2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2026 Honda Passport

The 2026 Honda Passport was a striking presence on the road, characterized by its extra-large proportions and blocky dimensions that embodied the modern rugged SUV aesthetic. Its design featured a nearly flat hood and a blunt nose, enhancing its approach angle, while bracket-shaped amber running lights and a thin hood scoop added distinctive touches. The Passport's profile, with a blacked-out D-pillar and large tinted rear-quarter window, drew inspiration from a backpack, though it also bore resemblance to models like the pre-2024 Chevrolet Traverse and Land Rover Discovery. Fun features like nearly invisible rock sliders and a scratch-resistant roof panel for leaning equipment added to its appeal. The rear showcased a blocky tailgate with a two-tone design and standard roof rails, completing its robust look. Inside, the Passport offered a straightforward interior across its three trim levels, with the TrailSport model's blend of synthetic leather and cloth upholstery being particularly visually appealing.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the model's tradition of evolutionary improvements, maintaining its attractive design with subtle updates. The most noticeable change was the frameless grille with a curved wing bar that connected visually with the headlights, giving the front fascia a unique look. The Crosstrek Hybrid was available in two trims, Sport and Limited, and featured a cabin that balanced rugged utility with refined comfort. The interior design was straightforward, with soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics in key areas. The gray StarTex seats with orange contrast stitching added a distinctive touch, though the material wasn't the most breathable. Chrome-trimmed power window switches and "Hybrid"-stitched floor mats were upscale accents, while features like a heated steering wheel and optional power moonroof enhanced comfort.

The 2026 Honda Passport, particularly in its TrailSport trims, was engineered for both on-road and off-road performance. It featured improved approach and departure angles, skid plates, and 18-inch wheels across all trims for better ride comfort and off-road traction. The TrailSport Elite trim offered a multi-view mode with four camera angles for trail navigation. The Passport came standard with Honda’s i-VTM4 all-wheel drive system and seven drive modes, including new Sport, Trail, and Tow modes. It retained a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine with a slight horsepower increase to 285 hp, paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. The Passport excelled in off-road environments, with its V6 engine providing ample power and the steering offering a satisfying weight. However, its fuel economy remained modest, with an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city, 25 highway, and 21 combined in RTL trim.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid offered a compelling performance with its hybrid powertrain. It combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine with a 118-hp traction motor, delivering 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 functions and regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate of 36 mpg. Subaru's AWD system, combined with X-Mode traction management, provided excellent capability on variable terrain. The Crosstrek's steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and it exhibited less body lean than previous models.

The 2026 Honda Passport boasted a modern interior with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and physical controls, emphasizing simplicity. It excelled in cargo space, offering 44 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 83.8 cubic feet with seats folded, making it the most capacious in its segment. The Passport also provided best-in-class rear-seat legroom and ample storage options, catering to family road trips. TrailSport trims featured a panoramic moonroof, and the TrailSport Elite added ventilated front seats. Optional packages like the Adventure Package included a removable rear cargo shelf.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved on its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. It featured 18.6 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats and 50.6 cubic feet with seats folded. The gas tank remained at 16.6 gallons, allowing for an impressive range of 597 miles. The Crosstrek Hybrid provided ample rear-seat space 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 2026 Honda Passport featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-in, offering Google Maps, Google Assistant, and other apps. It also supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with bright colors and easy navigation. Additional tech included a Wi-Fi hotspot, four USB-C charging ports, and a 10.2-inch digital driver display. The TrailSport Elite trim added a 12-speaker Bose stereo system and the TrailWatch camera system.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but its software was slow and laggy compared to competitors. It was a fingerprint magnet, and many controls were touchscreen-based. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with physical buttons for volume and temperature controls. The Limited Hybrid trim featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though it couldn't display Google Maps from phone projections.

The 2026 Honda Passport was equipped with Honda Safety Sense, including features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also had traffic-jam assist, traffic-sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. The Passport included eight standard airbags. Previous models had mixed crash test results, so updated ratings were awaited.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid had mixed safety ratings, with the IIHS not awarding it a Top Safety Pick due to Marginal and Acceptable scores in crash tests. However, the NHTSA gave it five stars overall. Subaru's EyeSight ADAS included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking. A semi-autonomous driving system was not available.