Compare the2023 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2023 Volvo XC60

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Crosstrek Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The XC60 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Crosstrek Hybrid. But it costs extra on the XC60.

Both the Crosstrek Hybrid and the XC60 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 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 Volvo XC60:

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 front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Crosstrek Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 126 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XC60 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Crosstrek Hybrid 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the XC60 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Volvo 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 21 points higher than the XC60.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 65 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Subaru higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 30 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Volvo.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 10 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the XC60 running on electricity:

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the XC60 running its gasoline engine:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XC60 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Volvo XC60 (5 to 7). This means the Crosstrek Hybrid produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC60 every 15,000 miles.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The XC60 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XC60’s standard 60 series tires.

The front and rear suspension of the Crosstrek Hybrid uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the XC60’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 1000 pounds less than the Volvo XC60.

The Crosstrek Hybrid is 8.9 inches shorter than the XC60, making the Crosstrek Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 1.8 inches more front headroom and 1.6 inches more front legroom than the XC60.

The front step up height for the Crosstrek Hybrid is 1.5 inches lower than the XC60 (17.5” vs. 19”). The Crosstrek Hybrid’s rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the XC60’s (18” vs. 19.5”).

The engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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 XC60 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Volvo On Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the XC60’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Crosstrek Hybrid has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC60 isn't recommended.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Volvo XC60 by almost four to one during the 2022 model year.