2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged and customizable design, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance between the stubby 90 and the visually heavy 130. Despite its unconventional appearance, the Defender's appeal lay in its robust aesthetic and extensive customization options. The test vehicle, a Defender 130 X, featured a range of upgrades, including the Extended Black Exterior Pack and premium interior materials, bringing its MSRP to $106,092. However, the Gondwana Stone paint and orange brake calipers were not the most flattering combination, and the 20-inch wheels seemed delicate. Inside, the Defender X boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, maintaining an industrial yet quality-focused cabin design.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the model's tradition of evolutionary improvements, with the third generation offering subtle design updates. The most noticeable change was the front fascia, featuring a frameless grille and aerodynamic enhancements for improved efficiency. The Crosstrek Hybrid was available in Sport and Limited trims, with the Limited Hybrid tested. Inside, the cabin balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, featuring soft-touch surfaces and durable materials. The gray StarTex seats with orange stitching added a distinctive touch, while chrome-trimmed power window switches provided an upscale accent. The Limited Hybrid also included a heated steering wheel and an optional power moonroof.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, paired with a mild-hybrid system, delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, provided robust acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and featured an adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes. Off-road capabilities were impressive, with 11.4 inches of ground clearance and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. However, the Defender's on-road performance was less thrilling, with a heavy curb weight and slow steering. Fuel economy was below expectations, with an observed 16.2 mpg.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine paired with a 118-hp traction motor, producing 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 for engine start/stop and regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 mpg, falling short of the EPA's 36 mpg estimate. Subaru's AWD system, combined with X-Mode traction management, provided capable off-road performance. The 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 Defender 130 offered three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. Visibility was excellent, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. A panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row created an open and airy feel. Storage space was plentiful in the front, but less accommodating in the rear. The Defender 130's third-row seat was heated and comfortable, with a side-hinged cargo door providing access to 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 89 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon previous iterations with more horsepower and cargo space. The trunk offered 18.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 50.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The gas tank remained a generous 16.6 gallons, allowing for long-distance travel. Rear-seat space was ample, with 36.7 inches of legroom, surpassing competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray for wireless charging and deep door pockets.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Previous issues with Pivi Pro were resolved, with improved response and accuracy. The system excelled in voice command accuracy and user experience, though it struggled with specific music requests. The Defender also included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and parking ease.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the infotainment system lagged behind competitors. The software was slow, and the screen was prone to fingerprints. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, many controls were touchscreen-based, which was less convenient. The Limited Hybrid featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a configurable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though it lacked integration with Google Maps.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was equipped with numerous driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keep assist was decisive, though it occasionally misinterpreted road markings. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, as low-volume models like the Defender are typically not tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid received mixed safety ratings, with the IIHS awarding it a Marginal score in the moderate overlap front crash test. NHTSA, however, gave it a five-star overall safety rating. Subaru's EyeSight ADAS included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking, though it lacked a semi-autonomous driving system.