Subaru Crosstrek vs Toyota Corolla Cross: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Toyota Corolla Cross is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,560 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Corolla Cross Hybrid, 42 MPG combined), against $1,800 for the Subaru Crosstrek (Crosstrek Hybrid, 36 MPG combined). That is $240 a year, or $1,200 over five years.
Both are classed as Small SUVs by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Crosstrek Hybrid
$12.00 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
3 configurations in MY2026
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Toyota Corolla Cross
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Corolla Cross Hybrid
$10.40 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
3 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Subaru Crosstrek$1,800 a year · $12.00 per 100 mi
- Toyota Corolla Cross$1,560 a year · $10.40 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$240
Toyota Corolla Cross costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$1,200
$240 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Subaru Crosstrek | Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Crosstrek Hybrid | Corolla Cross Hybrid |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Combined rating | 36 MPG | 42 MPG (better) |
| City rating | 36 MPG | 46 MPG (better) |
| Highway rating | 36 MPG | 39 MPG (better) |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,800/yr | $1,560/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $12.00 | $10.40 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,800–$2,480 | $1,560–$2,180 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 3 | 3 |
| EPA class | Small SUVs | Small SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Subaru Crosstrek | Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 29 MPG · $2,250/yr Crosstrek | 32 MPG · $2,060/yr Corolla Cross |
| Hybrid | 36 MPG · $1,800/yr Crosstrek Hybrid | 42 MPG · $1,560/yr Corolla Cross Hybrid |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Subaru Crosstrek
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Toyota Corolla Cross
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,560 vs $1,800
- Higher combined rating: 42 MPG vs 36 MPG
- Higher city rating: 46 MPG vs 36 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 39 MPG vs 36 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,060 vs $2,250
Year by year
| Model year | Subaru Crosstrek | Toyota Corolla Cross | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 26–36 MPG | $1,800–$2,480 | 30–42 MPG | $1,560–$2,180 |
| 2025 | 27–29 MPG | $2,220–$2,420 | 30–42 MPG | $1,560–$2,180 |
| 2024 | 27–29 MPG | $2,220–$2,420 | 30–42 MPG | $1,560–$2,180 |
| 2023 | 25–35 MPG | $1,520–$2,620 | 30–42 MPG | $1,560–$2,180 |
| 2022 | 25–30 MPG | $2,180–$2,620 | 30–32 MPG | $2,040–$2,180 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Subaru Crosstrek or the Toyota Corolla Cross?
The Toyota Corolla Cross is cheaper: about $1,560 a year against $1,800 for the Subaru Crosstrek, a difference of $240 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Toyota Corolla Cross save over five years?
About $1,200 ($240 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Subaru Crosstrek or the Toyota Corolla Cross?
The Toyota Corolla Cross is rated 42 MPG combined against 36 MPG for the Subaru Crosstrek. City: 36 MPG vs 46 MPG. Highway: 36 MPG vs 39 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Subaru Crosstrek and the Toyota Corolla Cross in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.
Explore these cars
- Subaru Crosstrek: ratings, trims and every model year
- Toyota Corolla Cross: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Subaru Crosstrek: all configurations
- 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross: all configurations
More comparisons
- Subaru Crosstrek vs Ford Bronco Sport
- Subaru Crosstrek vs Subaru Impreza
- Toyota Corolla Cross vs Honda HR-V
- Subaru Forester vs Subaru Crosstrek
- Toyota Corolla vs Toyota Corolla Cross
- BMW X3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
- Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa Cruz
- Hyundai Kona vs Kia Seltos
- Hyundai Santa Fe vs Kia Sorento
- Lexus RX vs Acura MDX
- Lexus RX vs Lexus NX
- Nissan Kicks vs Volkswagen Taos
- All curated comparisons