2026–27 Toyota Corolla Cross vs Subaru Crosstrek: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Corolla Cross — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–1 across 6 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($25,335 vs $26,995) and better fuel economy (42 mpg vs 29 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Crosstrek if you tow (3,500 lb vs 1,500 lb max).
Scorecard: Corolla Cross 3.5 pts · Crosstrek 1 pts across 6 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Corolla Cross | 2027 Crosstrek | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $25,335 | $26,995 | Corolla Cross |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | — | 56% | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 42 mpg | 29 mpg | Corolla Cross |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 196 hp | 194 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 1,500 lb | 3,500 lb | Crosstrek |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 24 cu ft | 23.3 cu ft | Tie |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 3.6% off MSRP | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | — | 2 | No data |
| Weighted points | 3.5 | 1 | Corolla Cross |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Corolla Cross — 42 mpg vs 29 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Corolla Cross 5 vs Crosstrek 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Corolla Cross — $25,335 vs $26,995 (starting MSRP).
- Towing. Towing: the Crosstrek — 3,500 lb vs 1,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Corolla Cross starts at $25,335 and tops out at $33,830; the Crosstrek runs $26,995 to $35,995 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Corolla Cross buyers paid a median 3.6% off MSRP across 5 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 5% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Corolla Cross: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Crosstrek: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Corolla Cross 2023 (avoid), 2024 (solid), 2025 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 Corolla Cross | 2027 Crosstrek | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $25,335 | $26,995 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $33,830 | $35,995 |
| Horsepower | 169–196 hp | 180–194 hp |
| Max torque | 151 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 30–42 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 26–29 mpg |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 24 cu ft | 23.3 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| Corolla Cross | Crosstrek | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 176.1 in | 176.4 in |
| Width | 71.9 in | 70.9 in |
| Height | 64.9 in | 62.8 in |
| Wheelbase | — | 105.1 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in | 8.7 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
There's no 5-year retention figure for the Corolla Cross yet. A 5-year-old (2021) Crosstrek lists for a median $21,004 — 56% of today's median new price of $37,484.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross for sale →
- See 18,440 new 2027 Subaru Crosstreks for sale →Median listed price $33,836 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Toyota Corolla Cross
More on the Subaru Crosstrek
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Corolla Cross better than the Crosstrek?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Corolla Cross — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–1 across 6 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($25,335 vs $26,995) and better fuel economy (42 mpg vs 29 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Crosstrek if you tow (3,500 lb vs 1,500 lb max).
Which is more reliable, the Corolla Cross or the Crosstrek?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the Corolla Cross or the Crosstrek?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the Corolla Cross or the Crosstrek?
The Corolla Cross starts lower: $25,335 vs $26,995 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the Corolla Cross or the Crosstrek?
The Corolla Cross: up to 42 mpg combined vs 29 mpg for the Crosstrek (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Toyota Corolla Cross vs Subaru Crosstrek: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/toyota-corolla-cross-vs-subaru-crosstrek, updated November 8, 2026.