2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV demeanor with its third-generation design. It featured a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, creating an imposing front end. The body sides were adorned with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite these updates, the styling felt more like an evolution than a revolution, resembling a facelift rather than a complete redesign. The Q5 offered various trim levels, including Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with advanced lighting options like LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights. The model was available in both standard crossover SUV and coupe-like Q5 Sportback body styles, with the latter offering a sleeker profile at the expense of cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance variant stood out with matte chrome trim, larger air intakes, and quad exhaust tips, emphasizing its sporty nature. Inside, the Q5's interior was a mix of top-notch materials and a somewhat discordant design, with a focus on piling on details for a distinctive look. The dashboard and door panels featured opposing curves, accommodating a main touchscreen and haptic controls. While the design was busy, the materials were of high quality, with standard leather seating surfaces and available Alcantara trim in the SQ5.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary improvements seen in previous generations. The third-generation model carried forward changes from 2024, including new sheet metal and chassis construction. The most noticeable update was the frameless grille with a curved wing bar, creating a visual connection with the headlights. The black plastic cladding around the wheel arches featured integrated aerodynamic air inlets and outlets, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing road noise. The Crosstrek Hybrid was available in two trims, Sport and Limited, with the Limited Hybrid offering a thoughtful balance of rugged utility and refined comfort. The cabin maintained Subaru's straightforward design philosophy, prioritizing function over flash. Material quality was consistent, with soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The gray StarTex seats with orange contrast stitching added a subtle design flourish. The Limited Hybrid included features like a heated steering wheel and an optional power moonroof. Overall, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a practical and comfortable interior, with a focus on durability and functionality.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5 boasted a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The standard Q5's output was competitive for a compact crossover, offering slightly less horsepower than an Acura RDX but more torque. The SQ5 nearly matched the output of a Mercedes-AMG GLC43, with a manufacturer-estimated zero to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. However, both models experienced turbo lag and rough shifts, affecting their overall performance. The Q5 featured a steel-spring suspension with passive frequency selective damping, while the SQ5 had air suspension with adaptive damping for sportier tuning. The handling was competent but not sporty, with a balance between damping and body control. The Q5 also offered Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, enhancing its capability on dirt roads.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured all-wheel drive (AWD) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine with a 118-hp 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. The Crosstrek's AWD system, with a mechanical connection, provided better capability on variable terrain compared to electric AWD systems. Subaru's X-Mode traction management system further enhanced off-road performance, offering specific settings for different conditions. The steering feel was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and the Crosstrek exhibited less body lean than previous models.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model. Headroom and legroom in both rows were nearly identical, providing adequate space compared to rivals. The Q5 featured a sliding and reclining 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The 2025 model offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, surpassing the Lexus NX and Mercedes-Benz GLC but falling short of the Acura RDX and BMW X3. Standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats, with additional options like a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof on higher trims. The Q5 also boasted a towing capacity of up to 4,400 pounds, exceeding the capabilities of some competitors.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon previous iterations by offering more horsepower and cargo space. The hybrid model provided 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 the same size as the all-gas models, allowing for an impressive range of 597 miles between fill-ups. The Crosstrek Hybrid offered ample rear-seat space, with 36.7 inches of legroom, surpassing the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage options were limited, with a small tray for a wireless charging pad and two cupholders. Despite these limitations, the Crosstrek Hybrid provided a practical and spacious interior for its class.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen as standard, with a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger on the top Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. Premium Plus models added four USB-C ports and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, offered a user-friendly interface, although the digital instrument cluster had reduced functionality. An available head-up display provided additional information, and the Dynamic Interaction Light added visual cues for the driver. Other tech features included digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the infotainment system was less competitive compared to rivals. The software was slow and prone to lag, with too many controls reliant on touchscreen buttons. 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. Despite these features, the infotainment system's shortcomings detracted from the overall tech experience.

The 2025 Audi Q5 offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, parking sensors, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. An exit alert feature used interior ambient lighting to warn occupants of oncoming vehicles or cyclists. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of release, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid received mixed safety ratings. The IIHS did not award it a Top Safety Pick designation due to Marginal and Acceptable scores in crash tests. However, the NHTSA gave the 2025 Crosstrek 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. Despite lacking a semi-autonomous driving system, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a solid array of safety features.