Compare the2026 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Crosstrek has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Crosstrek. But it costs extra on the Corolla Cross.

The Crosstrek Limited Hybrid offers an optional Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Corolla Cross only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Subaru Crosstrek’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Toyota Corolla Cross does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Crosstrek and the Corolla Cross have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Crosstrek is safer than the Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Crosstrek	Corolla Cross
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22.4%	33.6%
Neck Stress	267 lbs.	297 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	265/291 lbs.	324/279 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	170	330
Neck Injury Risk	28.8%	32.9%
Leg Forces (l/r)	291/273 lbs.	592/372 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Crosstrek is safer than the Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Crosstrek	Corolla Cross
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Hip Force	297 lbs.	330 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	116	137

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Crosstrek’s reliability 11 points higher than the Corolla Cross.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Toyota is ranked third.

Engine

The Crosstrek’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 11 more horsepower (180 vs. 169) and 27 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 151) than the Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 25 more horsepower (194 vs. 169) than the Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Subaru Crosstrek 4 cyl. is faster than the Toyota Corolla Cross:

	Crosstrek	Corolla Cross
Zero to 60 MPH	7.9 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16.1 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88.6 MPH	83.1 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek gets better mileage than the Corolla Cross:

			MPG
Crosstrek
	AWD	2.5 flat-4 Hybrid	36 city/36 hwy
Corolla Cross
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/33 hwy
	AWD	L 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/32 hwy
		LE/XLE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/31 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Crosstrek Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Crosstrek has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross FWD’s standard fuel tank (16.6 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Crosstrek has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross AWD’s standard fuel tank (16.6 vs. 13.2 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Crosstrek higher (6 out of 10) than the Toyota Corolla Cross (5). This means the Crosstrek produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Corolla Cross every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Crosstrek’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Corolla Cross:

	Crosstrek	Crosstrek Hybrid	Corolla Cross
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	12.6 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.2 inches	11.2 inches	11.1 inches

The Crosstrek’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Corolla Cross are solid, not vented.

The Crosstrek stops shorter than the Corolla Cross:

	Crosstrek	Corolla Cross
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Crosstrek has larger tires than the Corolla Cross (225/60R17 vs. 215/65R17).

The Crosstrek’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Corolla Cross L/LE’s standard 65 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Crosstrek has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Corolla Cross 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Crosstrek has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Crosstrek flat and controlled during cornering. The Corolla Cross 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Crosstrek Wilderness’ wheelbase is 1 inch longer than on the Corolla Cross (104.9 inches vs. 103.9 inches). The Crosstrek’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Corolla Cross (105.1 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

The Crosstrek Limited handles at .81 G’s, while the Corolla Cross XLE AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Crosstrek Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Corolla Cross LE (27.3 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Wilderness’ turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Corolla Cross’ (34.8 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Corolla Cross (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Crosstrek to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Crosstrek Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.2 inches higher than on the Corolla Cross (9.3 vs. 8.1 inches).

Chassis

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Crosstrek has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Corolla Cross uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The front grille of the Crosstrek uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Crosstrek has 5.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla Cross (100.5 vs. 94.9).

The Crosstrek has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front hip room, 4.1 inches more front shoulder room, 4.5 inches more rear legroom, 11.4 inches more rear hip room and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Cross.

Cargo Capacity

The Crosstrek has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Corolla Cross with its rear seat folded (54.7 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Crosstrek. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Corolla Cross is limited to 1500 pounds. The Crosstrek offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Crosstrek is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Corolla Cross. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 38% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek’s exterior PIN entry system. The Corolla Cross doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Crosstrek has standard Keyless Access and Start that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Corolla Cross LE/XLE offers a Smart Key System.

The Crosstrek’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Corolla Cross’ power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Crosstrek’s variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Corolla Cross L’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

The Crosstrek’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Corolla Cross offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Crosstrek has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Corolla Cross XLE.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Crosstrek as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Toyota Corolla Cross by 90% during 2024.

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