2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2025 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban maintained its iconic status in the full-size SUV market, balancing a delicate restyling act that preserved its well-known silhouette while introducing modern touches. Chevrolet managed to update the Suburban's front and rear fascias, adding new lighting signatures that brought a dramatic flair without alienating its loyal customer base. The trim lineup remained consistent, offering a range from the basic LS to the luxurious High Country, with options like 24-inch wheels for those seeking a bold statement. Inside, the Suburban saw significant upgrades, including a sophisticated 17.7-inch touchscreen and a more refined dashboard, elevating the interior experience to match its premium price tag.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued Subaru's tradition of evolutionary improvements, building on the changes introduced in 2024. The exterior updates were subtle yet effective, with a frameless grille and aerodynamic enhancements around the wheel arches. The Crosstrek Hybrid was available in two trims, Sport and Limited, each offering a blend of rugged utility and comfort. The interior featured durable materials and thoughtful design touches like orange contrast stitching on the seats. Despite its hybrid powertrain, the Crosstrek Hybrid maintained a spacious cabin with ample rear-seat legroom and a practical cargo area, making it a versatile choice for those seeking efficiency without sacrificing utility.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban offered a range of powerful engine options, starting with a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, standard on the High Country and available on other trims. The standout option was the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax diesel engine, which saw a power increase to 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided impressive fuel efficiency and a smooth driving experience, making it a compelling choice for long-distance travel. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission and available Magnetic Ride Control suspension further enhanced its driving dynamics, offering a comfortable ride despite its size.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid 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 it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with smooth acceleration and improved efficiency. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators for engine start/stop functions and regenerative braking, contributing to its fuel economy. Although our test drive recorded 31 miles per gallon, slightly below the EPA estimate, the Crosstrek Hybrid excelled in off-road capability thanks to its mechanical AWD system and X-Mode traction management. The steering was light yet precise, benefiting from a revised dual-pinion steering rack, while the suspension provided a balanced ride with minimal body lean.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, offering vast passenger room across three rows and a massive cargo capacity. With 41.5 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expandable to 144.7 cubic feet with all seats folded, it outclassed most vehicles on the market. The Suburban also boasted impressive towing capabilities, with a maximum capacity of 8,300 pounds when properly equipped. The diesel engine's fuel efficiency further enhanced its practicality, allowing for extended highway driving without frequent refueling.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more cargo space and maintaining a large gas tank. With 18.6 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 50.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, it provided ample storage for a compact SUV. The Crosstrek Hybrid's 16.6-gallon tank allowed for long-distance travel, while its rear-seat legroom surpassed competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. Although front storage was limited, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered practical features like a wireless charging pad and deep door pockets.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban made significant strides in technology, featuring a 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system complemented by an 11-inch driver information display and an optional 15-inch head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, alongside Google Built-in for seamless integration of Google services. While the user interface was visually appealing, some controls proved unintuitive, requiring a learning curve. Despite these challenges, the Suburban's tech offerings represented a major improvement over previous models.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its infotainment system lagged behind competitors. The software was slow, and the screen was prone to fingerprints, with too 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 featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a configurable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though navigation integration was limited.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review, but the 2024 model received four out of five stars from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included a comprehensive suite of ADAS, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. GM's Super Cruise technology was available on higher trims, offering hands-free driving capabilities.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid received mixed safety ratings, with the 2025 model scoring Marginal in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test but earning five stars from the NHTSA. Subaru's EyeSight ADAS suite was standard, featuring adaptive cruise control and pre-collision braking. While lacking a semi-autonomous driving system, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered robust safety features for peace of mind.