Toyota Sienna vs Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2025 Toyota Sienna retained its classic minivan silhouette, despite Toyota's efforts to inject some style into its design. The trapezoidal grille, upswept body lines, and narrow taillights gave it a distinctive look, but it still resembled a traditional minivan. The Platinum trim, with its new flower-petal wheel designs and Magnetic Gray paint, added a touch of elegance. Inside, the Sienna's updated interior featured a new woodgrain finish, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. While the interior was considered an improvement, some passengers found the design elements less appealing.

In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued to build on its attractive design lineage. The third-generation Crosstrek featured subtle evolutionary changes, with a frameless grille and aerodynamic enhancements around the wheel arches. The interior offered a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort, with soft-touch surfaces and durable materials. The gray StarTex seats with orange contrast stitching added a distinctive touch. The Crosstrek Hybrid's cabin maintained Subaru's straightforward design philosophy, prioritizing function over flash.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna was powered by a hybrid system combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It delivered a net horsepower of 245, which, while not particularly high, was sufficient for the minivan's needs. The Sienna's hybrid powertrain aimed to maximize fuel economy, achieving an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving. However, during testing, it averaged 26.3 mpg. The Sienna offered predictable handling and a smooth ride, though it lacked the excitement of sportier vehicles. The CVT's droning noise during hard acceleration was a drawback, but the Sienna excelled in providing a quiet highway experience.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter Boxer H4 engine and two motor-generators. This setup produced a total system output of 194 horsepower, making it the fastest Crosstrek to date. The hybrid's acceleration was smoother and quicker than the gas-only version, though it didn't feel significantly faster on the highway. The Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 mpg during testing, falling short of the EPA's estimate of 36 mpg. Subaru's AWD system, combined with X-Mode traction management, enhanced the Crosstrek's off-road capabilities. The steering remained light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna offered practical seating and cargo solutions. The front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, though they felt hard during long drives. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with passengers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna provided 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the third row stowed. However, its maximum cargo capacity of 101 cubic feet was less than its rivals due to the inability to remove the second-row seats.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved on its predecessors by offering more cargo space and a larger gas tank. With 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 50.6 cubic feet with the rear row folded, it provided ample storage. The Crosstrek Hybrid's 16.6-gallon gas tank allowed for extended driving range. Rear-seat space was generous, with 36.7 inches of legroom, 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 Toyota Sienna featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) infotainment system. The Platinum trim included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display (HUD), and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered various connected services plans, with a digital assistant that responded accurately to commands. The 12-speaker JBL premium audio system provided decent sound quality, though it could be bass-heavy. The Sienna's climate control system and digital rearview camera were appreciated by passengers.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, though its infotainment system lagged behind competitors. The software was slow, and the screen was prone to fingerprints. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing drivers to bypass the Starlink software. The Crosstrek Limited Hybrid featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, which could display navigation maps. While the tech had its shortcomings, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered some useful features.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna's safety systems generally performed well, though the adaptive cruise control required vigilance in urban areas. The Sienna received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, but its frontal crash-test result was four stars, with a three-star rating for driver protection in a frontal impact.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and automatic emergency braking. The Crosstrek Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. Subaru addressed safety concerns by adding side-curtain airbags to the rear seats.