Honda Odyssey vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2025 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar design lineage that harked back to its 2011 predecessor, offering a well-worn aesthetic that was as predictable as a Dad joke. Its interior followed suit with a traditional approach, featuring buttons, knobs, and physical switchgear that were easy to use, thanks to bright white markings on matte black backgrounds. The Odyssey was available in EX-L, Sport-L, Touring, and Elite trims, with the base EX trim discontinued, resulting in a higher starting price of $42,220. The Elite trim, priced at $51,180, showcased a new Smoke Blue Pearl paint and two-tone leather seats, maintaining the high-quality materials expected from Honda.

In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued to evolve with each redesign, maintaining its attractive appeal. The third-generation Crosstrek featured subtle exterior updates, including a frameless grille and aerodynamic enhancements around the wheel arches. The Hybrid was available in Sport and Limited trims, with the Limited offering a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort. The interior boasted soft-touch surfaces, durable plastics, and distinctive orange contrast stitching on the gray StarTex seats. The Limited Hybrid added upscale touches like chrome-trimmed power window switches and a heated steering wheel, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey, while not designed for driving excitement, offered a rewarding experience for a minivan. It housed a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The Odyssey achieved an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined, with real-world tests returning 21.4 mpg on a loop and 24 mpg during a week of varied driving. Despite lacking AWD or a hybrid option, the Odyssey's V6 provided spirited performance, and its ride and handling were expertly tuned for a natural driving experience. The minivan excelled in comfort and maneuverability, though it lacked a surround-view camera system.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, equipped with AWD and a CVT, offered a more powerful hybrid powertrain than its predecessors. The 2.5-liter engine, combined with a 118-hp traction motor, delivered a total output of 194 horsepower, making it the fastest Crosstrek to date. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators for improved efficiency and regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 mpg, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 36 mpg. Subaru's AWD system, coupled with X-Mode traction management, provided superior off-road capability compared to competitors. The Crosstrek's steering was light yet precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey excelled in maximizing interior space, accommodating eight passengers and offering up to 140.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The Elite trim featured power-adjustable leather seats with heating and ventilation, though taller drivers might find the seating position cramped. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided versatile configurations, though they required removal for maximum cargo space. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the Odyssey offered ample storage options throughout the cabin, along with features like a conversation mirror and Cabin Talk intercom.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. With 18.6 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 50.6 cubic feet with the rear row folded, it provided ample storage without compromising on passenger space. The gas tank remained a generous 16.6 gallons, allowing for extended driving range. Rear-seat legroom was impressive at 36.7 inches, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. While front storage was limited, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered practical features like a wireless charging pad and deep door pockets.

The 2025 Honda Odyssey received a technology update with a 7-inch digital driver display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and smartphone charging, though the infotainment system's graphics and voice recognition were subpar. The rear-seat entertainment system, featuring Amazon Fire TV technology, proved frustrating to use, requiring a personal device connection via HDMI.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, though 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 a drawback. The Limited 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 2025 Honda Odyssey included Honda Sensing, a suite of driving-assistance systems, with features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. While generally smooth, the adaptive cruise control could brake too hard in traffic. The Odyssey earned high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, except for a "Poor" rating in a new evaluation.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, while not yet rated by IIHS or NHTSA for 2026, included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking. The 2025 model received a five-star rating from NHTSA but scored lower in IIHS tests, prompting Subaru to add rear-seat side-curtain airbags.