Subaru Crosstrek vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Specs Compared
Also searched as Toyota Grand Highlander vs Subaru Crosstrek specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Subaru Crosstrek and Toyota Grand Highlander are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 36 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Across 3 measured categories, the Subaru Crosstrek leads in 2. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Subaru Crosstrek
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 36 configurations
2024–2026
Toyota Grand Highlander
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 22 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Subaru Crosstrek | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 36 mpg | 36 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 36 mpg | 37 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 36 mpg ✓ | 34 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,700 | $1,700 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 151 g/mi ✓ | 246 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 2.0 | SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (AV-S8), Manual 6-spd | Automatic (S8), Automatic (S6), Automatic (AV-S6) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity | Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2024–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 36 | 22 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Subaru Crosstrek vs Toyota Grand Highlander dimensions and size
The Toyota Grand Highlander is 24.8 inches longer than the Subaru Crosstrek on a wheelbase 11 inches longer, and 1,179.5 lbs heavier. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | Subaru Crosstrek (2026) | Toyota Grand Highlander (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 176.4 in | 201.2 in | 24.8 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 70.9 in | 78.3 in | 7.5 in |
| Height | 63 in | 70.1 in | 7.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 116.1 in | 11 in |
| Curb weight | 3,285 lbs | 4,464 lbs | 1,180 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Subaru Crosstrek vs Toyota Grand Highlander: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Subaru Crosstrek burns about $1,700 of fuel annually against $1,700 for the Toyota Grand Highlander. That $0 yearly gap compounds to roughly $0 over five years and $0 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Toyota Grand Highlander is the stronger commuter at 37 mpg city, while the Subaru Crosstrek pulls ahead on the interstate at 36 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Subaru Crosstrek is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV), the Toyota Grand Highlander with 2 (SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid). Across 36 recorded Subaru Crosstrek configurations and 22 for the Toyota Grand Highlander, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Subaru Crosstrek is offered with All-Wheel Drive, the Toyota Grand Highlander with All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Subaru Crosstrek emits 151 g/mile of CO2 versus 246 g/mile for the Toyota Grand Highlander. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Crosstrek vs Grand Highlander: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Subaru Crosstrek or the Toyota Grand Highlander?
The Subaru Crosstrek and Toyota Grand Highlander are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 36 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Toyota Grand Highlander runs about $1,700 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $1,700 for the Subaru Crosstrek — a difference of roughly $0 per year.
What engines do the Crosstrek and Grand Highlander offer?
Subaru Crosstrek: SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 2.0. Toyota Grand Highlander: SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; Hybrid.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Subaru Crosstrek as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and the Toyota Grand Highlander as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Crosstrek comparisons
More Grand Highlander comparisons
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