Consumer Reports previews the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, sharing details about the hybrid powertrain and other updates.

All trim levels of Subaru’s new hybrid will get X-Mode, which uses individual wheel braking to route power to the wheels with the best grip. If you have X-Mode, the corresponding counterpart to that is Hill Descent Control, which gets you back down whatever you just climbed up.

Subaru sent the Crosstrek Hybrid to the drawing board and returned with a new system that pairs the 2.5-liter boxer with two motors in a series-parallel hybrid.