2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid: First Spin (Overview, Costs, and Specs) | The Each day Drive

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 shocking little bit of company honesty. They straight-up mentioned the earlier two editions of this fuel/electrical hybrid subcompact SUV had been “compromised,” citing components together with restricted availability and gas financial 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 temporary preview take a look at drive on the roads and trails of the Pacific Northwest, they appear to have nailed it.

Refusing to Compromise

When Subaru launched the “XV Crosstrek” as its entry-level SUV for the 2013 mannequin yr, it was an prompt hit, rapidly turning into one of many model’s prime sellers. Consumers appreciated its tidy measurement, shocking functionality, and worth pricing. The Hybrid adopted in 2014 however was solely supplied within the “inexperienced” states that adopted California’s stricter emissions requirements. On prime of restricted availability, its best-case EPA fuel-economy rankings of 29/33/31 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed had 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 sort of able to be offered at Subaru sellers throughout the US. Whereas we haven’t had an opportunity to measure its real-world gas financial system, the numbers on paper counsel a marked enchancment to 36/36/36 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed. Paired with a large-for-the-class 16.6-gallon gas 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 commonplace throughout the board.

Road 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 nearly fully 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 middle of gravity, permitting it to really feel very secure when cornering, although a bit extra steering really feel can 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 mentioned, Subaru has accomplished a superb 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-Highway

Based on Subaru’s market analysis, greater than 1 in 5 Crosstrek house owners use their autos off-road. The 2026 Hybrid is greater than as much as the duty of doing a little path bashing due to its AWD system and eight.7 inches of floor clearance. The off-road portion of our take a look at 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 totally digital instrument panel that customers can customise with map knowledge from the embedded GPS navigation or Apple Maps by way of a supported iPhone. The information is simple to learn at a look, and we admire 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 screen, which might take some getting used to. Our greatest difficulty right here is with the laggy menus and sluggish response to consumer inputs. Whereas a few of this might in all probability be addressed by way of software program, it’s extra seemingly that the underlying {hardware} that powers the system wants an replace.

Room and Consolation

The entrance seats are comfy and supportive. They stored us in place properly throughout 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 ft with the rear seatbacks folded is healthier than the 44.0 of the AWD Toyota Corolla Cross Hybridnear the Dodge Hornet R/T’s 50.5, however properly under the Kia Niro Hybrid’s 63.7.

Opponents 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 rivals. We agree on the Corolla Cross, however by way of measurement, the Hornet and Niro may be extra applicable, 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 bundle for the Restricted that provides an influence sunroof and surround-view digital camera system. Oddly, the sunroof is commonplace on the Sport.

Retail deliveries are slated to start in November 2025.

CG Says:

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is a car that does much more proper than unsuitable. The fuel/electrical drivetrain is potent, clean, and responsive whereas promising far better gas financial system than its predecessors. Whereas passenger and cargo area 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 reinforce Crosstrek’s enchantment, doubly so now that they are going to be obtainable throughout the US. Keep tuned for our complete evaluation, the place we’ll put this car’s improved fuel-economy rankings to a real-world take a look at.

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2025 Toyota Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Photos

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