The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek now comes as a hybrid. For the 2026 model year, Subaru is dumping the old 2.0 engine, going with a larger 2.5 as standard and combining it with a hybrid system as the upgrade.
Subaru is also adding more standard features like rear seat airbags and keyless access, with more extra features coming to some of the higher trims. Of course, all of this brings a price hike, with the basic model coming in at $1,000 more than last year.
2026 Subaru Crosstrek: A Little Greener
Adding a hybrid system is the big news. It’s the same system that just launched on the Forester Hybrid, and like it does in that model, it makes 194 horsepower. Subaru’s 2.5L boxer-four is paired with electric motors and a small battery to make it happen. It’s not Subaru’s first hybrid Crosstrek, but it’s a big change versus the PHEV that was dropped after the 2023 model year.
The hybrid should make the sluggish Crosstrek a little quicker. It should also improve the fuel economy. Subaru didn’t have official figures, but we can make a solid guess. The gas Forester has the same 29 mpg combined rating as the Crosstrek 2.5. So, the Crosstrek Hybrid should match the Forester Hybrid’s 35 mpg combined figure.
Subaru is offering the hybrid in Sport and Limited trim grades. It raises the price by $3,370 on the Sport model, bringing that model up to $33,995, while it’s an extra $2,000 (to $34,995) on the Limited version.
2.5L Now Standard Engine
The 152-horsepower 2.0L four-cylinder engine is no longer available for 2026. It was only offered on the base model anyway, so it likely won’t be missed. Its lack of acceleration certainly won’t be, and its fuel economy rating wasn’t better than the 2.5’s.
Now, the 180-horsepower 2.5 is standard, equipped with a CVT. Yes, that’s likely responsible for much of the $1,000 price increase for 2026 to $26,995. But adding keyless entry and push-button start are also nice extras, as are the airbags for rear-seat passengers that are new across the board.
Higher-spec Crosstrek models already had the larger engine, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still get price increases. Premium, the next step up, sees its price increase by $1,050 to $27,995 without adding any new features.
Hybrid Models Get Unique Wheels, Dashboard
Sport is also unchanged, despite a price hike of $1,130 to bring it to $30,625. The Sport Hybrid grade adds a 12.3-inch digital dash and navigation as well as standard blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alerts and other driver safety assists. It also comes with a power moonroof, hybrid-exclusive wheels, and a 10-way power-adjust driver’s seat.
Limited gets a heated steering wheel this year, along with Subaru’s DriverFocus distraction mitigation system that watches you to make sure you’re watching the road. It starts from $32,995, up $1,600 from last year. The Hybrid Limited gets exclusive 18-inch wheels and gray StarTex seats with orange stitching, as well as a 10-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo.
2026 Subaru Crosstrek Arrives in Fall 2025
Subaru’s beefed-up and taller Crosstrek Wilderness is also unchanged for 2026. It gets a price change of $1,300 to bring it to $33,795.
Expect the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek and Crosstrek Hybrid at dealers this fall. The gas-only models will be built at Subaru’s plant in Indiana, with the hybrids imported from Japan.
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