It’s good. It’s nationwide.
As we ready to drive the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid for the primary time final week, representatives from the Japanese automaker engaged the media in a stunning little bit of company honesty. They straight-up stated the earlier two editions of this fuel/electrical hybrid subcompact SUV have been “compromised,” citing elements together with restricted availability and gasoline economic system that was solely marginally higher than the gas-only mannequin. With a brand-new platform and hybrid drivetrain system, Subaru is hoping to deal with these points and extra. From our transient preview check drive on the roads and trails of the Pacific Northwest, they appear to have nailed it.
2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
Refusing to Compromise
When Subaru launched the “XV Crosstrek” as its entry-level SUV for the 2013 mannequin 12 months, it was an on the spot hit, rapidly changing into one of many model’s high sellers. Patrons appreciated its tidy dimension, stunning functionality, and worth pricing. The Hybrid adopted in 2014 however was solely provided within the “inexperienced” states that adopted California’s stricter emissions requirements. On high of restricted availability, its best-case EPA fuel-economy rankings of 29/33/31 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed have been solely marginally higher than the gas-only fashions’ 26/33/29.
Higher Gas Economic system
Quick ahead to 2025, and the third-generation 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid is almost able to be bought at Subaru sellers throughout the US. Whereas we haven’t had an opportunity to measure its real-world gasoline economic system, the numbers on paper recommend a marked enchancment to 36/36/36 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed. Paired with a large-for-the-class 16.6-gallon gasoline tank, and Subaru estimates a most driving vary of 597 miles, which is sufficient to journey from Portland, Oregon, to Sacramento, California, on a single tank.
Credit score for this improve goes to its new hybrid drive system, which borrows know-how from Toyota. It employs a 1.1 kWh battery pack with a cooling system and two motors built-in into the repeatedly variable automated transmission. When paired with a considerably revised 2.5-liter 4-cylinder fuel engine, whole output is 194 horsepower, a rise of 14 from the gas-only Crosstrek. Per Subaru custom, full-time all-wheel drive (AWD) is customary throughout the board.
Avenue to Path, Exterior and In
On the paved roads and gravel trails of our drive route round southwest Washington state, the Crosstrek Hybrid acquitted itself very properly. The transition between electrical and fuel is sort of utterly seamless, with acceleration being fairly sturdy in any respect speeds. Drivers shouldn’t have any issues darting across the city jungle or participating in freeway passing and merging maneuvers.
Energy and Efficiency
The hybrid battery pack helps decrease the car’s heart of gravity, permitting it to really feel very steady when cornering, although a bit extra steering really feel could be good. The fuel engine has its cylinders organized horizontally as a substitute of vertically. This makes it extra compact and helps it produce a singular sound, which could not be to everybody’s style. That stated, Subaru has carried out a very good job of managing engine noise the place it’s solely audible throughout full-throttle acceleration. Wind and street racket are well-controlled, too.
Going Off-Street
In keeping with Subaru’s market analysis, greater than 1 in 5 Crosstrek house owners use their automobiles off-road. The 2026 Hybrid is greater than as much as the duty of performing some path bashing due to its AWD system and eight.7 inches of floor clearance. The off-road portion of our check drive included a couple of deep ruts that the car dealt with with aplomb.
Connectivity
Inside, all 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid fashions make use of a completely digital instrument panel that customers can customise with map information from the embedded GPS navigation or Apple Maps through a supported iPhone. The information is straightforward to learn at a look, and we recognize the additional layers of customization. Infotainment duties come courtesy of an 11.6-inch touchscreen show specified by a portrait orientation. Most audio and a few local weather controls are built-in into the display, which might take some getting used to. Our greatest problem right here is with the laggy menus and sluggish response to person inputs. Whereas a few of this might most likely be addressed through software program, it’s extra probably that the underlying {hardware} that powers the system wants an replace.
Room and Consolation
The entrance seats are comfy and supportive. They saved us in place properly through the off-road portion of our preview drive. Rear-seat consolation is equally good, although taller occupants will want for extra headroom. Cargo quantity of fifty.6 cubic toes with the rear seatbacks folded is healthier than the 44.0 of the AWD Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, near the Dodge Hornet R/T’s 50.5, however properly beneath the Kia Niro Hybrid’s 63.7.
Rivals and Pricing
Subaru considers the fuel/electrical variations of the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Toyota Corolla Cross to be the Crosstrek Hybrid’s closest opponents. We agree on the Corolla Cross, however by way of dimension, the Hornet and Niro may be extra acceptable, particularly because the Tucson and CR-V present extra total passenger and cargo quantity.
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid will are available in base Sport and top-line Restricted trim ranges. Every grade largely mirrors their gas-only counterparts by way of options. Hybrids add the digital gauge cluster and navigation system that doesn’t depend on a smartphone. Additionally included are blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic detection, lane-keep help, and energy driver seat. Restricted Hybrids have Subaru’s StarTex leatherette upholstery with orange distinction stitching and an upgraded Harman Kardon audio system.
Pricing for the Sport and Restricted hybrid begin at $35,415 and $36,415, respectively, inclusive of a $1,420 vacation spot charge. The one choices are extra-cost paint colours for $395 and a $1,600 choice package deal for the Restricted that provides an influence sunroof and surround-view digicam system. Oddly, the sunroof is customary on the Sport.
Retail deliveries are slated to start in November 2025.
CG Says:
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is a car that does way more proper than flawed. The fuel/electrical drivetrain is potent, clean, and responsive whereas promising far larger gasoline economic system than its predecessors. Whereas passenger and cargo house can really feel a bit cramped, and the infotainment system is laggy, these are solely minor blemishes on a product that’s in any other case very satisfying to drive. These new hybrids will solely serve to boost Crosstrek’s enchantment, doubly so now that they are going to be out there throughout the US. Keep tuned for our complete evaluate, the place we’ll put this car’s improved fuel-economy rankings to a real-world check.
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2025 Toyota Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Footage
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2026 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness: First Spin (Evaluate, Costs)
