2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for that model year. It was notably longer, measuring 226.9 inches compared to the Escalade's 211.9 inches, and slightly lower at 76.4 inches. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space. The wheelbase was also extended to 134.1 inches, improving stability and design proportions, giving it a more balanced appearance. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious exterior with chrome styling on certain trims and blacked-out accents on others, all riding on 22-inch wheels. The grille design varied across trim levels, adding to its distinct look. Standard features included LED headlights, roof rails, and power-extending assist steps, while optional packages offered further enhancements. However, the interior, despite its high price, was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique design elements, especially in lighter color schemes.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, part of the third generation of Crosstreks, carried forward evolutionary improvements from its 2024 redesign. It featured subtle exterior updates, including a frameless grille with a curved wing bar connecting to the headlights, giving it a distinctive front fascia. The black plastic cladding around the wheel arches included aerodynamic air inlets and outlets, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing road noise. The Crosstrek Hybrid was available in two trims, Sport and Limited, and offered a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort inside. The cabin maintained Subaru's straightforward design philosophy, with consistent material quality and soft-touch surfaces in key areas. The gray StarTex seats with orange contrast stitching added a subtle design flourish, while the Limited Hybrid trim included a heated steering wheel and an optional power moonroof. Overall, the Crosstrek Hybrid presented a practical and comfortable interior, though not as luxurious as the Escalade ESV.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a standard 6.2-liter V8 delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided sufficient power, though it could have benefited from more low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The vehicle's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, contributed to its performance challenges, especially when towing. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA for the ESV, but the traditional Escalade achieved an estimated 17 to 23 mpg combined. During testing, the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg in combined driving situations.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine paired with a 118-horsepower traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 horsepower. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with noticeably quicker and smoother acceleration compared to the gas-only version. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other as a drive motor and for regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 miles per gallon, falling short of the EPA's estimate of 36 mpg combined. However, its AWD system, combined with Subaru's X-Mode traction management, made it more capable on variable terrain compared to competitors like the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. The Crosstrek's steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and it exhibited less body lean than previous models.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a comfortable and plush people and cargo hauler, offering leatherette seating surfaces as standard and leather upholstery as an option. It featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. Buyers could upgrade to 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and a panoramic sunroof. The Escalade ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, while the third row was suitable for occasional adult use. Cargo space was generous, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third row. The power-adjustable third row could be folded using a switch in the cargo area, though it sometimes required manual adjustment. The hands-free power liftgate worked inconsistently, but the rear window could be opened for additional storage options. An adaptive air suspension made entry and exit easier and assisted in avoiding obstacles.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, in its third iteration, addressed previous compromises by offering more horsepower and cargo space. It featured 18.6 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats and a total capacity of 50.6 cubic feet with the rear row folded. The gas tank remained the same size as the all-gas models, allowing for an impressive range of up to 597 miles between fill-ups. The Crosstrek Hybrid provided ample rear-seat space with 36.7 inches of legroom, significantly more than competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray housing a wireless charging pad and two cupholders. Despite its compact size, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered practical storage solutions and a comfortable interior for passengers.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV stood out for its advanced technology, featuring a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system with an optional upgrade to a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. It included wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The highlight was a curved 38-inch OLED screen, comprising three displays for driver information and infotainment. The OLED technology provided deep blacks and crisp graphics, enhancing the cabin's ambiance. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on designated highways. While Super Cruise generally performed well, it occasionally struggled in certain conditions, such as construction zones or sudden changes in lighting. Despite some limitations, Super Cruise was highly valued for highway driving.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, standard on both Sport Hybrid and Limited Hybrid trims. However, the infotainment system was less competitive compared to rivals like the Kia Niro Hybrid and Hyundai Kona. The software was slow, and the screen was prone to fingerprints. Many controls were accessed via touchscreen buttons, which some users found inconvenient. On the positive side, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with physical buttons for volume, tuning, and HVAC controls. The Limited Hybrid trim featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, offering configurable displays, though it couldn't display Google Maps from phone projections. Overall, while the Crosstrek Hybrid's technology had its drawbacks, it provided essential connectivity features.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, safety seat alert, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Additional technologies were available, such as adaptive park assist, a head-up display, rear camera mirror, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, side blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert, night vision, advanced adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, and automatic seatbelt tightening. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Escalade ESV a four-star rating out of five, with a three-star rating in the rollover test, indicating a higher risk of rollover collisions.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) as standard, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, automatic emergency braking, and a rearview camera. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not award the 2025 Crosstrek a Top Safety Pick designation due to a Marginal score in the moderate overlap front crash test and an Acceptable score in the side-impact test. Subaru addressed these issues by adding side-curtain airbags to the rear seats. The NHTSA gave the 2025 Crosstrek a five-star overall safety rating, though the 2026 model had not yet been rated by either organization.