Compare the2023 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The Crosstrek Hybrid 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 Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Crosstrek Hybrid and the Outlander PHEV 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Outlander PHEV has not been tested, yet.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Outlander PHEV’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

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

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 Mitsubishi vehicles. With 35 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Subaru higher than Mitsubishi.

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 Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Outlander PHEV running its gasoline engine (36 city/35 hwy vs. 25 city/27 hwy).

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 Outlander PHEV’s standard 60 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Outlander PHEV’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Outlander PHEV (8.7 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Crosstrek Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

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

For excellent aerodynamics, the Crosstrek Hybrid has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander PHEV has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 1.4 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room and .7 inches more rear hip room than the Outlander PHEV.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Outlander PHEV with its rear seat up (15.9 vs. 11.7 cubic feet).

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

The engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Outlander PHEV. 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 Outlander PHEV 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 Outlander PHEV prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s front power windows 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 Outlander PHEV’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

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 Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Mitsubishi Connect can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’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 Outlander PHEV’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Crosstrek Hybrid has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL.

A built-in pollen filter removes pollen, exhaust fumes and other pollutants from the Crosstrek Hybrid’s passenger compartment. This helps prevent lung and/or sinus irritation which can trigger allergies or asthma. The Outlander PHEV’s air conditioner doesn’t offer a filtration system.

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

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by almost four to one during 2022.