Compare the2025 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2025 Lexus UX

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Crosstrek. But it costs extra on the UX.

Both the Crosstrek and the UX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Crosstrek is safer than the Lexus UX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Crosstrek is safer than the Lexus UX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 3 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Crosstrek’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Lexus vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Lexus is ranked second.

The Crosstrek Premium/Sport/Limited/Wilderness’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 152) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Crosstrek Premium/Sport/Limited/Wilderness 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder is faster than the Lexus UX:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The UX doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Both the Crosstrek and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Crosstrek has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Crosstrek has 6 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (16.6 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Crosstrek’s brake rotors are larger than those on the UX:

The Crosstrek’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the UX are solid, not vented.

The Crosstrek stops much shorter than the UX:

The Crosstrek has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the UX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Crosstrek Wilderness’ wheelbase is 1 inch longer than on the UX (104.9 inches vs. 103.9 inches). The Crosstrek’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the UX (105.1 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

The Crosstrek Limited handles at .81 G’s, while the UX 300h F Sport Handling pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Crosstrek Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the UX AWD (27.3 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the UX (8.7 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Crosstrek to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Crosstrek Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 3 inches higher than on the UX (9.3 vs. 6.3 inches).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Crosstrek has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The UX uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The front grille of the Crosstrek uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The UX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Crosstrek has 10.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (100.5 vs. 90.4).

The Crosstrek has 2.6 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 3.4 inches more rear legroom, 2.9 inches more rear hip room and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

The Crosstrek has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (19.9 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

The Crosstrek has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

The engine in the Crosstrek is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the UX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The power windows standard on both the Crosstrek and the UX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Crosstrek is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The UX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The UX F Sport’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Crosstrek’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Crosstrek as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Lexus UX by almost 20 to one during 2024.