2025 Subaru Crosstrek Review

With most of its rivals scared to hit the dirt, the Crosstrek offers buyers the confidence of Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system and solid ground clearance figures.

This means that the Crosstrek isn’t afraid to get its toes dirty, making it one of the best on-paper options for a versatile little SUV package here in Australia in 2025.

Let’s take a look at the latest MY25 Subaru Crosstrek range to see how it holds up as a practical, versatile and well-equipped small SUV package and compares to its major rivals.

Subaru Crosstrek Competition

How Much Does It Cost?

Prices for the latest Subaru Crosstrek range kick off from $35,490 for the entry-level Crosstrek 2.0L.

Stepping up to the Crosstrek 2.0X Special Edition brings the price to $38,990 while the Crosstrek Hybrid L is priced at $39,090 and the Crosstrek 2.0S is priced at $41,990.

Prices for Subaru’s range-topping Crosstrek Hybrid S are currently sitting at $45,590.

Keep in mind that these prices are for Subaru’s MY24 Crosstrek lineup and do not include on-road costs. We’ll be back to update you with MY25 pricing when Subaru has confirmed.

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What Features & Specs Does the Subaru Crosstrek Have?

Subaru’s entry-level Crosstrek 2.0L and Crosstrek Hybrid L comes riding on a set of 17-inch alloys and picks up LED headlights, LED tail lights, adaptive cruise control, cloth upholstery, dual-zone climate control, black roof rails, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors, a wireless charging pad and Subaru’s X-Mode with a hill descent control system.

Stepping up to the Crosstrek 2.0X Special Edition adds a set of 18-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights with LED fog lights, grey roof rails, charcoal cloth upholstery with heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an upgraded X-Mode driving system.

Subaru’s Crosstrek 2.0R receives a set of front cornering lamps with adaptive headlights, a surround-view monitor with side view, upgraded premium cloth upholstery, sports pedals, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a front-view monitor and rear charging ports.

Finally, the range-topping Crosstrek 2.0S and Crosstrek Hybrid S pick up leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, satellite navigation and an upgraded Harman/Kardon sound system.

Subaru Crosstrek Connectivity & Infotainment Features

All members of the Subaru Crosstrek range come packaged with a large, 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system that sits neatly on the dashboard.

Subaru’s portrait-oriented display looks great, with the 11.6-inch display offering high brightness levels, crisp graphics and a particularly user-friendly menu layout with a handy home button to help with navigation.

The display is flanked by physical buttons for the volume and tuning controls, as well as your climate controls to keep things nice and accessible.

The Crosstrek’s 11.6-inch display is packaged with AM/FM & DAB+ digital radio and is paired with a six-speaker sound system for the majority of the range.

Upgrading to the Crosstrek 2.0S & Hybrid S means you’ll pick up satellite navigation and a lovely 10-speaker sound system from Harman/Kardon.

Does the Subaru Crosstrek Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Potential buyers will be pleased to know that all members, from the entry-level 2.0L to the range-topping Hybrid S come equipped with both wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto.

After a fairly recent overhaul of the cabin and interior technology suite, the Crosstrek’s display is far larger than the previous generation while the addition of wireless smartphone connectivity only adds to its appeal with contemporary buyers.

This means you can keep your keys and phone in your pocket, turn on the ignition and access your contacts, media and preferred navigation apps wirelessly, or while your phone sits on the wireless charging pad.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek Comfortable to Drive?

While the Subaru Crosstrek has been designed with a greater emphasis off road than most of its rivals, it’s also quite the achiever on the sealed stuff, too.

It’s not the most dynamic or exciting option in the segment, but it’s a solid all-rounder that ticks all the important boxes atop its light off-roading credentials.

Under the bonnet, buyers have the option of two engines for the Crosstrek, including a base petrol unit and a hybrid option to help trim down on fuel use.

Subaru’s base petrol unit comes in the form of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Boxer petrol that pushes out 115kW of power and 196Nm of torque to all four wheels via a CVT automatic and the company’s symmetrical AWD system.

For those opting for Crosstrek Hybrid, you’ll pick up the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor, with outputs standing at 110kW of power and 196Nm of torque.

Around town, the Crosstrek proves itself as a well-mannered little SUV package, with its lightweight, compact wheelbase and responsive steering making it perfectly suited to the urban jungle.

Pick up the pace and the Crosstrek remains confident thanks to its all-wheel drive system, while Subaru’s suspension package only adds to its appeal with those living outside of the city.

The Crosstrek’s ride on a rough and tumbling country road is particularly impressive for the small SUV segment, eating up bumps in the road and remaining planted.

Bolstering the Crosstrek’s appeal as the most versatile member of the compact SUV segment is an impressive 220mm of ground clearance which allows it to tackle some light off-roading excursions that many of its competitors would refuse.

Throw in Subaru’s X-Mode for a range of different road conditions, rugged wheel arch coverings and the symmetrical all-wheel drive system and it’s clear the Crosstrek remains one of the most versatile small SUVs on the market.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek Fuel Efficient?

Fuel economy figures on offer in the Crosstrek range depend on whether you’re getting the base 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder or ticking the box for some hybrid assistance.

