2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover continued to uphold its legacy as a symbol of luxury and subtlety. Despite being part of a family of models, the classic Range Rover offered a choice between standard and long-wheelbase versions, with the latter available in both two-row and three-row configurations. Buyers could select from SE, Autobiography, and SV trims, with wheel sizes varying from 21 to 22 inches depending on the model. The fifth-generation Range Rover, known as the L460, retained a design similar to its predecessor, the L405, with updated headlights and taillights. Its minimalist exterior, characterized by ample size and minimal detailing, exuded a high-end aura without the ostentation of some competitors. Inside, the Range Rover's interior mirrored its exterior simplicity, featuring a touchscreen, a discreet engine start button, and a minimalist shifter. While the dashboard appeared stark, the attention to detail in its design was evident, though some materials fell short of expectations for a luxury vehicle.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, part of the third generation of Crosstreks, built upon the evolutionary improvements introduced in 2024. While the exterior changes were subtle, the front fascia featured a frameless grille with a curved wing bar, creating a distinctive visual connection with the headlights. The black plastic cladding around the wheel arches incorporated aerodynamic air inlets and outlets, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing road noise. The Crosstrek Hybrid was available in Sport and Limited trims, with the Limited Hybrid offering a thoughtful balance of rugged utility and refined comfort. The interior maintained Subaru's straightforward design philosophy, with soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The gray StarTex seats with orange contrast stitching added a subtle design flourish, while chrome-trimmed power window switches provided an upscale accent. The Limited Hybrid also included features like a heated steering wheel and an optional power moonroof, contributing to an airy atmosphere.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. The entry-level engine was a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with a mild hybrid system, producing 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid version of this engine delivered 543 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The V8 option, sourced from BMW, was a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter engine, generating 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque in SE and Autobiography models, and 606 horsepower in the Range Rover SV. The SV could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 162 mph. Despite its size, the Range Rover prioritized comfort and refinement over agility, offering excellent ride quality and body control. Off-road capabilities were ensured by features like a two-speed transfer case, Terrain Response drive modes, and height-adjustable air suspension, providing 11.6 inches of ground clearance and the ability to wade through 35.4 inches of water.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine with a 118-horsepower traction motor, resulting in a total system output of 194 horsepower. This made the hybrid the fastest Crosstrek to date, with 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, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 36 mpg. Subaru's AWD system, combined with the X-Mode traction management system, ensured capable performance on various terrains. The Crosstrek's steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and body lean was reduced compared to previous models.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover offered versatile seating configurations, with three-row models accommodating seven passengers and two-row models seating five. Headroom was ample across all rows, and the long-wheelbase version provided an impressive 48 inches of second-row legroom. Cargo space was limited with the third row in place, offering 11 cubic feet, but expanded to 40.7 cubic feet with the third row folded and 83.5 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The split tailgate and air suspension facilitated loading and unloading. Standard features included three-zone automatic climate control, with options for four-zone climate control and additional comfort features. The Range Rover's towing capacity reached 8,200 pounds, comparable to other luxury SUVs in its class.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. With 18.6 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 50.6 cubic feet with the rear row folded, it provided practical storage options. The gas tank remained at 16.6 gallons, allowing for an impressive range of up to 597 miles. Rear-seat legroom measured 36.7 inches, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. While front storage was limited, the Crosstrek Hybrid featured a wireless charging pad, cupholders, and door pockets for convenience.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover came equipped with a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, while a 35-speaker Meridian audio system was available on higher trims. The Pivi Pro infotainment system, though improved, suffered from a lack of physical controls, making it less user-friendly. The natural-language voice recognition system helped mitigate some of these issues, allowing for easy control of certain functions.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its software lagged behind competitors. The system was slow and prone to fingerprints, with many controls relegated to the touchscreen. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing an alternative to the Starlink software. The Limited Hybrid trim included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, offering configurable displays, though navigation integration was limited.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover included standard driver-assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system. While the driver aids performed well, the lack of advanced semi-autonomous systems was notable. Crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of publication.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid benefited from Subaru's EyeSight Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking. While the 2025 Crosstrek received mixed ratings from IIHS, NHTSA awarded it five stars for overall safety. The 2026 model had not yet been rated by either organization.