2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2024 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica maintained its contemporary appeal despite not undergoing frequent redesigns. Its smooth exterior styling, featuring a modest grille, offered a refreshing alternative to the flashier designs of competitors like the Toyota Sienna. Chrysler's decision to avoid dressing up the Pacifica like an SUV, as seen with the Kia Carnival, resulted in a clean look, further enhanced by hidden sliding-door tracks. The Pacifica was available in several trims, including Touring, Touring L, Limited, and Pinnacle, with LED lighting standard across all models. The interior of the Pacifica was equally distinctive, with a minimalist dashboard design that integrated controls seamlessly. The Pinnacle trim, in particular, boasted luxurious touches like brown Nappa leather upholstery and quilted contrast stitching, although some elements, such as the rotary shifter, were easily mistaken for other controls.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, part of the third generation of Crosstreks, continued to evolve with subtle yet effective design improvements. The most noticeable update was the frameless grille with a curved wing bar, creating a visual connection with the headlights. The Crosstrek Hybrid was available in Sport and Limited trims, offering a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort. The interior featured Subaru's straightforward design philosophy, with soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The gray StarTex seats with orange contrast stitching added a touch of style, while chrome-trimmed power window switches provided an upscale accent. The Limited Hybrid trim included features like a heated steering wheel and an optional power moonroof, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The V6 engine, known as the Pentastar, had been a reliable choice across various Stellantis vehicles, offering peppy acceleration and a towing capacity of 3,600 pounds. The Pacifica's chassis tuning prioritized comfort and stability, making it a quiet and refined option compared to rivals like Honda, Kia, and Toyota.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter engine paired with a 118-hp traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 horsepower. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with smoother acceleration than the gas-only version. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other for driving the wheels and regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 miles per gallon, slightly below the EPA estimate of 36 mpg. Subaru's AWD system, combined with the X-Mode traction management system, provided excellent capability on variable terrain, although the steering feel remained light and somewhat disconnected.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica offered the innovative Stow ‘n Go seating, allowing second-row seats to fold flat into the floor, creating large in-floor storage bins. The Pacifica accommodated seven passengers with standard second-row bucket seats and a 60/40 split-folding third-row bench seat. An eight-seat configuration was available with the Touring L trim. Cargo space was generous, with 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 140.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Pacifica also featured a Stow ‘n Vac built-in vacuum cleaner, adding convenience for families.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon previous iterations by offering more horsepower and cargo space. With 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, it provided ample storage. The gas tank remained at 16.6 gallons, allowing for an impressive range of 597 miles. Rear-seat space was generous, with 36.7 inches of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. However, front storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging and deep door pockets.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system was intuitive and user-friendly, although a shortcut for the 360-degree camera system would have been appreciated. The Uconnect Theater system provided rear-seat entertainment with dual 10.1-inch touchscreens, wireless headphones, and Amazon Fire TV connectivity. The FamCam interior camera allowed parents to monitor rear-seat occupants, although an intercom system was not available.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the infotainment system lagged behind competitors like the Kia Niro Hybrid and Hyundai Kona. The software was slow, and many controls were touchscreen-based, which could be frustrating. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with physical buttons for essential functions. The Limited Hybrid trim included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, offering configurable displays, although Google Maps could not be displayed on the cluster.

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a 2023 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included a 360-degree camera system and park assist. New for 2024 was an Emergency Vehicle Alert System integrated with the Uconnect infotainment system.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to lower scores in crash tests. However, the NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Subaru's EyeSight Advanced Driver Assistance Systems were standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and automatic emergency braking. A rearview camera was also included, although Subaru lacked a semi-autonomous driving system comparable to competitors.