Verified against primary sources
| Cost category | Estimate |
|---|---|
| 5-year depreciation | $9,097 |
| Insurance (annual) | $1,839 |
| Fuel or charging (annual) | $1,810 |
| Maintenance (annual) | $490 |
| Tires (annual) | $330 |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined) | 29 MPG |
| Fuel economy (city / highway) | 26 / 33 MPG |
| Engine | 2.5L 4-cyl BOXER |
| Horsepower | 180 hp |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft |
| Seating capacity | 5 passengers |
| Cargo space | 20 cu ft |
| Pillar | Score (0–100) | Class median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of ownership | 90 | 73 | +17 |
| Powertrain | 63 | 63 | +0 |
| Safety | 72 | 94 | -22 |
| Driver assistance | 32 | 43 | -11 |
| Livability | 61 | 49 | +12 |
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek scores 90/100 on cost of ownership — 17 points above the suvs median. The Compact SUV class median 5-year ownership cost is $49,048 (15,000 mi/yr, national average rates). Largest annual recurring expense: insurance.
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek scores 32/100 on driver assistance — 11 points below the suvs median. All scores reflect standard equipment at base MSRP; optional driver-assistance packages are not scored.
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek scores 63/100 on powertrain. Key figures: 29 MPG combined, 180 hp.
Verdict
The 2026 Crosstrek pairs standard all-wheel drive and EyeSight driver assistance with Subaru's famously strong resale value, making it one of the lowest-cost ways to own a capable, weatherproof SUV. Ground clearance is generous and the rugged Wilderness adds real off-pavement ability. It gives up some ground on power — 180 horsepower is adequate rather than quick — and the 2026 model narrowly missed an IIHS Top Safety Pick on the updated moderate-overlap test. For budget-focused buyers who want all-wheel-drive security and low long-term costs, the Crosstrek is hard to beat.
Good fit for: Budget-focused
Best for
- Standard all-wheel drive and EyeSight assistance
- Strong resale value and low ownership costs
- Generous ground clearance with a capable Wilderness trim
Watch out for
- 180-horsepower engine is adequate, not quick
- Missed a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick on the updated moderate-overlap test
2026 Subaru Crosstrek
Five measured pillars, weighted into one score.
Cost, Powertrain, Driver Assistance, Livability, and Safety — each scored against its class, then combined into a single MotiveGrid Score. Built by our engineering team and benchmarked against independent sources like NHTSA, IIHS, and CarEdge. How it’s calculated →
Verdict
Based on median-price trimThe 2026 Crosstrek pairs standard all-wheel drive and EyeSight driver assistance with Subaru's famously strong resale value, making it one of the lowest-cost ways to own a capable, weatherproof SUV. Ground clearance is generous and the rugged Wilderness adds real off-pavement ability. It gives up some ground on power — 180 horsepower is adequate rather than quick — and the 2026 model narrowly missed an IIHS Top Safety Pick on the updated moderate-overlap test. For budget-focused buyers who want all-wheel-drive security and low long-term costs, the Crosstrek is hard to beat.
Good fit for: Budget-focused
Budget-conscious buyers who want the lowest total cost of ownership
Cost of Ownership
Five-year cost is driven mostly by insurance; tires is a minor share.
- Resale demand stays strong due to brand reputation.
- Depreciation is lower than the compact SUV average.
- Insurance cost is slightly above segment average.
- Vehicle class has moderate monthly ownership costs.
- Fuel cost is lower than typical for AWD compact SUVs.
- Maintenance and tire costs are standard for the segment.
Total ownership costs are below average over five years.
Adjust for your situation
State
Ownership Cost
Powertrain
Fuel efficiency weighed with long-term ownership confidence.
Reliability is marked Provisional until this model has enough complaint history to rate — we don't invent a number.
Combines real-world energy efficiency (EPA-verified MPG or MPG-equivalent vs. class) with long-term ownership confidence (warranty coverage, platform maturity, and reliability data). Methodology →
Driver Assistance
Strongest in highway driving support, but parking convenience and hands-free automation are limited.
💡 Tracks where the car can drive itself (highways vs. local roads) and how much driver supervision is needed (up to fully driverless).
PoorStandard driver assist — no hands-free operation
Combines highway support, parking convenience, and hands-free automation capability into one score. Methodology →
Livability
Easy to maneuver, but tighter on interior space.
Combines how comfortably this vehicle fits passengers and cargo with how easily it maneuvers in real-world conditions — normalized within its Compact SUV segment for fair comparison. Methodology →
Safety
Based on standard crash-avoidance features.
NHTSA has not assigned an overall star rating for this model year yet — its full test program (including side impact) is still in progress. The individual results shown here are final.
Combines crash-test protection — NHTSA frontal, side, and rollover ratings plus the IIHS crashworthiness sub-tests (small- and moderate-overlap front, side, headlights) — with standard crash-avoidance technology. New model years without published crash tests are scored on crash-avoidance features alone and capped until tested. Methodology →
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MotiveGrid Score for the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek?
- The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek earns a MotiveGrid Score of 75 out of 100. The score combines five pillars — cost of ownership, powertrain, safety, driver assistance, and livability — into one number, so you can weigh a vehicle's all-round strength at a glance.
- What is the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek safety score?
- The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek earns a MotiveGrid safety score of 72/100. The score combines NHTSA and IIHS crash-test results with the standard active safety equipment included at base price.
- What driver assistance features does the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek include?
- The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek scores 32/100 on driver assistance. MotiveGrid evaluates only standard equipment — features included at base MSRP — across four areas: highway automation, parking support, collision avoidance, and visibility aids. Optional driver-assistance packages are not scored.
- What is the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek fuel economy?
- The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is EPA-rated at 29 MPG combined. MotiveGrid uses this figure as the basis for its annual fuel or charging cost estimate.
- How does the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek rank among suvs?
- The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is in the top 62% of suvs on the MotiveGrid composite score. All vehicles in the same segment are scored on an identical five-pillar framework, making the percentile a direct comparison.
- How does the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek compare to the Honda HR-V?
- See the MotiveGrid side-by-side comparison page for a full breakdown across cost of ownership, safety, powertrain, driver assistance, and livability. Both vehicles are top-scored options in the suvs segment.
- Is the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek spacious and practical?
- The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek scores 61/100 on livability, which covers interior passenger space, cargo capacity, and maneuverability. This score is compared directly against other suvs in the same segment.
Analysis by the MotiveGrid Engineering Team · MotiveGrid Score last computed 2026-07-03