The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid provides the model’s smallest utility car what it’s lengthy wanted: higher gasoline mileage. It’s a compact all-wheel-drive crossover hatchback that comes with all of Subaru’s conventional off-road chops, with the additional advantage of considerably higher gas effectivity. It’s rated at 36 mpg mixed versus the 29 mpg EPA mixed quantity for the standard Crosstrek, with both 2.0- or 2.5-liter engine. (The butch Crosstrek Wilderness trim is available in at 27 mpg mixed.)
Courtesy of Subaru
Subaru calls the Crosstrek a subcompact, to place it under the Forester compact crossover. That designation will startle anybody who drives a subcompact from the Nineties or 2000s, however bracket creep as a consequence of vastly harder crash checks has affected each car—and other than the Impreza hatchback (a Crosstrek minus the elevate and the off-road trim), it’s the smallest automotive Subaru will promote you.
After two earlier, considerably compromised makes an attempt, the corporate ultimately is including hybrid choices to 2 of its hottest strains: the Forester final yr, now the Crosstrek. There have been two earlier “hybrid” Crosstrek fashions, one for every of the 2 earlier generations. The 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid was solely a mild-hybrid system very very like Honda’s: the electrical motor added torque and changed the starter and generator, however couldn’t propel the automotive itself in any significant approach. Switching among the many engine, motor, or each additionally wasn’t very easy.
Then got here the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, really a plug-in hybrid with an underwhelming 17 miles of electric-only vary. It was basically a compliance automotive for a maker whose gas economic system has by no means been significantly good, and it was accessible solely in restricted markets. In contrast to the gentle hybrid, which was Subaru’s personal design, the PHEV used parts combined and matched from varied Toyota hybrids and plug-in hybrids.
Now now we have a correct, typical hybrid mannequin of the Crosstrek. On a brand-hosted take a look at drive of greater than 100 miles in Oregon and Washington states, it proved the smoothest, quietest, and nicest Crosstrek. The gas economic system of 38.1 mpg over that distance is probably not consultant, because the drive mixed 25 miles on forest trails with greater than 90 miles of largely freeway driving—and a 1,900-foot decline in altitude. Hybrids do effectively after they’re going downhill.
Actual, Mechanical AWD
The Crosstrek Hybrid’s 1.1-kilowatt-hour liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery is positioned beneath the rear ground, packaged in order that it solely cuts cargo quantity incrementally. The hybrid Crosstrek retains the usual automotive’s 16.6-gallon gas tank, giving it a variety of just about 600 miles. That contrasts to most hybrid SUVs, which have smaller tanks.
The battery powers a two-motor hybrid system that fully replaces the chain-driven constantly variable transmission (CVT) in different Crosstreks. Subaru’s normal 2.5-liter flat-4 engine has been closely tailored. At decrease engine revs, torque from the electrical motor compensates for an absence of energy. One motor replaces the starter and generator of a standard combustion engine, and makes use of overrun engine energy to recharge the battery. The opposite powers the wheels via the middle differential and in addition prices the battery by way of regenerative braking.