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2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Debuts As New Ford Escape Hybrid Foe

The all-new, third-generation Subaru Crosstrek debuted in 2022, and received a refresh just a couple of years later. In the meantime, two of its rivals – the Ford Bronco Sport and Ford Escape – have also received refreshes, in 2025 and 2023, respectively. While the Escape is already available with a hybrid powertrain, the Bronco Sport hasn’t yet received one, though it is likely to do so in the near future – perhaps as soon as 2027. In the meantime, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek has been revealed, and it’s now equipped with a brand new hybrid powertrain of its own.

A side view of the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid gets the 2.5L Boxer gas engine running on the Atkinson cycle, and when combined with two electric motors, it churns out a combined 194 horsepower. Interestingly, only one of those electric motors actually contributes to that total, while the second is used for operating the starter and doubling as a generator to replenish the battery. It’s mated to a tiny 0.6 kWh battery pack, while an eCVT handles the shifts.

Subaru isn’t ready to reveal estimated fuel economy figures for the Crosstrek Hybrid just yet, but we do know that the new model utilizes a mechanical all-wheel drive setup – unlike some of its rivals – which is notable. Inside the cabin, the electrified crossover is identical to its pure ICE counterpart, equipped with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.6-inch infotainment screen. The presence of the hybrid battery does reduce rear cargo space a tad, as it’s down from 20 cubic feet in the non-hybrid model to 18.6. On the outside, the new Crosstrek Hybrid gets two new exclusive colors, too – Sand Dune Pearl and Citron Yellow Pearl.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is slated to launch in the fall of 2025, which means for now at least, pricing isn’t available. However, it should cost a bit more than the regular Crosstrek, which currently retails for $27,115 in base form.

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.

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Comments

  1. It’s not a foe, it’s in a completely different size class. If a Forester hybrid had debuted, then THAT would be a foe. This is the length of a Bronco Sport, but many claim the BS is a compact. It’s not, only that the feds claim it is based on cargo volume, most of which is not used daily. I’ve given up discussing that one.

    Reply
  2. Guess that’s my next replacement for my Escape hybrid. Ford plans to drop the cheaply made Escape soon, so now I can finally get another hybrid with much higher quality and a better price than A plan. Goodbye to Ford. At the rate Ford is going , they will continue to drop vehicles and only sell F150s and large SUVs. Lincoln will be dropped too since they only sell four similar SUVs that are all boring and ugly, and one is Chinese too

    Reply
  3. I dont think Lesbians buy the Escape PHEV so how can it be direct competition?

    Reply

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