2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2025 Lincoln Aviator

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator, built on a rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the Ford Explorer, showcased classic design proportions with a blunt nose, short front overhang, and a sleek dash-to-axle ratio. Its tapered roofline and greenhouse added to its allure, though they compromised third-row passenger space. The Aviator's design leaned more towards a sports wagon than a traditional SUV, but the 2025 styling updates, particularly with the Jet Appearance Package, made it appear more generic. Inside, the Aviator offered a plush, architecturally classic interior, avoiding the screen-heavy approach of its siblings. However, the remote keyless entry fob was a letdown, made of cheap plastic, which contrasted with the otherwise luxurious feel. The Aviator was available in Premiere, Reserve, and Black Label trims, with our test vehicle in Reserve trim featuring optional AWD and a host of premium packages, bringing its price to $83,550.

In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary improvements of its predecessors, maintaining an attractive design with subtle updates. The most noticeable change was the front fascia, featuring a frameless grille and aerodynamic enhancements around the wheel arches. The Crosstrek Hybrid was available in Sport and Limited trims, with our test vehicle being the Limited Hybrid. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, featuring durable materials and thoughtful design touches like orange contrast stitching on the StarTex seats. While the interior was straightforward, it lacked the breathability of more luxurious materials. The Crosstrek Hybrid also included upscale accents like chrome-trimmed power window switches and a heated steering wheel, enhancing its appeal.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator was powered by a robust twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided ample acceleration and passing power, though fuel economy was a concern, with an observed 17.7 mpg compared to the EPA's 20 mpg estimate. The Aviator offered various driving modes, including Excite and Conserve, but its adaptive air suspension and heavy wheels made it less thrilling to drive. Despite its power, the Aviator prioritized comfort and composure over athleticism, with its Air Glide suspension effectively managing body motions and ensuring a smooth ride.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain combining a 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine with a 118-hp traction motor, producing a total of 194 horsepower. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, though it still required careful planning for highway overtakes. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators for engine start/stop functions and regenerative braking, contributing to its efficiency. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 36 mpg estimate, partly due to off-road driving conditions. Subaru's AWD system and X-Mode traction management enhanced its capability on varied terrain, though the steering remained light and somewhat disconnected.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator excelled in comfort, with its Perfect Position front seats offering 30-way adjustability, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were also comfortable, though less adjustable. The third-row seats, however, were cramped and better suited for children. The Aviator provided excellent storage solutions, including a smartphone charging pad, deep door pockets, and a sizable cargo area. With the third row in use, it offered 19.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 78.6 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more cargo space and a larger gas tank. With 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 50.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, it provided practical storage options. The Crosstrek Hybrid also boasted a 16.6-gallon gas tank, allowing for extended driving range. 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 and cupholders, though door pockets and a glove compartment offered additional space.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator featured a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system powered by Lincoln Digital Experience. While the system supported Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, our test vehicle experienced issues with voice recognition, though wireless Apple CarPlay and Siri worked seamlessly. The Aviator also included an app called Elevated Journey, offering mindfulness coaching for stress relief. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system provided exceptional audio quality, and the head-up display offered comprehensive data presentation.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, though its software lagged behind competitors. The system was slow and prone to fingerprints, with too many controls relegated to the touchscreen. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing a workaround for the system's shortcomings. The Limited Hybrid trim included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though the navigation map couldn't display Google Maps from phone projections.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features through Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0, including active blind-spot monitoring, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. While the reverse braking assist system was overly sensitive, adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist performed well. BlueCruise, a hands-free driving assistance system, was standard, offering proactive control handover. The Aviator received five-star ratings from NHTSA and Good ratings from IIHS, indicating strong safety performance.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, while not yet rated by IIHS or NHTSA for 2026, included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking. The 2025 model received a Marginal rating in the moderate overlap front crash test and an Acceptable rating in the side-impact test, prompting Subaru to add side-curtain airbags to the rear seats. NHTSA awarded the 2025 Crosstrek five stars overall.