Head-to-head
2026 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2026 Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 wins clearly, 91.1 to 74.4, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Subaru Crosstrek is ahead on price.
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2026 Subaru Crosstrek
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Crosstrek Hybrid …
vs
A2026 Toyota RAV4
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RAV4, is EPA-rated at 43 mpg c…
More Subaru Crosstrek head-to-heads More Toyota RAV4 head-to-heads Every Crosstrek vs RAV4 model year
Verdict · default weights
2026 Toyota RAV4
Clear winThe Toyota RAV4 wins clearly, 91.1 to 74.4, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Subaru Crosstrek is ahead on price.
Tech & comfort 2026 Toyota RAV4 leads by 51.7
Safety 2026 Toyota RAV4 leads by 19.6
Price 2026 Subaru Crosstrek leads by 15.4
| Category · weight | 2026 Subaru Crosstrekoverall 74.4 | 2026 Toyota RAV4overall 91.1 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 100 | 84.6 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 83.8 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 57 | 76.6 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 70.7 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 86.8 | 97.9 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 48.3 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | ||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 74.4 | 91.1 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Subaru Crosstrek: open park-outside / do-not-drive advisory (−25)
Subaru Crosstrek: base trim Base AWD · Toyota RAV4: base trim LE FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Toyota RAV4 wins
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (29 points against 14 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 70).
- It holds 37.8 cu ft behind the second row against 19.9.
Where the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (11 against 44 filed with NHTSA).
- It lists 21 standard driver-assist features against 16.
What they share
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
50 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Subaru CrosstrekBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $26,995 | $31,900 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | Atkinson Cycle |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,498 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.5L 4-cyl. horizontally opposed BOXER | 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder, aluminum alloy block with aluminum alloy cylinder head |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | D-4S |
| Valve configuration | DOHC | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 226 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft | 163 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 47 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 43 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 40 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.700 | — |
| Transmission type | cvt | Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) with sequential shift mode |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in | 8.1 in |
| Overall height | 62.8 in | 66.7 in |
| Overall length | 176 in | 181 in |
| Overall width | 70.9 in | 73 in |
| Wheelbase | 105 in | 106 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 54.7 cu-ft | 70.4 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 19.9 cu-ft | 37.8 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 101 cu-ft | 98.9 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 39.8 in | 37.9 in |
| Second-row headroom | 38 in | 39.5 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42.9 in | 41 in |
| Second-row legroom | 36.5 in | 37.8 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,296 lbs | 3,640 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,296 lbs | 3,640 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 4,920 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson struts, lower L-arms, coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | Double wishbone, coil springs, dampers, stabilizer bar | Multi-link with stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric Power Assisted rack-and-pinion (dual-pinion) | Electric Power Steering (EPS); rack-mounted parallel-type electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 35.4 ft | 36.9 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 315 mm | 305 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | electronic | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | 284 mm | 282 mm |
| Rear brake type | ventilated disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | 17 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | alloy |
| Wheel width | 7 in | 7.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/60R17 99H | 235/65R17 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 16.6 gal | 14.5 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | MySubaru Connected Services | Toyota Safety Connect / Drive Connect / Remote Connect |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | — | 12 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 60 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 56.8 in | 57 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 55.3 in | 56.4 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
102 features · differences first, then sharedSafety25 differ · 31 listed
| Feature | Subaru CrosstrekBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology: Pre-Collision Braking and Throttle Management | std | — |
| EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology includes Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering; Pre-Collision Braking and Throttle Management; Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Keep Assist | std | — |
| Front seat side pelvis/torso airbags | std | — |
| Lane Departure Warning | std | — |
