The Subaru Crosstrek is a extremely popular compact SUV that provides some extent of distinction over like-priced rivals…
It’s solely obtainable in all-wheel drive – and if that issues to you, the Subaru’s system is best and gives extra functionality than any of the opposite autos within the small SUV class.
However when you’re not heading off to the campground, or being adventurous down close to the seaside, is the Crosstrek nonetheless automobile to reside with?
I simply spent per week within the top-spec petrol mannequin to inform you what it’s like.
How does the Subaru Crosstrek evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Subaru Crosstrek in opposition to equally sized autos.
Subaru
Crosstrek
How a lot does the Subaru Crosstrek price?
The small SUV section is aggressive, with greater than 20 gamers within the combine.
However Subaru has achieved job in carving its personal spot within the section, and for the primary 4 months of 2024, it has managed to rank because the fifth-most widespread automobile in its class.
A part of that should come all the way down to the truth that all Crosstrek fashions are all-wheel drive, whereas rivals are likely to solely provide AWD within the top-spec variants, at a premium.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek pricing:
| Mannequin Variant | $RRP |
|---|---|
| 2024 Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L | $34,990 |
| 2024 Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0X Particular Version | $36,990 |
| 2024 Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0R | $38,490 |
| 2024 Subaru Crosstrek AWD Hybrid L | $38,590 |
| 2024 Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0S | $41,490 |
| 2024 Subaru Crosstrek AWD Hybrid S | $45,090 |
Costs exclude on-road prices
To see how the Subaru Crosstrek strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability device.
What’s the Subaru Crosstrek like on the within?
There haven’t been any huge adjustments because the Crosstrek launched, and even when it did it felt acquainted to anybody who had sat in or checked out a Subaru earlier than.
In my view, there’s nothing fallacious with that, as a result of the dashboard design, that huge vibrant media display screen, and a lot of the controls are all straightforward to be taught and function.
There are some exceptions to that, nonetheless. Whereas most of the controls are proper there on the intense, crisp and vibrant display screen, there are nonetheless some arduous buttons in your temperature adjustment and demister, in addition to quantity and tuning dials, which I prefer to see.
Annoyingly, the fan controller is on the backside of the display screen, and it is advisable press the display screen a number of instances to function the recivulated A/C, too.
However the 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen media system is a comparatively easy factor to get your head round – at the very least, from my perspective it’s.
Possibly it’s as a result of this display screen is paying homage to the menu structure on an iPhone, with vivid and vibrant icons that I discovered it straightforward to be taught. I’ve spoken to some Android aficionados that don’t dig it fairly as a lot.
Now, the system itself options wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite tv for pc navigation for many who prefer to maintain it old-school, DAB digital radio, and AM/FM tuning too – with a dial for tuning and quantity. Rejoice!
Additional, there are USB-A, USB-C, and AUX ports, in addition to a wi-fi cellphone charger on this spec. I discovered it was a bit grippier than another automobiles, and my cellphone didn’t go flying by means of corners.
I additionally like the very fact there are devoted heated seat buttons for the highest two grades down close to the shifter, and there’s a 12-volt port and respectable cup holders between the entrance seats, to not point out bottle holders within the doorways and a centre console bin as properly.
The Crosstrek’s vibe is a little more rugged than another SUVs within the class, and I just like the gray and black trim finishes that make it really feel by some means a bit extra outdoorsy than rivals that seemingly suppose black trim is the one possibility.
The leather-accented seats on this top-spec mannequin are snug, properly adjustable and really feel fairly fancy. Additionally in that column is the very fact the two.0S comes normal with a sunroof – albeit a small one by present requirements.
Maybe a method that it feels a bit extra conservative than rivals is the very fact it nonetheless has conventional dials within the instrument, fairly than a predominantly digital show like so many rivals provide these days.
There’s a digital half to the cluster, which features a speedo readout and journey pc, nevertheless it’s perhaps only a bit much less thrilling than some opponents when you’re a tech fiend.
One other factor that is perhaps a bit overwhelming to some individuals is the quantity of buttons on the steering wheel, however I’ve at all times preferred the very fact you might have so many controls at your fingertips if you’re driving, and there’s a button for nearly something you’d need, proper there.
Okay, so what about cabin usability for a household?
