Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs Toyota Corolla Cross

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross presented a conservative design approach, pulling back from Toyota's recent daring styles. Its snub nose was reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra, and it featured the obligatory tall ride height and plastic fender flares typical of SUVs. However, the overall look was understated, seemingly to avoid overshadowing its larger sibling, the RAV4. The Corolla Cross was 5.3 inches shorter than the RAV4, making it a true compact SUV, yet larger than the Toyota C-HR. Its conventional shape offered more interior space than the C-HR, which prioritized style over substance. Subtle styling details included scalloping around the rear door handles and mirrors, and hidden Corolla Cross logos throughout the vehicle. Wheel options varied from 17-inch steel on the base model to 18-inch alloy on the XLE, which also featured LED daytime running lights and fog lights.

Inside, the Corolla Cross's interior closely resembled that of the Corolla sedan and hatchback, with oversized door handles akin to the RAV4. However, material quality felt inferior to the Corolla sedan and hatch. The base L model's interior was reminiscent of a taxi, while the XLE, despite its SofTex leatherette upholstery and leather-wrapped steering wheel, still felt basic. The LE and XLE offered a moonroof as an extra-cost option, enhancing the otherwise modest interior.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary improvements seen in its third generation. It carried forward changes from 2024, including new sheet metal and chassis construction, with the most noticeable update being the frameless grille with a curved wing bar connecting the headlights, giving it a Cheshire cat-like smile. The black plastic cladding around the wheel arches featured aerodynamic air inlets and outlets, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing road noise. The Crosstrek Hybrid was available in two trims: Sport and Limited, with the Limited Hybrid offering a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort. The cabin maintained Subaru's straightforward design philosophy, with soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The gray StarTex seats with orange contrast stitching added a subtle design flourish, while chrome-trimmed power window switches provided an upscale accent. The Limited Hybrid included a heated steering wheel and an optional power moonroof, although smaller than the Forester's.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT featured an actual first gear for responsive acceleration, though it transitioned abruptly to normal CVT operation. At higher speeds, the powertrain exhibited typical CVT issues like engine droning and rubber-banding. While not a liability on highways, the engine worked hard to maintain pace. The interior remained quiet, and ride quality was solid, though body roll was noticeable. The optional AWD system, similar to the Toyota Camry's, could send 10% to 50% of torque to the rear wheels, engaging without wheel slip and during hard cornering. Despite its SUV-like 8.2 inches of ground clearance, the Corolla Cross wasn't designed for off-roading, and its 1,500-pound towing capacity was modest.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter engine paired with a 118-hp traction motor, delivering a total system output of 194 horsepower. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with smoother acceleration than the gas-only version. The hybrid system used two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other as a drive motor and for regenerative braking. During a test drive, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 miles per gallon, below the EPA's estimate of 36 mpg, partly due to dirt road driving. The Crosstrek's AWD system, with a mechanical connection, offered better capability on variable terrain compared to the Corolla Cross's electric AWD. Subaru's X-Mode traction management system, standard on all Crosstreks, provided specific settings for different terrains and included hill-descent control. The steering feel was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and body lean was reduced compared to older models.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross offered more passenger and cargo space than the Corolla hatchback, with an extra 2.1 inches of rear legroom and 1.4 inches of rear headroom. Rear climate-control vents were standard, and XLE models featured dual-zone automatic climate control. Cargo space was 26.5 cubic feet with FWD and 25.2 cubic feet with AWD, expanding to 66.8 cubic feet with FWD and 65.5 cubic feet with AWD when the rear seats were folded. While spacious for its segment, the Corolla Cross's interior was not particularly comfortable, with hard and unsupportive seats and a tall, upright driving position. Storage spaces were minimal.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved on previous iterations by offering more horsepower and cargo space. It featured 18.6 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 50.6 cubic feet with the rear row folded. The gas tank remained at 16.6 gallons, allowing for a potential range of 597 miles. Rear-seat space was generous, with 36.7 inches of legroom, significantly more than the Corolla Cross Hybrid's 32 inches. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray housing a wireless charging pad and two cupholders, complemented by deep door pockets and a standard-size glove compartment.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen on the base L model, with LE and XLE models receiving an 8-inch touchscreen. The XLE also included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard across all trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked sophistication, with plain graphics and slow boot-up times. The optional digital instrument cluster was cluttered, and the smaller display in lower trims showed redundant information. Two front USB-A ports were standard, with a third port for rear passengers and wireless charging available on the LE. Only the LE and XLE models featured pushbutton start.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, standard on both Sport Hybrid and Limited Hybrid trims. However, the infotainment system was slow and prone to fingerprints, with many controls relegated to touchscreen buttons. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with physical buttons for volume, tuning, defroster settings, and HVAC temperature controls. The Limited Hybrid included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, configurable with various displays, though it couldn't display Google Maps from phone projections.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. The LE added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the XLE included rear automatic braking and front and rear park assist with automatic braking.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS for 2026, but the 2025 model received five stars from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated it Marginal in the moderate overlap front crash test and Acceptable in the side-impact test. Subaru added side-curtain airbags to the rear seats to address these issues. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, automatic emergency braking, and a rearview camera.