2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid vs 2025 Lincoln Navigator

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator presented a more refined aesthetic, moving away from its previous flashy design to embrace a subtler elegance. The SUV maintained its sparkle but avoided gaudiness, especially with the Jet Appearance or Black Label Special Edition packages, which featured blacked-out wheels and details, leaving the illuminated star logo and light bars to make a statement. The overall design was simpler and cleaner, with new 24-inch wheel designs and a striking Sunrise Copper paint option exclusive to Black Label models. Inside, the Navigator adopted a minimalist cabin design, enhancing the perception of quality despite some ergonomic challenges. The 48-inch panoramic display and Revel speaker grilles added a touch of sophistication, although some interior elements like the tweeter speaker housings and door defogger vents appeared less refined.

In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued its evolutionary improvements with a design that subtly updated its appearance. 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 aerodynamic air inlets and outlets, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid balanced rugged utility with refined comfort, maintaining Subaru's straightforward design philosophy. Material quality was consistent, with soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics. The gray StarTex seats with orange contrast stitching added a subtle design flourish, while chrome-trimmed power window switches provided an upscale accent.

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, it offered a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package. The Navigator's 4WD system provided 8.9 inches of ground clearance. During a test drive near San Diego, the Navigator achieved an observed fuel economy of 20.3 mpg, surpassing the EPA rating of 17 mpg in combined driving. Despite its three-ton weight, the Navigator moved swiftly, with various driving modes adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. However, the 24-inch wheels and 285/40 tires contributed to a rough ride quality, transmitting road shock into the cabin. The steering wheel's size and shape felt awkward, but the Navigator offered good grip and body motion control on mountain roads. The brakes were effective, and the SUV excelled on smooth freeways with its quiet and composed ride.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine and a 118-hp traction motor, producing a total system output of 194 horsepower. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with quicker and 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 a test drive, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 mpg, slightly below the EPA estimate of 36 mpg. The hybrid's AWD system, with a mechanical connection, offered better capability on variable terrain compared to electric AWD systems. Subaru's X-Mode traction management system, standard on all Crosstreks, provided specific settings for different terrains and included hill-descent control. 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 2025 Lincoln Navigator excelled in interior room and cargo capacity, offering luxury features throughout. The front seats featured Perfect Position seats with up to 24-way power adjustment, wrapped in leather and equipped with heating and ventilation. Black Label models offered 30-way adjustment and massage functionality. The Lincoln Rejuvenate system provided stress relief through scent, sound, imagery, and massage. Second-row captain's chairs were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, with a dual-touchscreen entertainment system. However, knee room in the second row was tighter than expected due to thick front seats. The third-row seat offered good leg support but limited knee room. The Navigator L provided ample cargo space, with a new 40/20/40-split third row for flexibility. The Split Gate tailgate design allowed for versatile cargo access, although reaching items near the third-row seatbacks was challenging. The Navigator L offered expanded cargo volumes compared to the standard-length model.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon previous iterations by offering more horsepower and cargo space. The hybrid model did not have a high trunk floor, providing 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space 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 a potential range of 597 miles. The Crosstrek Hybrid offered 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 housing a wireless charging pad and two cupholders. Deep door pockets and a standard-size glove compartment provided additional storage options.

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator featured the Lincoln Digital Experience infotainment system with a 48-inch panoramic display and an 11.1-inch center touchscreen. The system integrated Google Built-in and Alexa Built-in, offering an intuitive interface. However, some controls, like air vent adjustments, required navigating the touchscreen, which could be distracting while driving. The Google Assistant worked well for typical commands but struggled with specific requests. The 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system provided a satisfying listening experience. Additional tech included Phone As A Key, allowing smartphone-based vehicle access, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist for easier trailer maneuvering. The Navigator lacked a head-up display and digital rearview mirror, which could be useful for a fully loaded vehicle.

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 a tendency to attract fingerprints. Many controls were touchscreen-based, which could be frustrating. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing alternatives to the Starlink software. Physical buttons were available for volume, tuning, defroster settings, and HVAC temperature controls. The Crosstrek Limited Hybrid featured a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, which could display navigation maps, although not Google Maps from phone projections.

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator offered a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Unique features included intersection assist, evasive steering assist, and Turn Signal View. BlueCruise provided hands-free driving on approved roads, with the latest version offering driver-signaled lane changes and in-lane repositioning. The Navigator had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and automatic emergency braking. The 2025 Crosstrek received a Marginal rating in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and an Acceptable rating in the side-impact test, prompting Subaru to add side-curtain airbags to the rear seats. The NHTSA awarded the 2025 Crosstrek a five-star overall safety rating, but the 2026 model had not yet been rated.