Compact SUVs are a great choice if you appreciate the cuteness factor and like a small footprint, but what other features would help you decide which one is best for your needs? Is it tech, or cargo space, or fuel economy? All of the above?
Often, we narrow our car choice down to two models. And sometimes, it’s hard to choose from there. If you are considering the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Subaru Crosstrek for a compact SUV, we can help distill the details.
Both Compact SUVs have Fair Power and Good Fuel Economy, but the Corolla Cross has a Hybrid Option
The Subaru Crosstrek has two engine choices: a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that produces 152 hp, which gets an estimated 27/34/29 mpg city/highway combined, and a bigger 2.5L horsepower engine that produces 182 hp. This engine gets an estimated 25/29/27 mpg city/highway combined and is available on the Sport, Limited, and Wilderness trims.
The Toyota Corolla Cross has a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that produces 169 horsepower. The Corolla Cross and the Crosstrek have engines that aren’t exactly powerhouses. They’ll get you where you need to go, but they won’t win any races.
There is one exception. The Corolla Cross has a hybrid option that provides 196 hp and better fuel economy, with an estimated 31/33 mpg city/highway.
Corolla Cross starts at around $22,195. Crosstrek starts at about $25,000. If a starting price point in a compact SUV is a focus for you, the Corolla Cross is your choice.
Crosstrek has All-Wheel Drive Standard on All Trims
The Crosstrek has all-wheel drive from the jump. The Corolla Cross requires you to opt for the XLE trim to get AWD standard. And that requires you to spend $29,385 before fees. The other way you can get AWD on the Corolla Cross is to add it as an option. If you do this with the base L trim, the price jumps to $26,510 before fees.
Additionally, the Crosstrek has X-Mode and hill-descent control for more capability than the Corolla Cross. The Crosstrek offers the Wilderness trim that has higher ground clearance.
Even Space is Kind of a Tie in these Compact SUVs
The Subaru Crosstrek has 19.9 cubic feet of space in the cargo area with the second row seats up; it has 54.7 cubic feet available with the second row seats folded down. By contrast, the Corolla Cross has 24 cubic feet of space in the cargo area with the second row seats up, and a whopping 66 cubic feet with the second row folded.
The Crosstrek has more passenger space, particularly with second-row legroom. So if that is more important, the Crosstrek may be your best compact SUV choice.
Corolla Cross and Crosstrek Both Look Good and are Easy to Be In
The Corolla Cross and the Crosstrek are good-looking compact SUVs. The interiors are comfortable and attractive, though still a bit basic. The Subaru has a 7-inch touchscreen on its Base trim, and a large 11.6-inch horizontal multimedia touchscreen starting with the Premium trim. The Corolla Cross has an 8-inch horizontal multimedia touchscreen in all trims. Both cars feature physical controls in addition to the touchscreen, so that’s nice.
The Crosstrek has an 8.7-inch ground clearance (9.3 inches if you go with the Wilderness trim), the Corolla Cross has 8.1 inches of ground clearance. So both cars are easy to get into and out of, and to load gear into.
It’s tough to decide between the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Subaru Crosstrek. If a low starting price and cargo space are your priorities, the Corolla Cross is your winner. If all-wheel drive, capability, and tech are your priorities, opt for the Crosstrek.
