Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Genesis GV80

The 2025 Genesis GV80 was a testament to sophisticated design, offering two engine options and five trims, with the top Prestige trim featuring a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged engine. The redesign enhanced its already handsome appearance, with a more aggressive lower bumper and a grille with added depth. The front fascia retained its traditional two horizontal bar headlights, now filled with a micro lens array, while the rear saw subtler changes. The interior was equally stunning, boasting quilted Nappa leather seats and unique accents like basalt or recycled newspaper trim. The center console featured three tactile dials, including a gear selector and drive mode selector, though the redundant infotainment dial seemed less practical compared to the touchscreen.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary improvements of its predecessors, maintaining its attractive design. The third-generation model featured a frameless grille with a curved wing bar, creating a visual connection with the headlights. The black plastic cladding around the wheel arches included aerodynamic air inlets and outlets, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, offering soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The gray StarTex seats with orange contrast stitching added a subtle design flourish, while the chrome-trimmed power window switches provided an upscale accent. The Limited Hybrid trim included a heated steering wheel and an optional power moonroof, contributing to an airy atmosphere.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 retained its powertrain options, with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The top Prestige trim featured a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. All trims came with all-wheel drive, capable of sending up to 100% of torque to the rear wheels. The GV80 offered a satisfying acceleration experience, with a burly sound from the six cylinders at wide open throttle. The adaptive suspension and throttle response tightened in Sport mode, though the vehicle remained best suited for cruising. The brakes were firm and linear, ensuring confident stops even on rough roads.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid was equipped with a 2.5-liter engine paired with a 118-hp traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 horsepower. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with quicker and smoother acceleration than the gas-only version. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other as a drive motor and for regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 miles per gallon, slightly below the EPA estimate of 36 mpg. Subaru's AWD system, combined with the X-Mode traction management system, provided capable performance on variable terrain, though the steering remained light and somewhat disconnected.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 came well-equipped with features like power-adjustable heated seats, power-folding mirrors, and the new Mood Curator for a spa-like experience. The top Prestige trim included heated armrests, three-zone climate control, and ventilated front seats. However, the seats were uncomfortably rigid, making long trips less enjoyable. The second row offered almost 39 inches of legroom, with power-adjustable reclining seats. A third row was available in the Advance trim, though its 30 inches of legroom was best suited for children. Cargo space was expected to be similar to the 35 cubic feet of the 2024 model, and the GV80 could tow up to 6,000 pounds.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. The 2026 model featured 18.6 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats, expanding to 50.6 cubic feet with the rear row folded. The gas tank remained a generous 16.6 gallons, allowing for an impressive range of 597 miles. Rear-seat space was ample, with 36.7 inches of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging and two cupholders. Despite these limitations, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a practical and spacious interior.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 featured a 27-inch OLED screen for the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available later. While the infotainment system boasted clean graphics, navigating through menus could be cumbersome. A programmable favorite button offered a workaround, but it required sacrificing other shortcuts. Standard technology included wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and four USB-C ports. The top trim added a 12-inch head-up display and a digital rearview mirror. The 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system provided sophisticated sound quality, surpassing previous setups.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, though its software lagged behind competitors like the Kia Niro Hybrid and Hyundai Kona. The screen was prone to fingerprints, and many controls were touchscreen-based, which could be frustrating. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing drivers to bypass the Starlink software. Physical buttons were available for volume, tuning, and HVAC controls. The Limited Hybrid trim 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 Genesis GV80 included advanced driver aids like lane keeping assist, forward collision avoidance, and blind-spot monitoring. Upper trims added remote smart parking and a 360-degree camera system. The Highway Drive Assist system featured an attention monitor, though it struggled with certain sunglasses. The NHTSA had not yet rated the 2025 model, but the 2024 GV80 received five stars for overall safety and side crashes. The IIHS rated the 2024 model "Good" in crashworthiness and "Average" in crash avoidance.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. The 2025 model received a Marginal rating in the moderate overlap front crash test and an Acceptable rating in the side-impact test. Subaru added side-curtain airbags to address these issues. The Crosstrek Hybrid included EyeSight ADAS features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking. However, Subaru lacked a semi-autonomous driving system comparable to competitors.