC blower speed and location, while toggles on the left and right control temperature, and it also can expand to take over the touchscreen.
Fuel economy: I averaged about 29 mpg until I started getting out on the highway a little more, and then it pushed up to 31. Strong advantage, Crosstrek Hybrid.
Where it’s built: Gunma, Japan.
How it’s built: Consumer Reports predicts the Crosstrek Hybrid reliability to be a 4 out of 5, a tick better than the CX-30.
In the end: I remain disappointed that no hybrids come close to the Prius for fuel savings, but that is a special animal.
And I am disappointed in myself as well. As much as I like to conserve our resources, that CX-30 is just way too fun. But I can say I’m being practical, as the CX-30 Turbo only lost in one category.