It’s not the roomiest small SUV within the section, however positioned within the again with the motive force’s seat set for my place (at 182cm/6’0 tall), there was simply sufficient knee room, foot room, and a bit of little bit of head room for me to fit in moderately comfortably.
Watch your head when you’re taller when getting out and in, because the apertures are a bit of small; and in addition, there’s a transmission tunnel intruding into the foot area so three-across is perhaps too squishy.
The precise seat consolation is a bit missing, so longer journeys is perhaps a activity, but in addition – and one thing that is perhaps a deal-breaker when you’re a dad or mum – there are not any directional air vents at the back of this SUV.
However when you’re okay with that, there are ISOFIX factors for the window seats and three top-tethers, in addition to USB-A and USB-C ports, a map pocket, bottle holders within the doorways, and there’s a flip-down armrest with shallow cupholders.
Boot area might be one other potential deal breaker for younger households specifically, I’d recommend, as there’s simply 291 litres of cargo capability, and meaning you’re restricted to a pram and a few smaller baggage, the place others within the class have way more usable boot areas.
Not less than you get a space-saver spare wheel below the boot flooring, and a lightweight within the again as properly, purchasing bag hooks and a cargo load protector with cute little wilderness easter eggs. If you would like a extra sensible family-ready SUV, the Forester will tick that field!
What’s below the bonnet?
The Crosstrek has a hybrid possibility, nevertheless it’s not going to be a fuel-sipper like a Toyota Yaris Cross.
For that cause, it’s arduous to suggest it, because it solely makes use of about half a litre much less per 100km, and the usual Crosstrek has an honest engine below the bonnet.
It’s a non-turbo 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed four-cylinder ‘Boxer’ petrol engine producing 115kW of energy (6000rpm) and 196Nm of torque (4000rpm). The engine is paired with a constantly variable transmission (CVT) auto that includes eight simulated shift factors, and Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive is normal.
The official mixed cycle gas consumption determine is 7.2L/100km for the petrol variations of the Crosstrek, with an idle begin/cease system that cuts the engine in site visitors. Throughout my time with the Crosstrek 2.0S, I noticed a real-world return throughout a mixture of city, freeway and freeway driving of 8.1 litres per 100km.
What’s good in regards to the Crosstrek is that it has a large-for-the-segment 63-litre gas tank, providing probably respectable driving vary between fills. Additionally, it could actually run on 91 RON common unleaded gas.
How does the Subaru Crosstrek drive?
I wished to see what the Crosstrek was prefer to reside with on the each day – doing the stuff that you simply’d probably additionally do when you owned considered one of these.
City runs to the outlets, each day errands like daycare drop-offs, and an extended commute to town, too – for probably the most half, it did all of that stuff fairly properly.
However it’s not all that enjoyable, and that may very well be the factor that makes you suppose twice about it.
The factor that’s the least enjoyable about it’s the engine and transmission combo, which is torpid feeling in start-stop site visitors specifically, particularly when the automobile is in “Clever” drive mode, which is extra about effectivity than energy.
Put it into “Sport” and it definitely feels perkier and revs tougher, however that additionally means you hear that engine/CVT combo making extra of a racket extra of the time.
Suffice to say, it’s not a joyful each day driving expertise from a powertrain perspective. There are different SUVs on this section with way more enjoyable and punchier engines teamed with smarter and smoother transmissions.
It feels a bit of missing by way of efficiency and polish, however truthfully, when you’re not a leadfoot otherwise you aren’t at all times in a rush to get the place you’re going, you would possibly discover the responsiveness and usefulness of the powertrain is completely advantageous.
A number of Subarus are offered in nation areas and regional zones, and for these patrons who’re planning to make use of their automobile for an extended drive to get the children to high school or get themselves to work, the Crosstrek is perhaps a greater match than for many who reside in city areas and spend a variety of time in site visitors.
I discovered the long-distance drives I did to be probably the most likeable ones, because the adaptive cruise management does an honest job of harnessing the dearth of torque, and the motive force help options aren’t so annoying as to make you need to swap the whole lot off all through the journey.
However probably the most spectacular factor in regards to the Crosstrek throughout a mixture of situations is the journey consolation, which is much extra spectacular than the lower-riding Impreza hatch it shares a platform with.
