Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs Subaru Crosstrek

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid adopted a more robust and blocky design when it was redesigned in 2019. Featuring a trapezoidal grille influenced by Toyota's truck line, it showcased beveled and angled bodywork framing the headlights. Over time, this design became less distinctive as other manufacturers, like Honda and Mazda, adopted similar styling for their models. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid carried the angular theme with a multi-tiered dashboard accented by beveled cutouts. The layout was conventional for its class, offering a central infotainment touchscreen along with several physical buttons and knobs for primary controls. Materials were average in quality, with a mix of hard plastics and lightly padded surfaces. Notably, the cheaper steering wheel on the base and Woodland trims felt rubbery and less premium than expected, though other trims featured leather-wrapped options.

In contrast, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek appeared almost identical to its 2023 predecessor but introduced new elements, such as fresh sheet metal, a new chassis, and a few new colors including Sun Blaze and Offshore Blue. The Wilderness trim added a unique Geyser Blue option. The Crosstrek maintained its wheelbase and dimensions, with some slight modifications, such as a steeper departure angle and a barely reduced cargo space. The base trim came with 17-inch alloy wheels and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it suitable for both on- and off-road excursions. Roof rails, standard on trims above the Base level, enhanced the Crosstrek's outdoor appeal. Subaru also incorporated extensive black plastic cladding for wheel arch protection and aerodynamic improvements. The front fascia featured a new “wing bar” design, giving the grille a distinctive look, while the rear retained the split taillight design from the previous generation. Wilderness trims added unique exterior elements like hexagonal front grilles, enhanced cladding, and heightened bumpers for improved off-road capability.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. This setup allowed the vehicle to achieve 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds, making it relatively quick in its class. The braking system utilized regenerative braking to recharge the hybrid battery, seamlessly transitioning to physical brakes during aggressive stops. The suspension offered a smooth ride, absorbing moderate bumps and providing confident cornering, although not aiming for sportiness. Overall, the RAV4 Hybrid offered a balanced driving experience, similar to its competitors.

For the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, performance varied by trim. The Sport and Limited trims, as well as the new Wilderness trim, came with a 2.5-liter flat-four engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The Base and Premium trims were equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine yielding 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 2.0-liter engine was notably slow, but the 2.5-liter provided a slight improvement in performance, although it was still outpaced by turbocharged competitors. Unfortunately, no manual transmission was available. The CVT, especially in the Wilderness trim with its enhanced controls, offered an improved driving experience with simulated shift points. The Wilderness trim also featured a shorter final-drive ratio for better off-road capability and increased towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. However, this trim came with the trade-offs of increased road noise and lower fuel economy. Subaru's X-Mode traction management system and standard all-wheel drive ensured superior off-road performance across all trims. Despite the weaker on-road performance, the model showed strong off-road capabilities and decent fuel economy for an AWD vehicle.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered ample space in the front seats for larger passengers, while the rear seats comfortably accommodated average-sized adults. Although it provided slightly more rear headroom than its competitors, legroom was a bit less. The rear seats were set low, potentially causing discomfort for taller passengers on long trips. Cargo capacity stood at 37.5 cubic feet, only slightly less than the non-hybrid version. This was competitive when compared to the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage. Additionally, the RAV4 excelled in interior storage, featuring a wide dashboard shelf, a front phone tray, and large cupholders and door pockets.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, built on the Subaru Impreza platform, was smaller than the RAV4 but still offered impressive cargo space for its class. Rear-seat legroom and headroom were adequate, though taller passengers might prefer the front seats. The cargo area provided 19.9 cubic feet of space, expanding to 54.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. While it lagged behind competitors like the Honda CR-V in trunk space, its total cargo capacity was competitive. Subaru's interior design focused on robustness and practicality, with easy-to-clean materials and a standard protective cargo tray on higher trims. The Wilderness trim added unique features like all-weather floor mats and additional cupholders, designed to cater to outdoor enthusiasts.

In 2023, the RAV4 Hybrid received a new infotainment system with improved graphics and logically arranged menus. The touchscreen was positioned to minimize driver distraction. Most trims featured an 8.0-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to a 10.5-inch screen. Standard equipment included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the wireless charging pad was optional. The system supported over-the-air updates and offered a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims also featured a fully digital instrument panel and an enhanced 11-speaker JBL audio system.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek introduced a large, vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen available on all trims except the Base. This display, borrowed from larger Subaru models, offered crisp graphics and retained physical controls for crucial functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an optional wireless charging pad were also included. However, the system struggled with glare in bright sunlight and had some issues with menu navigation complexity. Additionally, Subaru removed some features in states with strict Right to Repair laws, such as remote start in Massachusetts.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid earned strong safety ratings, receiving five stars overall and in side crash protection from the NHTSA, and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick designation. Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite was standard, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and parking sensors with automatic braking.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek was expected to maintain its high safety standards, continuing its streak as an IIHS Top Safety Pick since 2013. Although not yet tested by the NHTSA for 2024, the previous model received a five-star rating. Subaru’s EyeSight safety system was standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The 2024 update included a wider-angle lens for better road visibility and automatic emergency steering on models with blind-spot monitoring.