It’s good. It’s nationwide.
As we ready to drive the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid for the primary time final week, representatives from the Japanese automaker engaged the media in a stunning little bit of company honesty. They straight-up mentioned the earlier two editions of this fuel/electrical hybrid subcompact SUV had been “compromised,” citing elements together with restricted availability and gas economic system that was solely marginally higher than the gas-only mannequin. With a brand-new platform and hybrid drivetrain system, Subaru is hoping to handle these points and extra. From our temporary preview check drive on the roads and trails of the Pacific Northwest, they appear to have nailed it.
Refusing to Compromise
When Subaru launched the “XV Crosstrek” as its entry-level SUV for the 2013 mannequin yr, it was an immediate hit, rapidly changing into one of many model’s prime sellers. Patrons appreciated its tidy dimension, stunning functionality, and worth pricing. The Hybrid adopted in 2014 however was solely supplied within the “inexperienced” states that adopted California’s stricter emissions requirements. On prime of restricted availability, its best-case EPA fuel-economy rankings of 29/33/31 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed had been solely marginally higher than the gas-only fashions’ 26/33/29.
Higher Gasoline Economic system
Quick ahead to 2025, and the third-generation 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid is sort of able to be bought at Subaru sellers throughout america. Whereas we haven’t had an opportunity to measure its real-world gas economic system, the numbers on paper counsel a marked enchancment to 36/36/36 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed. Paired with a large-for-the-class 16.6-gallon gas tank, and Subaru estimates a most driving vary of 597 miles, which is sufficient to journey from Portland, Oregon, to Sacramento, California, on a single tank.
Credit score for this improve goes to its new hybrid drive system, which borrows know-how from Toyota. It employs a 1.1 kWh battery pack with a cooling system and two motors built-in into the constantly variable computerized transmission. When paired with a considerably revised 2.5-liter 4-cylinder fuel engine, whole output is 194 horsepower, a rise of 14 from the gas-only Crosstrek. Per Subaru custom, full-time all-wheel drive (AWD) is normal throughout the board.
Road to Path, Outdoors and In
On the paved roads and gravel trails of our drive route round southwest Washington state, the Crosstrek Hybrid acquitted itself very properly. The transition between electrical and fuel is sort of fully seamless, with acceleration being fairly robust in any respect speeds. Drivers shouldn’t have any issues darting across the city jungle or participating in freeway passing and merging maneuvers.
Energy and Efficiency
The hybrid battery pack helps decrease the automobile’s heart of gravity, permitting it to really feel very secure when cornering, although a bit extra steering really feel could be good. The fuel engine has its cylinders organized horizontally as an alternative of vertically. This makes it extra compact and helps it produce a singular sound, which could not be to everybody’s style. That mentioned, Subaru has achieved an excellent job of managing engine noise the place it’s solely audible throughout full-throttle acceleration. Wind and street racket are well-controlled, too.
Going Off-Highway
In keeping with Subaru’s market analysis, greater than 1 in 5 Crosstrek homeowners use their autos off-road. The 2026 Hybrid is greater than as much as the duty of performing some path bashing because of its AWD system and eight.7 inches of floor clearance. The off-road portion of our check drive included a number of deep ruts that the automobile dealt with with aplomb.
Connectivity
Inside, all 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid fashions make use of a completely digital instrument panel that customers can customise with map knowledge from the embedded GPS navigation or Apple Maps by way of a supported iPhone. The information is simple to learn at a look, and we recognize the additional layers of customization. Infotainment duties come courtesy of an 11.6-inch touchscreen show specified by a portrait orientation. Most audio and a few local weather controls are built-in into the display screen, which may take some getting used to. Our greatest difficulty right here is with the laggy menus and sluggish response to consumer inputs. Whereas a few of this might in all probability be addressed by way of software program, it’s extra probably that the underlying {hardware} that powers the system wants an replace.
Room and Consolation
The entrance seats are snug and supportive. They stored us in place properly throughout the off-road portion of our preview drive. Rear-seat consolation is equally good, although taller occupants will want for extra headroom. Cargo quantity of fifty.6 cubic toes with the rear seatbacks folded is best than the 44.0 of the AWD Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, near the Dodge Hornet R/T’s 50.5, however properly beneath the Kia Niro Hybrid’s 63.7.
Rivals and Pricing
Subaru considers the fuel/electrical variations of the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Toyota Corolla Cross to be the Crosstrek Hybrid’s closest opponents. We agree on the Corolla Cross, however by way of dimension, the Hornet and Niro is perhaps extra acceptable, particularly because the Tucson and CR-V present extra total passenger and cargo quantity.
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid will are available base Sport and top-line Restricted trim ranges. Every grade largely mirrors their gas-only counterparts by way of options. Hybrids add the digital gauge cluster and navigation system that doesn’t depend on a smartphone. Additionally included are blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic detection, lane-keep help, and energy driver seat. Restricted Hybrids have Subaru’s StarTex leatherette upholstery with orange distinction stitching and an upgraded Harman Kardon audio system.
Pricing for the Sport and Restricted hybrid begin at $35,415 and $36,415, respectively, inclusive of a $1,420 vacation spot charge. The one choices are extra-cost paint colours for $395 and a $1,600 possibility bundle for the Restricted that provides an influence sunroof and surround-view digicam system. Oddly, the sunroof is normal on the Sport.
Retail deliveries are slated to start in November 2025.
CG Says:
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is a automobile that does way more proper than fallacious. The fuel/electrical drivetrain is potent, easy, and responsive whereas promising far larger gas economic system than its predecessors. Whereas passenger and cargo house can really feel a bit cramped, and the infotainment system is laggy, these are solely minor blemishes on a product that’s in any other case very satisfying to drive. These new hybrids will solely serve to reinforce Crosstrek’s attraction, doubly so now that they are going to be accessible throughout the US. Keep tuned for our complete evaluation, the place we’ll put this automobile’s improved fuel-economy rankings to a real-world check.
Take heed to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Toyota Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged photos
2025 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid: Evaluation, Costs, and Specs