Certainly, the upper journey top and elevated floor clearance of the crossover mannequin makes it a reasonably likeable factor in city settings, over bumpy and lumpy roads; and sure, when you encounter gravel or unsealed sections, it has a very good deal with on the floor.
That journey consolation, mixed with the all-wheel drive surefootedness you’ll admire whether or not the highway is tough or the climate is dangerous; and predictable steering with a pleasant quantity of weight to it; means the chassis is considerably at odds with the powertrain on this automobile.
If solely Subaru put a extra highly effective engine in it!
What do you get?
Context is the whole lot, so right here’s a rundown of the usual specs throughout the Crosstrek vary so that you can determine which variant is perhaps greatest in your needs and wishes:
Crosstrek 2.0L + Hybrid L normal spec highlights:
- Auto Cease Begin
- Subaru Clever Drive (SI-Drive)
- X-Mode with hill descent management
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Nightfall-sensing headlights
- Rear mixture lights incl. LED brake lights
- Energy-folding mirrors with indicators
- Black roof rails
- Tricot (Tetra Embossing) fabric seat trim
- Twin-zone climate-control air-conditioning
- 11.6-inch touchscreen
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- USB ports – USB-A and USB-C
- Wi-fi Qi charger
- 6-speaker audio system
Crosstrek 2.0R provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Two-mode X-Mode
- Entrance and rear wipers with entrance de-icer
- Self-levelling LED headlights with auto off
- Entrance cornering lamps
- Door mirrors – heated
- Steering Responsive Headlights (SRH)
- Entrance LED fog lights
- Roof rails – darkish gray
- Premium fabric seat trim
- Leather-based steering wheel/gear shift
- Sports activities pedals
- Auto-dimming rear view mirror
- Heated seats – driver and entrance passenger
- 10-way energy seat with lumbar help – driver
- Rear USB-A, USB-C charging ports
- Entrance View Monitor
- Excessive-beam help
- 360-degree digital camera
- Aspect View Monitor
Crosstrek 2.0S and Hybrid S add:
- Electrical sunroof
- Leather-based-accented seat trim
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio incl. amplifier
Is the Subaru Crosstrek secure?
The Subaru Crosstrek is but to be examined by ANCAP, and is subsequently unrated.
Normal security options embrace:
- 9 airbags
- Twin entrance, twin entrance aspect, twin curtain
- Driver’s knee
- Far aspect
- Entrance passenger seat cushion
- EyeSight Driver Help:
- Entrance Pre-Collision Braking (AEB)
- Adaptive cruise management
- Lane maintain help
- Lane centring help
- Lane departure prevention
- Lane departure warning
- Lane Sway Warning
- Lead Car Begin Alert
- Pre-Collision Braking System (AEB)
- Pre-Collision Throttle Administration
- Autonomous emergency steering
- Brake mild recognition
- Clever velocity limiter
- Velocity limiter
- Velocity signal recognition
- Huge-angle monocular digital camera
- New stereo digital camera with improved picture recognition
- Subaru Imaginative and prescient Help:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- EyeSight Help Monitor
- Lane change help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear parking sensors
- Reverse Computerized Braking (AEB)
- Entrance aspect radar
- Driver Monitoring System – Driver Focus:
Crosstrek 2.0R provides:
- Subaru Imaginative and prescient Help:
- Excessive-beam help
- 360-degree cameras
- Aspect View Monitor
Contemplating your complete Subaru vary wears five-star ANCAP and Euro NCAP security scores, we’d be shocked if the brand new Crosstrek didn’t obtain comparable, given the frequent automobile structure and suite of ordinary security programs.
How a lot does the Subaru Crosstrek price to run?
Subaru backs the Crosstrek with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
Capped-price servicing is offered for the primary 5 years/75,000 kilometres with intervals of 12 months or 15,000km.
Nevertheless, the primary 5 companies are expensive. The charges are capped at $346.25, $473.47, $420.60, $771.74 and $361.13 respectively, so a median of about $475 per 12 months – or roughly twice what it prices to service a Corolla Cross.
You get one 12 months of roadside help included, too.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Subaru Crosstrek
There’s no denying that for a lot of patrons, the Crosstrek might be an ideal match for his or her way of life and finances.
It’s not probably the most thrilling small SUV to drive, and the boot and again seat may very well be too compromised for a rising household; however for {couples}, empty nesters and adventurers, it would simply be the precise factor.
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