Subaru Crosstrek vs Toyota Corolla Cross
$38,990 vs $44,190. Permanent AWD and a big tow rating vs hybrid economy and, contrary to what everyone assumes, the bigger boot.
Data checked: specs 2 Sep 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Comparison snapshot
Prices, scores and edges below update from our car data.
Cheaper by $5,200, tows 650kg more
Lighter on fuel by 2.8 L/100km, 99L more boot
Written 5 April 2026. The snapshot, tables, scores and verdict on this page update from our car data; figures quoted in the text are as at that date.
Price
A $5,200 gap. Crosstrek AWD 2.0L at $38,990, Corolla Cross GXL AWD at $44,190, both recommended retail before on-road costs.
At 15,000km a year and $1.90 a litre: the Crosstrek costs about $39 a week ($2,052 a year). The Corolla Cross costs about $24 a week ($1,254 a year). The Toyota saves $798 a year, or $3,990 over five years, which recovers about three quarters of the $5,200 gap. The rest has to come from resale and from whether you value the hybrid drivetrain.
5-Year Cost Estimate
| Cost | Crosstrek AWD | Corolla Cross AWD |
|---|---|---|
| List price (RRP, before on-roads) | $38,990 | $44,190 |
| 5yr Fuel (est.) | $10,260 | $6,270 |
| 5yr Insurance (est.) | $7,000 | $7,200 |
| 5yr Servicing (est.) | $2,800 | $2,200 |
| Resale (est. 5yr, 50%/54%) | -$19,495 | -$23,863 |
| True 5yr Cost | $39,555 | $35,997 |
The Corolla Cross comes out roughly $3,560 cheaper over five years despite costing $5,200 more up front. Hybrid fuel savings and Toyota resale do the work. Note how sensitive that is to the resale assumption though: if the Toyota only matches the Subaru on retention, the result flips. Use our fuel cost calculator for your own kilometres.
Estimates based on CarSorted calculations. Actual costs vary.
Safety
Both hold five-star ANCAP ratings, but the Crosstrek's is the more recent and therefore the harder-earned: 2024 against the current protocols, versus 2022 for the Corolla Cross. Both list AEB, lane keep and adaptive cruise as standard. Subaru uses its EyeSight dual-camera system, Toyota its Safety Sense suite. Compare them on CarSorted.
Features
The Corolla Cross GXL gets a 10.5-inch screen, wireless CarPlay and the hybrid system's electric-only running at low speeds. The Crosstrek AWD gets an 8-inch screen, Apple CarPlay and Subaru's X-Mode traction control. On paper the Toyota has the better tech; the Subaru has the hardware for loose surfaces, with 220mm of ground clearance against the Toyota's 132mm.
CarSorted Data Insight
Based on CarSorted's database of Australian vehicles: the Crosstrek AWD at $38,990 is one of the cheapest permanent AWD SUVs we list. The next cheapest permanent AWD Subaru is the Forester at $45,990. The Corolla Cross GXL AWD at $44,190 is among the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive SUVs in the database at 4.4L/100km.
Where the Crosstrek stands out is not luggage volume, which is modest at 291 litres, but clearance and tow rating. At 220mm and 1,400kg braked it is set up for gravel and light towing in a way almost nothing else at this price is.
The Verdict
Buy the Crosstrek if: you need permanent AWD rather than an on-demand rear motor, you want 220mm of ground clearance, you tow up to 1,400kg, or the $5,200 lower purchase price decides it. Best for rural buyers and outdoor use. Just be aware the boot is only 291 litres.
Buy the Corolla Cross Hybrid if: fuel economy is the priority (4.4L vs 7.2L saves about $798 a year), you want the bigger 390-litre boot and the stronger 146kW hybrid drivetrain, you mostly drive on sealed roads, and Toyota resale matters to you.
Compare both on CarSorted. See also: CX-30 vs Corolla Cross and Corolla Cross vs Seltos.
Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices excluding on-road costs. Correct at time of publishing. Verify with your dealer.
Key details
A tick marks the better figure only where both cars have one and the gap is meaningful (3% or more; a whole star or year).