The most affordable Crosstrek with the regular petrol engine drinks 7.2L per 100km which is pretty thirsty for the segment, though it remains one of the few vehicles available with an all-wheel drive system in base form.

Opting for the Crosstrek Hybrid brings fuel economy figures down to 6.5L per 100km on a combined cycle.

While this is a respectable drop from the regular petrol engine, it’s a far-cry from some of the most fuel-efficient options in the segment.

• Crosstrek Petrol Fuel Economy: 7.2L per 100km

• Crosstrek Hybrid Fuel Economy: 6.5L per 100km

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While the Crosstrek fights in the small SUV segment, it’s a package that doesn’t force a heap of compromise onto buyers when it comes to interior practicality.

Climb aboard and you’ll be pleased to find no shortage of headroom, even for taller drivers, with the Crosstrek’s lofty roof design happy to accommodate those with a long torso.

The Crosstrek’s relatively tall roof design also lends itself well to solid forward and side visibility, with tonnes of light entering the cabin to help keep things feeling nice and spacious.

After its recent update, the Crosstrek’s cabin has become cleaner overall, with the 11.6-inch vertically-oriented display dominating the dashboard while retaining physical controls for the volume and climate inputs.

Cabin ergonomics are also solid, with your elbows picking up a soft-finish on the door sills and centre armrest.

The Crosstrek’s steering wheel is pretty button-heavy, though it’s intuitive when you familiarise yourself with the layout.

Storage options inside the Crosstrek are great for the small SUV segment, with a storage tray and wireless charging pad hiding behind the gear lever, large cupholders, added storage inside the folding armrest and glovebox and large bottle holders inside the doors.

Move to the second row and there’s significantly more legroom on offer than its predecessor, though space is somewhat limited for tall passengers sitting behind a particularly leggy driver.

Headroom is also a bit tight for adults seated in the rear while a relatively bulky centre transmission tunnel restricts outright accommodation in the second row for sitting three-abreast and, unfortunately, no air vents in the rear.

Upgrading to the 2.0R adds a pair of USB chargers in the second row, with the base model offering a folding armrest with cup holders, bottle holders inside the doors and map pockets.

For the parents out there, the Crosstrek picks up two pairs of ISOFIX anchors alongside three top tether mounts on the seatbacks.

How Big is the Subaru Crosstrek’s Boot?

Boot space isn’t one of the strongest selling points of the Subaru Crosstrek, which has a boot measuring 291L in the standard petrol model, increasing to 315L in the Crosstrek Hybrid range.

Fold the 60:40 split rear seats down and you’ll unlock 883L of boot space in the Crosstrek petrol, or a maximum of 922L in the Crosstrek Hybrid when it’s time to lug around some sports gear or bulky cargo. 

• Crosstrek Petrol Boot: 291L

• Crosstrek Hybrid Boot: 315L

• Crosstrek Petrol Maximum Cargo: 883L

• Crosstrek Hybrid Maximum Cargo: 922L

Is it Safe?

As far as safety goes, the Subaru Crosstrek boasts one of the most comprehensive safety equipment lists anywhere on the market.

This is a feat made even more impressive by the amount of kit Subaru is happy to bundle in with the entry-level Crosstrek L.

As standard, the Crosstrek picks up forward and reverse autonomous emergency steering & braking, lane-keep assist with lane centring, lane-departure and sway alerts, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, a front-side radar, driver attention monitoring, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors and an additional camera scanning your forward surroundings.

Upgrading to the Crosstrek 2.0R adds Subaru’s Vision Assist package that incorporates a front-view monitor with surround-view and side-view monitors and high-beam assist.

Does the Subaru Crosstrek Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Subaru Crosstrek range remains unrated by ANCAP.

For reference, the Crosstrek has picked up a five-star rating from European-equivalent Euro NCAP assessors, though it’s worth noting that this does not apply to Australia.

The Crosstrek scored its five-star Euro NCAP safety rating after scoring the following marks:

• Adult Occupant Protection: 83%

• Child Occupant Protection: 90%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 85%

• Safety Assist: 72%

What Warranty Does the Subaru Crosstrek Come With?

Subaru offers the Crosstrek range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty alongside a 12-month roadside assist membership.

The company also gives buyers five years’ worth of capped-price servicing, with costs totalling $2,373.19 for five visits to the service centre.

Service intervals for the Subaru Crosstrek range stand at 12 months or 15,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Subaru Crosstrek Worth it?

The Subaru Crosstrek has a unique appeal in the world of small SUVs, offering outstanding versatility for the typically soft segment.

It remains one of the most affordable all-wheel drive vehicles available in Australia, with a base model that impresses on both the entertainment and safety technology fronts thanks to a significant overhaul.

As a result, we’d suggest you put the Subaru Crosstrek at the top of your shortlist if you’re in the market for a small SUV package that isn’t afraid to get its toes dirty on the weekend.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help you skip the waitlist and find you the best possible price with the help of our fleet-buying power.

Five Subaru Crosstrek Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol and hybrid engines available

3. Symmetrical AWD system fitted as standard

4. 6.5 - 7.2L/100km fuel economy figures (hybrid v petrol)

5. 1400kg braked towing capacity