Subaru Crosstrek review
This high-riding crossover is undermined by limited powertrain options and poor fuel costs
Our opinion on the Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is as much of an oddball as its XV predecessor, and while it’s not a bad car overall, its quirky character makes it a tough sell against established hatchback rivals.
It’s also undermined by its limited range of powertrains (well, there’s only one) and choice of just two trim levels. However, there’s no denying the appeal of its excellent four-wheel drive system and surprising off-road ability. If you need a compact family car for all seasons and aren't bothered about performance or fuel costs, then the Subaru might be worth a look. Moreover, the Driver Power survey has also previously suggested that owners love them.
About the Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is a car that refuses to be easily categorised. Essentially, it’s a compact family hatchback, but its raised ride height and SUV styling cues mean it falls into the crossover class. Yet it packs a genuine four-wheel drive system and serious off-road ability that few rivals can match.
Seeing as we’re living in the age of electrification, Subaru has fitted the Crosstrek with mild-hybrid assistance. However, this doesn’t exactly make for groundbreaking performance or efficiency.
Our expert road testers have driven both variations of the Subaru Crosstrek since it first arrived in the UK. Subaru owners appear to be a satisfied bunch, too, as the brand has previously topped the Driver Power best manufacturer leaderboard.
Performance & driving experience
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There’s only one engine option for the Subaru - a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol that uses the brand’s trademark ‘flat-four’ cylinder layout. For the Crosstrek, it gets mild hybrid assistance in the form of a 16bhp electric motor, taking the total power output to just 134bhp with 184Nm of torque.
Used - available now
2024 Subaru
Crosstrek
8,370 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £27,495
2024 Subaru
Crosstrek
15,028 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L
Cash £21,999Its on-road performance is hit and miss, but it’s off the beaten track that the Crosstrek really shines. Subaru’s tried and tested all-wheel drive set-up is among the very best in the business and here it combines with the clever X-Mode off-road setting to deliver impressive go-anywhere ability and traction in treacherous conditions. Like many dedicated off-roaders, it includes hill descent control, meaning the Crosstrek can scrabble safely down the steepest and slipperiest slopes. If you live in a rural area or somewhere often exposed to extreme weather, this machine will be a confidence-inspiring choice.
| Model | Power | 0-62mph | Top speed |
| Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i e-Boxer Limited | 134bhp | 10.8 secs | 123mph |
| Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i e-Boxer Touring | 134bhp | 10.8 secs | 123mph |
Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed
One thing is certain with the Crosstrek - this isn’t the car for owners who relish driving fast. While its on-paper 0-62mph time of 10.8 seconds is average for the class, the Subaru feels slower on the road.
At the heart of the Crosstrek’s sluggishness is its stepped Lineartronic CVT gearbox, which lacks the responsiveness of a traditional torque converter or twin-clutch automatic arrangement.
In other applications, this gearbox delivers reasonably refined and totally smooth progress, but here, it sends the engine revs soaring under even modest throttle applications. Yet the increased commotion doesn’t come with a corresponding uplift in performance.
There are paddles behind the steering wheel, but they are best left alone because they merely mimic the gearchanges of a conventional gearbox. Instead, it’s best to leave the transmission to its own devices and take a steady approach to progress.
Country road driving and handling
It’s not as nimble as a standard family hatchback, but the Crosstrek does feel more agile than many other crossover models. The steering is accurate and decently weighted, while there’s more than enough grip, and surprisingly little body roll when pushing on. It’s not fun, but the Subaru is composed and capable
Motorway driving and long-distance comfort
When taking things easy, the Crosstrek rewards with a supple ride over bumpy roads, and it soaks up motorway undulations with ease. However, it’s not the most refined car at higher speeds. Road noise is noticeable, and the engine seems to hum away in the background more than you might expect; the Crosstrek definitely doesn’t offer the kind of long-distance cruising experience of a Volkswagen Golf, or even an SUV rival like the Hyundai Tucson.
MPG & running costs
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Despite the addition of mild-hybrid assistance, the Subaru’s e-Boxer engine fails to deliver the sort of efficiency we’d expect. With just a 16bhp electric motor and 0.6kWh battery, the Crosstrek is rarely able to run on electricity alone, which means the 2.0-litre petrol is usually running.
Factor in the fairly bluff bodystyle, raised suspension and power-sapping permanent four-wheel drive system, and it’s no surprise to find the Crosstrek only claims 36.8mpg on the WLTP combined cycle. By contrast, the faster Mazda CX-30 promises up to 49.6mpg.
As you’d expect, the Subaru’s below-average fuel returns are matched to high CO2 emissions of 174g/km.
| Model | MPG | CO2 | Insurance group |
| Crosstrek 2.0i e-Boxer Limited | 36.8mpg | 174g/km | 20 |
| Crosstrek 2.0i e-Boxer Touring | 36.8mpg | 174g/km | 20 |
Insurance groups
Both versions of the Subaru fall into group 20 out of 50 for insurance, which isn’t scarily high for a beefy off-roader. However, several crossover rivals do offer cheaper coverage, including the Mazda CX-30 from group 15 and the Kia XCeed from group 11.