| Detail | Subaru Crosstrek | Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $38,990 RRP | From $44,190 RRP |
| Drive-away estimate | Calculating... | Calculating... |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Powertrain | Petrol, 2L 4-cyl | Hybrid, 2L 4-cyl |
| Power / torque | 115kW / 196Nm | 146kW / 188Nm |
| Fuel use | 7.2 L/100km | 4.4 L/100km |
| 0-100km/h | No data | 9.4s |
| Boot | 291L seats up | 390L seats up |
| Towing (braked) | 1,400kg | 750kg |
| ANCAP | 5 stars (2024) | 5 stars (2022) |
| Warranty | 5yr / unlimited km | 5yr / unlimited km |
At a glance
- Seats
- 5
- Boot
- 291L seats up
- Length x width x height
- 4,495 x 1,800 x 1,600mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,670mm
- Engine
- 2L 4-cyl
- Power
- 115kW
- Torque
- 196Nm
- Drive
- AWD
- Transmission
- CVT
- Power-to-weight
- 77 kW/tonne
- Kerb weight
- 1,494kg
- Spare wheel
- Space-saver
- Payload
- 606kg
- Towing braked / unbraked
- 1,400kg / 650kg
- Turning circle
- 10.8m
- Seats
- 5
- Boot
- 390L seats up
- Length x width x height
- 4,460 x 1,825 x 1,620mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,640mm
- Engine
- 2L 4-cyl
- Power
- 146kW
- Torque
- 188Nm
- Drive
- AWD
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Power-to-weight
- 94 kW/tonne
- Kerb weight
- 1,545kg
- Spare wheel
- Space saver
- Payload
- No data
- Towing braked / unbraked
- 750kg / 750kg
- Turning circle
- 10.8m
CarSorted Score breakdown
The CarSorted Score is algorithmic: it is calculated from each car's data, not from a road test. How it works.
Safety
Fuel Economy
Value
Practicality
Technology
Performance
Reliability
The verdict
Toyota Corolla Cross comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (71 vs 66)
The deciding gaps
- Fuel Economy:Subaru Crosstrek 71, Toyota Corolla Cross 96, Toyota Corolla Cross ahead by 25
- Practicality:Subaru Crosstrek 55, Toyota Corolla Cross 48, Subaru Crosstrek ahead by 7
- Value:Subaru Crosstrek 77, Toyota Corolla Cross 82, Toyota Corolla Cross ahead by 5
The Toyota Corolla Cross wins on the score; the Subaru Crosstrek is the cheaper of the two, and price is already part of the Value axis.
Same scorer as the live comparison of these two exact cars.
Our take (written 5 April 2026)
Correct one thing before you weigh this up: the Crosstrek does not have the bigger boot. It holds 291 litres against 390 in the Corolla Cross GXL AWD, so the Toyota is 99 litres ahead, not 72 behind. With that fixed, the two split cleanly. The Corolla Cross costs $5,200 more and gives you 4.4L/100km against 7.2, 146kW of combined hybrid output against 115kW, a 1.5-second quicker 0-100, and the bigger boot. Fuel saves about $798 a year, which is roughly $3,990 over five years and recovers about three quarters of the price gap on its own; Toyota resale covers the rest and then some. The Crosstrek answers with the things a Toyota hybrid crossover cannot do: permanently engaged symmetrical AWD rather than an on-demand electric rear motor, 220mm of ground clearance against 132, and a 1,400kg braked tow rating against 750kg. That is not a small print difference. If you use dirt roads, tow anything, or want clearance, the Subaru is the only one of the two built for it. If you do not, the Toyota is the better everyday car.
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Questions buyers ask
Which has better AWD, Crosstrek or Corolla Cross?
The Crosstrek. Subaru's symmetrical AWD is permanently engaged, sending power to all four wheels always. The Corolla Cross uses an electric motor for the rear wheels that only activates when the fronts slip. For dirt roads and wet grass, the Crosstrek is more predictable.
Is the Corolla Cross Hybrid worth $5,200 more?
The Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L is from $38,990 RRP; the Toyota Corolla Cross GXL AWD is from $44,190 RRP. That makes the Subaru Crosstrek $5,200 cheaper.
Which has more boot space?
Boot space with the seats up: the Toyota Corolla Cross at 390L, against 291L for the Subaru Crosstrek.
Which tows more?
Braked towing capacity: the Subaru Crosstrek at 1,400kg, against 750kg for the Toyota Corolla Cross.
Which small AWD SUV should I buy?
On the CarSorted Score the Toyota Corolla Cross comes out ahead (Subaru Crosstrek 66/100, Toyota Corolla Cross 71/100), mainly on fuel economy, value. The score is algorithmic; the editorial above says who each car suits.
Which is cheaper to run, the Subaru Crosstrek or the Toyota Corolla Cross?
On the official combined cycle, the Subaru Crosstrek uses 7.2 L/100km and the Toyota Corolla Cross uses 4.4 L/100km.
What are the ANCAP ratings for the Subaru Crosstrek and Toyota Corolla Cross?
The Subaru Crosstrek holds 5 stars (rated 2024), and the Toyota Corolla Cross holds 5 stars (rated 2022).
Which has the better warranty?
The Subaru Crosstrek comes with a 5yr / unlimited km warranty; the Toyota Corolla Cross with a 5yr / unlimited km warranty.
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How to read this page. Prices, specs, ANCAP ratings, warranty, scores and the computed verdict come from our records for the two variants shown, sourced from manufacturer Australian documents, and update when those records change. RRP excludes on-road costs. Drive-away figures are estimates for the state you have selected unless marked as advertised. The editorial text was written on 5 April 2026. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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