2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2025 Ford Bronco

The 2025 Ford Bronco successfully captured the essence of its 1960s predecessor while avoiding an overly retro design. Its boxy shape was modernized with rounded corners, and the front featured a wide rectangular grille flanked by round headlamps. The Bronco offered multiple top options, including soft, hard, or both, and removable doors for an open-air experience. The Sasquatch package added 17-inch aluminum wheels with 35-inch all-terrain tires, enhancing off-road capability and giving the Bronco a more aggressive appearance. With seven different versions available, including the high-performance Bronco Raptor, the Bronco catered to a wide range of buyers. The Big Bend model, equipped with the Sasquatch package, was particularly appealing with its Velocity Blue Metallic color.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary improvements seen in previous generations. The 2026 model retained the changes introduced in 2024, including new sheet metal and chassis construction. The front featured a frameless grille with a curved wing bar connecting the headlights, creating a distinctive look. The black plastic cladding around the wheel arches included aerodynamic air inlets and outlets, improving fuel efficiency and reducing road noise. The Crosstrek Hybrid was available in two trims, Sport and Limited, and offered a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort. The interior featured soft-touch surfaces, durable plastics, and distinctive orange contrast stitching on the gray StarTex seats. The Limited Hybrid added a heated steering wheel and an optional power moonroof for an airy atmosphere.

The 2025 Ford Bronco offered two main engine options, with the Bronco Raptor featuring a unique, more powerful engine. The base 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for city and highway driving. The optional 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine increased output to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, though it did not enhance towing capacity. The Bronco Raptor, however, boasted a 4,500-pound towing capacity. The standard seven-speed manual transmission included a low gear for off-road crawling, while a 10-speed automatic was optional on most trims and standard on others. The Sasquatch package, with its locking differentials and large tires, significantly improved off-road performance. All Bronco models came with four-wheel drive, and certain trims featured an advanced 4WD system with an Automatic mode for challenging weather conditions.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine paired with a 118-hp traction motor, resulting in 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, 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 estimate of 36 mpg. Subaru's AWD system, with a mechanical connection, provided better capability on varied terrain compared to electric AWD systems. The X-Mode traction management system, standard on all Crosstreks, offered specific settings for different conditions and included hill-descent control.

The 2025 Ford Bronco offered ample space for passengers, with the two-door model providing room for two and the four-door model offering more rear-seat space. The Sasquatch package's big tires and upgraded suspension resulted in a high step up into the cabin, though optional steps were available. The two-door Bronco provided 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 53.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The four-door model offered 38.3 cubic feet with seats up and 83 cubic feet with seats folded, though the hard top reduced these figures slightly. The Bronco featured numerous storage cubbies, including a smartphone tray and MOLLE mounting points. The four-door model also included dedicated rear-seat air conditioning vents and additional insulation for reduced road noise.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon previous iterations by offering more horsepower and cargo space. The 2026 model provided 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 50.6 cubic feet with the rear row folded. The gas tank remained at 16.6 gallons, allowing for an impressive range of up to 597 miles. The Crosstrek Hybrid offered 36.7 inches of rear-seat legroom, significantly more than some competitors. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray housing a wireless charging pad and two cupholders. Deep door pockets and a standard-size glove compartment provided additional storage options.

The 2025 Ford Bronco came standard with a 12-inch touchscreen running Sync 4 infotainment software, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A seven-speaker audio system was standard, with an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system available on higher trims. A second 12-inch screen served as a digital gauge cluster, customizable with various modes. The Bronco offered five G.O.A.T. modes, with additional modes available on certain trims, each with its own animation on the digital gauge cluster.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, though the software was slow and prone to fingerprints. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with physical buttons for volume, tuning, and HVAC controls. The Limited Hybrid included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, configurable with various displays. However, the navigation map could not display Google Maps when using phone projection.

The 2025 Ford Bronco offered the Co-Pilot360 safety suite as an option on the base trim and standard on higher trims. Features included blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Post-collision braking, hill-start assist, and hill-descent control were standard. The Bronco received top "Good" ratings from the IIHS for several crash tests but only a "Marginal" rating for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Bronco four out of five stars for frontal crash safety and three out of five for rollover testing.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid did not receive a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to lower scores in certain crash tests. However, the NHTSA awarded the 2025 Crosstrek five out of five stars for overall safety. The Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and a rearview camera.