Compare the2026 Subaru Crosstrek VS 2026 Acura ADX

The Crosstrek has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The ADX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Crosstrek achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Acura ADX, which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

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

The Subaru Crosstrek’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Acura ADX does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Crosstrek and the ADX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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 Acura ADX:

	Crosstrek	ADX
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22.4%	31%
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	170	279
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.5 inches
Neck Injury Risk	28.8%	40.4%

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, results indicate that the Subaru Crosstrek is safer than the Acura ADX:

	Crosstrek	ADX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.7 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	116	177
Spine Acceleration	52 G’s	62 G’s

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

The Subaru Crosstrek has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The ADX is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

There are over 2 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Crosstrek’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Crosstrek’s reliability 24 points higher than the ADX.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Acura With 37 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Acura.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru second in overall reliability. Acura is ranked 7th.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 4 more horsepower (194 vs. 190) than the ADX’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Subaru Crosstrek 4 cyl. is faster than the Acura ADX:

	Crosstrek	ADX
Zero to 60 MPH	7.9 sec	8.9 sec
Quarter Mile	16.1 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88.6 MPH	85.8 MPH

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

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek gets better mileage than the ADX:

			MPG
Crosstrek
	AWD	2.5 flat-4 Hybrid	36 city/36 hwy
		Sport/Limited 2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy
ADX
	FWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/31 hwy
	AWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/30 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Crosstrek Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The ADX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Crosstrek uses regular unleaded gasoline. The ADX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Crosstrek has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the ADX (16.6 vs. 14 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Crosstrek higher (6 out of 10) than the Acura ADX (5). This means the Crosstrek produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the ADX every 15,000 miles.

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

	Crosstrek	Crosstrek Hybrid	ADX
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	12.6 inches	12.3 inches

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 ADX are solid, not vented.

The Crosstrek stops shorter than the ADX:

	Crosstrek	ADX
70 to 0 MPH	172 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	124 feet	Motor Trend

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Wilderness’ turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the ADX’s (34.8 feet vs. 37 feet). The Crosstrek’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the ADX’s (35.4 feet vs. 37 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the ADX (8.7 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Crosstrek to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Crosstrek Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 2 inches higher than on the ADX (9.3 vs. 7.3 inches).

The Crosstrek is 9.4 inches shorter than the ADX, making the Crosstrek easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Crosstrek has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the ADX (100.5 vs. 97.3).

The Crosstrek has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more front shoulder room, 7.8 inches more rear hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the ADX.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Crosstrek. The ADX doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Acura. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 11% lower rating, Acura is ranked 6th.

The Crosstrek’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The ADX’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. The ADX A-Spec’s rear windows don’t close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek’s exterior PIN entry system. The ADX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its AcuraLink can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Crosstrek has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The ADX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Crosstrek’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The ADX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Compared to the Acura ADX, the Subaru Crosstrek eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to the Acura ADX’s traditional radio, the Subaru Crosstrek equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

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 Acura ADX by almost 10 to one during 2025.