2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that commanded attention. Its exterior styling was reminiscent of a long sedan, despite being an SUV, with a long hood and low ground clearance. The design drew inspiration from the classic Seville, featuring a long wheelbase, short tail, and wide track. The front of the LYRIQ was adorned with vertical light bars and nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking. The grille varied between trims, with the Sport trim showcasing a dark triangular motif. The LYRIQ's wraparound taillights and fender-mounted vertical lights created a bold presence, while the interior boasted luxury details like leather-wrapped seats, polished controls, and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display. However, the floating center console was a design misstep, offering little functionality.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid maintained its reputation for attractive design, with evolutionary improvements over its predecessors. The third-generation model featured new sheet metal and chassis construction, with a frameless grille and aerodynamic enhancements for improved efficiency. The Crosstrek Hybrid was available in Sport and Limited trims, with the Limited Hybrid offering a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort. The interior showcased Subaru's straightforward design philosophy, with soft-touch surfaces and durable materials. The gray StarTex seats with orange stitching added a touch of style, while the chrome-trimmed power window switches provided an upscale accent. The cabin was practical, with a focus on function over flash, and the optional power moonroof added an airy feel.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was not as sporty as its exterior suggested, but it excelled on the interstate with a calm and poised ride. It featured two Chinese-sourced motors producing 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for AWD, while the standard setup offered 340 hp and 325 lb-ft with RWD. The 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack provided a claimed range of 314 miles for RWD and 307 miles for AWD, though real-world testing showed closer to 260 miles. Charging was efficient, with the battery reaching 80 percent in 30 to 35 minutes. However, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its 5,800-pound weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The lack of handling-enhancing features like torque vectoring and magnetic dampers was a disappointment.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid offered a more powerful and efficient powertrain than its predecessors. The hybrid combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine with a 118-hp traction motor, delivering a total of 194 horsepower. The hybrid's acceleration was smoother and quicker than the gas-only version, though it still required careful planning for highway passing. The Crosstrek Hybrid utilized two motor-generators for engine start/stop and regenerative braking, achieving 31 mpg during testing. Subaru's AWD system, combined with X-Mode traction management, provided superior off-road capability compared to competitors. The steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and the vehicle exhibited less body lean than previous models.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges with build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a loose charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray were notable issues. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited space and exposed valuables. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was cumbersome, and drive mode selection required navigating multiple menus. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ provided generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited, offering 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. The absence of a large battery allowed for a lower trunk floor, resulting in 18.6 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 50.6 cubic feet with the rear row folded. The gas tank remained at 16.6 gallons, providing an impressive range of 597 miles. The Crosstrek Hybrid offered ample rear-seat space with 36.7 inches of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. While front storage was limited, the vehicle featured a wireless charging pad, cupholders, and deep door pockets for practicality.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and gauge cluster layouts. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided excellent hands-free driving capabilities, with a helpful colored bar on the steering wheel indicating system status. The 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its software was slow and laggy compared to competitors. The screen was prone to fingerprints, and many controls were touchscreen-based, which was less convenient than physical buttons. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing drivers to bypass the Starlink software. The Limited Hybrid trim featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though the navigation map could not display Google Maps when using phone projection.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. It came standard with forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, rear emergency braking, and a rear camera displayed on the rearview mirror.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS due to Marginal and Acceptable scores in crash tests. However, NHTSA awarded it five stars in its overall safety rating. Subaru's EyeSight ADAS included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and automatic emergency braking, along with a rearview camera. The Crosstrek Hybrid lacked a semi-autonomous driving system comparable to competitors.