2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2020 Jeep Renegade

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid distinguished itself from its gas-powered siblings with unique visual cues. It featured bright gray inserts along the sides and front lower bumper, and blue frames around the upgraded headlight clusters. The exclusive “Lagoon Blue” color added an eye-catching appeal. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid boasted blue inserts and two-tone leather seats with blue contrast stitching, all standard. Despite its well-equipped nature, the hybrid's rear cargo space was compromised due to the battery placement, but it compensated with features like 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive headlights, and a winter windshield de-icer.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade, on the other hand, maintained its signature Jeep design with round headlights, a 7-slot grille, and trapezoidal wheel arches. The High Altitude trim, tested here, added a touch of luxury with dark gray 19-inch wheels, a dual-pane panoramic glass roof, and a black leather interior. Despite its upscale appearance, the Renegade's interior was dominated by hard plastics, which detracted from its premium feel. The Renegade's design made it feel larger inside, with a spacious and open atmosphere, although rear seat space was limited.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a 2.0-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 134 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and two electric motors. Its 8.8-kWh battery offered an electric-only range of 17 miles, with a full charge taking five hours on a 120-volt outlet. The Crosstrek Hybrid's AWD system was as capable as any Subaru, providing confidence over rough terrain. However, its acceleration was underwhelming, and the hybrid components added 500 pounds, affecting handling. Despite these drawbacks, it achieved an EPA rating of 90 MPGe and 35 mpg on gas alone.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered a choice between a 2.4-liter engine with 180 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.3-liter engine with 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine, tested here, provided energetic performance, but suffered from turbo lag and a nine-speed automatic transmission focused on fuel economy. The Renegade's AWD system, Active Drive, engaged when needed, but the turbo required premium fuel and averaged 23.6 mpg. The Renegade's driving dynamics were mixed, with a flinty ride and sloppy steering, but the Trailhawk trim excelled in off-road capability.

Inside the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, the absence of a handbrake made way for an electronic emergency-brake toggle, allowing for a more efficient layout. The upright seating position provided a commanding view, and rear seat space was adequate even for taller passengers. However, the cargo area was reduced to 41 cubic feet due to the battery pack, compared to 55 cubic feet in the gas-powered version.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade's interior felt spacious due to its boxy design and panoramic glass roof. The driver's seat offered ample adjustability, but front passengers lacked seat height adjustment. Rear seat space was cramped, and storage options were limited. Cargo volume measured 18.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 50.8 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system and an 8-inch touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a color multi-information display atop the dash for monitoring various metrics. However, the USB port placement could have been more convenient.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. Despite its age, Uconnect remained intuitive, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Renegade also offered a Kenwood premium audio system and a comprehensive driver information center, along with a parking assist system for ease of use.

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included standard safety features like airbags, traction control, and a reversing camera. Subaru’s EyeSight suite added forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. EyeSight provided semi-autonomous highway driving and alerts for distracted drivers.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered safety features through the Advanced Tech Group, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Safety and Security Group added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Renegade earned a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA, with a 3-star rating for rear-seat side-impact protection.