| Lane Keep Assist | std | — |
| Rear-vision camera display | std | — |
| Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor | std | — |
| Subaru Advanced Frontal Airbags | std | — |
| Rear seat side airbags | std | — |
| Trailer-Sway Control (TSC) | — | std |
| Adjustable front shoulder anchors | — | std |
| Auto Vehicle Shut Down | std | — |
| Backup camera with dynamic gridlines | — | std |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | — | std |
| Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control | — | std |
| Driver's knee airbag | std | — |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Brake Hold | — | std |
| Electronic parking brake switch | std | — |
| Front and outboard second-row seatbelts with seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters | — | std |
| High Beam Assist | std | — |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats | — | std |
| Rear Seat Reminder | std | — |
| Rollover sensor | std | — |
| Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS) | — | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 4.0 (TSS 4.0) — Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control w/Eco Mode (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Proactive Driving Assist | std | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | std | std |
| Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) | std | std |
| Star Safety System™ — includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST) | std | std |
| Anti-theft system with engine immobilizer | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with direct pressure readout and individual tire location alert | std | std |
Infotainment16 differ · 16 listed
| Feature | Subaru CrosstrekBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Connect — 1-year trial subscription | — | std |
| Remote Connect — remotely interact with your vehicle through the Toyota app via your smartwatch | — | std |
| Safety Connect® Stolen Vehicle Locator | — | std |
| Wi-Fi Connect — includes AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming (Spotify® – separate subscription required) compatibility. 30-day trial subscription with Unlimited Hotspot Data | — | std |
| Safety Connect® — includes Emergency Assistance Button, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, and Stolen Vehicle Locator | — | std |
| 10.5-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia, six speakers, with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® with 360L with 3-month trial | — | std |
| 2 - 15w front USB-C charging ports and 1 center console media USB-C charging port | — | std |
| 3-spoke steering wheel with audio, voice and vehicle control switches | std | — |
| 4-speaker audio system | std | — |
| Drive Connect — includes Cloud Navigation with Google Points of Interest (POI) data, Intelligent Assistant with Hey, Toyota, and Destination Assist. Capable, subscription required (LE, XLE Premium, SE, Woodland); 1-year trial (Limited, XSE, GR SPORT) | — | std |
| Drive Recorder Dash Cam- integrated drive recording system that utilizes front and rear (front and Panoramic View Monitor if equipped) camera systems for video recording | — | std |
| Dual 7-inch SUBARU Multimedia system with AM/FM stereo; Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming; multi-touch gesture control; rear-vision camera display; SiriusXM All-Access Radio and SiriusXM® with 360L and Travel Link (4-months free); HD Radio®; wired smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™ connectivity | std | — |
| Lineartronic® CVT, including steering wheel paddle-shift control switches and 8-speed manual shift mode | std | — |
| Over-the-air updates | std | — |
| Service Connect — receive personalized maintenance updates and vehicle health reports. 5-year minimum trial subscription | — | std |
| USB-A input/charge port and 3.5 mm auxiliary input jack in front center console | std | — |
Convenience4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Subaru CrosstrekBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Key System on front doors and liftgate with Push Button Start, remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, and panic functions, power liftgate and remote illuminated entry | std | — |
| One 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet in front instrument panel storage tray and one 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet [12v] in cargo area | — | std |
| Power windows with auto up/down and jam protection in all positions | — | std |
| Remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, panic functions, and remote illuminated entry | — | std |
Climate2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Subaru CrosstrekBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dual zone automatic climate control system with dust and pollen filter and rear-seat vents | — | std |
| Dual-zone automatic climate control system with air filtration, voice control and occupant sensors for focused air control | std | — |
Seating3 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Subaru CrosstrekBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 60/40 split fold down rear seatback | std | — |
| 60/40 split reclining fold-flat rear seat with center armrest and cup holders | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed seats; 8-way manual-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support; 6-way manual front passenger seat with seatback pocket | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed seats | std | std |
Interior14 differ · 15 listed
| Feature | Subaru CrosstrekBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12.3-in. digital gauge cluster with customizable settings, integrated multimedia information, odometer, tripmeters, clock, outside temperature, rear passenger seatbelt indicators, fuel gauge, hybrid energy monitor, battery charge meter, fuel economy information, trip timer, shift-position and scheduled maintenance indicators, and warning messages | — | std |
