Compare the2023 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2023 Lexus UX

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

Both the Crosstrek Hybrid and the UX 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 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 Hybrid is safer than the Lexus UX:

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 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is safer than the Lexus UX:

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Crosstrek Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 101 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The UX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

There are almost 3 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Crosstrek Hybrid’s warranty.

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 Hybrid’s reliability 22 points higher than the UX.

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

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the UX:

The Crosstrek Hybrid can travel with zero emissions for 17 miles. The UX can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (13.2 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Crosstrek Hybrid stops shorter than the UX:

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

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

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 10.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (100.8 vs. 90.4).

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

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

The power windows standard on both the Crosstrek Hybrid and the UX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Crosstrek Hybrid is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The UX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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

Insurance will cost less for the Crosstrek Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Crosstrek Hybrid will cost $115 to $1115 less than the UX over a five-year period.

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

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Lexus UX by almost 13 to one during the 2022 model year.