Compare the2023 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

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 Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Crosstrek and the Corolla Cross 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, 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 is safer than the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid:

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

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 Hybrid doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Crosstrek CVT’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Crosstrek has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (16.6 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better traction, the Crosstrek has larger tires than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (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 Hybrid’s standard 65 series tires.

The Crosstrek 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 Corolla Cross Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Crosstrek to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Subaru Crosstrek may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 200 pounds less than the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Crosstrek CVT (except Manual) has a liquid-filled front engine mount. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Corolla Cross Hybrid uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The Crosstrek has 6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla Cross Hybrid (100.9 vs. 94.9).

The Crosstrek has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 2.5 inches more front hip room, 4 inches more front shoulder room, 4.5 inches more rear legroom, 11.4 inches more rear hip room and 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla Cross Hybrid.

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

The engine in the Crosstrek is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Corolla Cross Hybrid. 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’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Crosstrek Base). The Corolla Cross Hybrid doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Crosstrek Limited’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.