| 4.2-inch combination meter display | std | — |
| Black carbon texture interior trim | std | — |
| Black carpet flooring with driver-side footrest | — | std |
| Chrome painted dash with urethane dash panels and soft touch leather wrapped armrests | — | std |
| Front-door storage pockets with bottle holders | — | std |
| Passenger-side lockable glove compartment | — | std |
| RAV4 branded center console | — | std |
| Removeable front cupholder divider | — | std |
| Turn signal stalk with headlight controls and one-touch 3-blink lane change turn signals | — | std |
| Day/night rearview mirror | — | std |
| Sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors | — | std |
| Carpeted floor mats | std | — |
| Overhead console with maplights, sunglasses storage and Safety Connect® button | — | std |
| Tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel | std | std |
Exterior20 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Subaru CrosstrekBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| LED projector low- and high-beam headlights, daytime running lights (DRLs) and front side marker lamp with chrome accent, Automatic High Beams (AHB) | — | std |
| 17-in. dark gray metallic wheels | — | std |
| 17-inch alloy wheels, dark gray | std | — |
| 225/60 R17 all-season tires | std | — |
| Active grille shutters | std | — |
| Color-keyed roof-mounted shark-fin antenna | — | std |
| Crossbar mounts (fixed position) | std | — |
| Dark-tint privacy glass | std | — |
| Door handles are unpainted black | std | — |
| Dual exhaust | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | — | std |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| Low-profile black roof rails | — | std |
| Privacy glass on all rear side, quarter and liftgate windows | — | std |
| Rain-sensing variable intermittent windshield wipers with de-icer function and intermittent rear window wiper | std | — |
| Side cladding, black | std | — |
| Steering-responsive LED headlights (auto-on with windshield wiper operation) | std | — |
| Rear liftgate window defogger | — | std |
| Rear roof spoiler, body color | std | — |
| Temporary spare tire/wheel | — | std |
Powertrain6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Subaru CrosstrekBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive | std | — |
| Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) | — | std |
| Active Torque Vectoring | std | — |
| Auto Stop-Start system fuel-saving technology | std | — |
| Subaru SI-DRIVE driver-selectable powertrain management system with Intelligent and Sport modes | std | — |
| X-MODE® Dual-Mode System with Hill Descent Control | std | — |
Chassis1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Subaru CrosstrekBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-Pinion Electric Power Steering | std | — |
Cargo3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Subaru CrosstrekBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo area tonneau cover | — | std |
| Cargo tie-down hooks and grocery bag hooks | std | — |
| Height-adjustable rear cargo area deck board | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPSubaru Crosstrek
Safety Signal 70 C
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / — / ★★★★☆
Recalls 3 · 2 critical · 1 filed unfixed
Owner complaints 11 · 1 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (3), Lane Departure (2), Forward Collision Avoidance (2)
Do-not-drive advisory — open NHTSA recall with a consumer advisory.
Top recalls
- critical Suspension 26V685000 · 8 vehicles
- critical Fuel System, Gasoline 26V106000 · 69,870 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V436000 · 541,237 vehicles · filed unfixed
Toyota RAV4
Safety Signal 94 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 44 · 3 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Forward Collision Avoidance (17), Unspecified (14), Electrical System (8)
Top recalls
- minor Engine And Engine Cooling 26V659000 · 30,978 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V571000 · 135 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Subaru CrosstrekBase AWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $26,995 (base trim) | $31,900 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $26,995 – $34,995 7 trims | $31,900 – $48,500 13 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | HEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Crosstrek Hybrid AWD | RAV4 |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 36 | 43 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,850 | $1,550 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | — | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek or the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota RAV4 wins clearly, 91.1 to 74.4, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Subaru Crosstrek is ahead on price. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Toyota RAV4 scores 91.1 and the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek 74.4. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek or the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek starts lower — $26,995 against $31,900, a gap of $4,905 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek or the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
2026 Subaru Crosstrek: no NHTSA rating yet, grade C, 3 recalls (1 filed with no repair available). 2026 Toyota RAV4: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 2 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek and the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
Where the 2026 Toyota RAV4 wins: it lists more comfort and tech equipment (29 points against 14 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 94 against 70), and holds 37.8 cu ft behind the second row against 19.9. Where the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (11 against 44 filed with NHTSA) and lists 21 standard driver-assist features against 16. What they share: 5 seats.