Subaru Crosstrek vs Toyota bZ

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek retained much of its predecessor's design, yet introduced new elements like fresh sheet metal, a new chassis, and additional color options such as Sun Blaze and Sapphire Blue. The Wilderness trim offered an exclusive Geyser Blue paint job. While the wheelbase and overall length remained similar, the Crosstrek featured a steeper departure angle and slightly reduced cargo space. The vehicle's exterior was marked by 17-inch alloy wheels, 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and standard roof rails on higher trims. The front fascia had a distinctive Cheshire cat-like appearance due to the clever integration of the headlights and wing bar. Black plastic cladding with aerodynamic air inlets and outlets enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced road noise. The split taillight design from the second generation continued, allowing for wider trunk access. The Wilderness trim added unique design elements, including a hexagonal grille, larger cladding, and increased ground clearance.

Inside, the Crosstrek Wilderness featured StarTex synthetic leather upholstery, copper accents, and all-weather floor mats. The interior dimensions remained largely unchanged, with slightly reduced cargo volume. A new 11.6-inch touchscreen display was a standout feature, adding cohesiveness with other Subaru models. The Crosstrek's interior was designed with practicality in mind, offering easy-to-clean materials and thoughtful storage solutions. The Wilderness trim included additional adventure-oriented features like Nalgene cupholders and all-weather mats.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was available in XLE and Limited trims, offering single-motor FWD or dual-motor AWD configurations with two battery options. The larger battery provided more power, performance, and range, with prices ranging from $36,495 to $46,895. The XLE test vehicle featured FWD and the optional larger battery, resulting in a total MSRP of $40,468. The bZ's exterior design improved with body-color trim, enhancing its overall appearance. Inside, the dashboard and center console were redesigned for a cleaner look, with fabric seats featuring an upscale pattern. The center touchscreen increased to 14 inches, integrating climate control functions. However, the digital driver display was criticized for its placement and information overload.

The bZ's performance varied based on battery and motor configurations. The single-motor FWD model with a 57.7-kWh battery offered 165 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. The larger 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles. Dual-motor AWD models produced 338 hp, with varying ranges and efficiency ratings. The bZ supported fast charging and was compatible with Tesla Superchargers. Efficiency tests showed favorable results, but the bZ lacked one-pedal driving capability. The vehicle's handling was generally agreeable, though the FWD model struggled with traction in certain situations.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine delivering 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, and a smaller 2.0-liter engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with no manual transmission available. The CVT was praised for its smooth operation and simulated shift points, particularly in the Wilderness trim. The Crosstrek Wilderness featured a shorter final-drive ratio, enhancing off-road capability and towing capacity to 3,500 pounds. However, this resulted in increased road noise and decreased fuel economy. The Crosstrek's AWD system included Subaru's X-Mode traction management, with varying levels of capability depending on the trim. Fuel economy was competitive for a subcompact crossover, with EPA estimates of 27 mpg city, 34 highway, and 29 combined for the 2.0-liter engine, and slightly lower figures for the 2.5-liter and Wilderness trims.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered different performance levels based on battery and motor configurations. The single-motor FWD model with a 57.7-kWh battery provided 165 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. The larger 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles. Dual-motor AWD models produced 338 hp, with varying ranges and efficiency ratings. The bZ supported fast charging and was compatible with Tesla Superchargers. Efficiency tests showed favorable results, but the bZ lacked one-pedal driving capability. The vehicle's handling was generally agreeable, though the FWD model struggled with traction in certain situations.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, built on the Subaru Impreza platform, offered competitive cargo space and utility for a subcompact SUV. Rear-seat legroom and headroom were adequate, though taller passengers might prefer the front seats. The trunk provided 19.9 cubic feet of space, expanding to 54.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior featured durable, easy-to-clean materials, with thoughtful storage solutions like a center console bin designed to fit Nalgene water bottles. The Wilderness trim added adventure-oriented features, including Nalgene cupholders in the trunk and all-weather floor mats.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance and easy entry and exit. Both front seats featured standard height adjustment, with eight-way power adjustment in XLE and Limited trims. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front seats in the Limited trim. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage options, including a large bin under the center armrest and a sizable tray beneath the center console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, though foot space under the front seats was limited. The bZ offered 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek featured an 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, standard on all but the Base trim. The display offered crisp graphics and retained physical controls for essential functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with a wireless charging pad available as an option. However, the system suffered from glare in bright sunlight and required navigating through multiple menus for some features. In states with Right to Repair laws, Subaru removed certain features, such as remote start via the Starlink app.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display was criticized for its placement and information overload. The 14-inch display ran the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, which was generally user-friendly but lacked a home screen for simultaneous data panels. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with several connected service plans available. The Drive Connect feature powered the native navigation system and the Intelligent Assistant voice assistant, which performed well in testing.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek had a strong safety record, with previous models receiving a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The 2024 model included Subaru's EyeSight safety system, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The system employed a wider-angle lens for improved road visibility and included automatic emergency steering on models with blind-spot monitoring.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included features like high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist provided subtle braking and steering inputs for added safety. The Limited trim offered additional features like Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. The bZ's adaptive cruise control had inconsistent responses in traffic, and the driver monitoring system was overly sensitive. The IIHS rated the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech as Good, but the headlights received a Poor rating, and frontal-impact crash tests earned Acceptable ratings.