Compare the2022 Toyota Highlander HybridVS 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The Highlander Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Highlander Hybrid (except LE/XLE/Bronze) offers an optional Bird’s Eye View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Crosstrek Hybrid only offers a rear monitor.

Compared to metal, the Highlander Hybrid’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid has a metal gas tank.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the Crosstrek Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid weighs 613 to 878 pounds more than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

	Highlander Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Leg Forces (l/r)	321/243 lbs.	252/363 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	28.4%	44.6%
Neck Stress	179 lbs.	195 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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid:

	Highlander Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	55	138
Chest Movement	.3 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	79 G’s	196 G’s
Hip Force	300 lbs.	346 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	114	303
Spine Acceleration	37 G’s	58 G’s
Hip Force	152 lbs.	428 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	49 G’s
Hip Force	664 lbs.	824 lbs.

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

Warranty

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander Hybrid for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Crosstrek Hybrid.

There are almost 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Highlander Hybrid third among upper midsize suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Crosstrek Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 13th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 24th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 17th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Subaru is ranked 8th.

Engine

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 95 more horsepower (243 vs. 148) than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is faster than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid:

	Highlander Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.2 sec	5.7 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88 MPH	83 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Highlander Hybrid has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Crosstrek Hybrid (17.1 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Highlander Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid (6 to 7). This means the Highlander Hybrid produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Crosstrek Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Highlander Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	11.2 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Highlander Hybrid has larger tires than the Crosstrek Hybrid (235/65R18 vs. 225/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum has standard 20-inch wheels. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Highlander Hybrid has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Crosstrek Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander Hybrid’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the Crosstrek Hybrid (112.2 inches vs. 104.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander Hybrid is 4.3 inches wider in the front and 4.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Passenger Space

The Highlander Hybrid has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Crosstrek Hybrid can only carry 5.

The Highlander Hybrid has 40.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Crosstrek Hybrid (141.3 vs. 100.7).

The Highlander Hybrid has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear headroom, 4.3 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more rear hip room and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Crosstrek Hybrid.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander Hybrid’s middle and third row seats recline. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area provides more volume than the Crosstrek Hybrid.

	Highlander Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	15.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.3 cubic feet	43.1 cubic feet

The Highlander Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s in almost every dimension:

	Highlander Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	17.8”/48”/80.7”	n.a./28.9”/63.1”
Max Width	50”	53”
Min Width	45.8”	43”
Height	31”	30”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Highlander Hybrid has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Highlander Hybrid Bronze/Limited/Platinum, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Highlander Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s (3500 vs. 1000 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Control (TSC) on the Highlander Hybrid uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Highlander Hybrid’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Crosstrek Hybrid has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Highlander Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Highlander Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Crosstrek Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Highlander Hybrid Bronze/Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the Highlander Hybrid’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Highlander Hybrid to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Highlander Hybrid Bronze/Limited/Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the Crosstrek Hybrid offer available heated front seats. The Highlander Hybrid Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Highlander Hybrid’s 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. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Highlander Hybrid and the Crosstrek Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Highlander Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE/Bronze/Limited/Platinum has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Highlander Hybrid Bronze/Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Model Availability

The Highlander Hybrid is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Subaru Crosstrek by almost two to one during the 2021 model year.