2025 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

$26,560 · Crossover

$29,500 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek excites with rugged, standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and exceptional efficiency, achieving 29 MPG combined. Conversely, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz shouts adventure with a performance edge, boasting 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque from its more powerful engine. While the Crosstrek is the agile choice at 176.4 inches long and offers better mileage (34 MPG highway), the Santa Cruz dominates in presence, measuring 195.7 inches long and having a higher starting MSRP of $29,500 compared to the Subaru's $26,560. This contrast pits efficiency and AWD agility against raw power and utility; the Crosstrek delivers 152 hp while the Santa Cruz packs 39 more horsepower, appealing to very different driving souls seeking their next adventure companion.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Subaru Crosstrek

The Crosstrek wins for commuters due to its superior 29 MPG combined fuel economy rating.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz offers a larger overall footprint and higher power delivery, making it more capable for varied family hauling tasks.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz provides significantly more power, delivering 191 hp versus the Crosstrek's 152 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Subaru Crosstrek

The Crosstrek presents superior financial value with a significantly lower starting MSRP of $26,560.

Choose the Subaru Crosstrek if...

You prioritize running costs and excellent mileage, evidenced by its 29 MPG combined rating.
Standard all-weather capability is essential, as the Crosstrek includes All-Wheel Drive.
You prefer a more compact vehicle, with a length of only 176.4 inches for easier city maneuvering.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...

You require more thrust on the highway, benefiting from 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque.
You desire a vehicle with more road presence, as the Santa Cruz is substantially longer at 195.7 inches.
A traditional 8-speed automatic transmission is preferred over a continuously variable transmission.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Subaru Crosstrek	Hyundai Santa Cruz
Length	176.4"	195.7"
Width	70.9"	75.0"
Height	62.8"	66.7"
Wheelbase	105.1"	118.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	flat 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	152 hp @ 6000 rpm	191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	145 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/34 MPG	22/30 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	29 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	448.2/564.4 mi.	389.4/531.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.6 gal.	17.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Push Button Start	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	4 months	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	4	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Front Head Room	39.8 in.	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	42.9 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.8 in.	57.7 in.
Front Hip Room	55.1 in.	54.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—

Rearseats

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	39.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.5 in.	36.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.3 in.	56.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.2 in.	53.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P225/60R17	245/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—

Warranty

Feature	Subaru	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek and 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz.

How significant is the performance gap between the two crossovers?

The performance difference is quite noticeable; the 2026 Santa Cruz generates 191 horsepower, which is 39 more than the 2025 Crosstrek’s 152 horsepower. This translates to noticeably quicker acceleration in the Hyundai.

Which vehicle offers better efficiency for daily driving?

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is the clear winner on fuel economy, achieving 29 MPG combined and 34 MPG on the highway, compared to the Santa Cruz's 25 MPG combined rating.

Does the difference in MSRP reflect a difference in standard equipment?

Yes, the Santa Cruz has a $29,500 MSRP while the Crosstrek starts at $26,560. The extra cost in the Santa Cruz accounts for the more powerful engine setup and slightly larger dimensions.

How does the standard drivetrain affect traction capability?

The Crosstrek comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, offering better inherent traction in adverse conditions, whereas the base Santa Cruz utilizes Front Wheel Drive.

Is the Santa Cruz significantly larger than the Crosstrek?

Yes, the Santa Cruz is larger across all dimensions; it is nearly 3 inches wider (75.0 vs 70.9 inches) and over 19 inches longer (195.7 vs 176.4 inches) than the Crosstrek.

Which transmission type will I experience in each vehicle?

The Subaru utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT), optimized for efficiency, while the Hyundai pairs its power with a more conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.