Tax
Despite a modicum of electrification, the Subaru Crosstrek doesn’t benefit from any massive tax breaks. However, one plus point is that it does avoid the £40,000 luxury car tax bracket.
Business buyers looking to save on their company car tax will be best served by an electric car. The Subaru Solterra is the Crosstreks’s closest relation, but this is much bigger and far more expensive at well over £50,000. It might be worth considering the Jeep Avenger instead, as this is a small SUV with some off-roading ability.
Depreciation
According to our market data, the Crosstrek should maintain between 48 and 50 per cent of its original value after three years or 36,000 miles. It’s the base Limited model that’s the stronger of the two, but both outperform the Mazda CX-30 here, as that only manages 40 to 44 per cent after the same period. The Kia XCeed also falls short, at only 39 to 40 per cent.
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Interior, design & technology
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You’d struggle to call the Crosstrek handsome, but its round lines and smoother surfacing make it look less ungainly than the Subaru XV that it replaced. With 220mm of ground clearance, the Subaru has genuine off-road credentials, while the tough plastic body cladding and roof rails add an extra dash of rough-and-tumble appeal.
Whichever version you choose, you won’t feel shortchanged when it comes to standard kit. Despite its name, the Limited comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, power-folding mirrors and automatic lights and wipers. Inside, there’s the brand’s 11.6-inch infotainment system, heated seats and dual-zone climate control.
Pay the extra for the Touring, and you’re treated to larger 18-inch wheels and an electric glass sunroof, while the cabin has electrically adjustable front seats, leather trim, plus built-in sat-nav for the infotainment.
Interior and dashboard design
The interior design lacks the slickness of a Skoda Karoq, and while many will welcome the use of traditional analogue dials for the instruments, they do look a little old-fashioned alongside modern TFT alternatives. Subaru has at least resisted the temptation to house all the minor controls in the infotainment touchscreen, but some of the physical buttons are scattered in hard-to-find places.
Materials and build quality
Subaru has been attempting to push upmarket, but on the evidence of the Crosstrek’s cabin, there’s still some work to be done. It’s robustly built and there’s a sense that all the fixtures and fittings will hold together for decades, but the plastics lack the rich, soft-touch appeal of its European rivals.
Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo
Subaru has fitted the Crosstrek with an 11.6-inch portrait display, and this comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, plus voice recognition and a plethora of USB ports front and rear. You’ll need to opt for the flashier Touring spec for integrated sat-nav, though.
The system looks good and is responsive enough, while the major menus are easy to find and navigate. Even so, despite its crisp graphics the system looks and feels dated compared to several rival set-ups like those from Volkswagen Group.
Boot space & practicality
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The Subaru Crosstrek is quite a big car, especially by both crossover and hatchback standards. However, size isn’t everything as several rivals beat it in terms of cabin and boot space. It’s still an acceptable family car candidate, but there’s no shortage of roomier options.
Dimensions and size
Despite being taller and longer than both the Mazda CX-30 and Kia XCeed, the Crosstrek doesn’t come close to either of them for boot space.
| Dimensions comparison | |||
| Model | Subaru Crosstrek | Mazda CX-30 | Kia XCeed |
| Length | 4,495mm | 4,395mm | 4,395mm |
| Width | 1,800mm | 1,795mm | 1,826mm |
| Height | 1,600mm | 1,540mm | 1,495mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,670mm | 2,660mm | 2,650mm |
| Boot space | 315 litres | 430 litres | 426 litres |
Seats & passenger space
The Subaru’s bulky external dimensions translate into a roomy cabin, with rear seat occupants getting more legroom than they’ll find in a Volkswagen Golf. However, surprisingly for such a tall car, there’s actually less headroom for those in the back - although only the tallest occupants will struggle.
Up front, the Crosstrek impresses with its space, because both the driver and passenger get plenty of room to stretch out. The seats are supportive and comfortable (heating is standard on all models), and there’s plenty of adjustment, especially on the range-topping Touring, which gets electric adjustment on both front seats (10-way for the driver and eight-way for the passenger). You sit slightly higher than in a normal hatchback, while the Subaru’s generous glass area means great visibility for all occupants.
There’s a decent amount of storage space provided by large door bins, a well-shaped glovebox, and a big cubby ahead of the gearlever that’s ideal for storing a smartphone. The front seat occupants also get a pair of cupholders plus a deep, lidded cubby between the seats that doubles as an armrest. Those in the rear get a fold down armrest housing a couple of cupholders.
Boot space
The Crosstrek’s boot is one of the smallest in the crossover class at 315 litres. Despite being a smaller car, the Mazda CX-30 blows its rival out of the water here with 430 litres at its disposal.
The Subaru’s hatchback opening is large, and there are no awkward intrusions, but the need to package the hybrid battery under the floor means the load bay is shallow, and there’s no space for hidden storage. Folding the 60/40 split-fold rear seat increases capacity to 1,314-litres, and the seatbacks lie flush to create a totally flat floor.
Towing
Subaru claims a braked towing capacity of 1,270kg for the Crosstrek, which trails the 1,500kg limit offered by most rivals. However, with its excellent four-wheel drive system, CVT gearbox and raised ride height, the Japanese machine will be a great choice for those who regularly tow in slippery conditions, such as through muddy fields.
Reliability & safety
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One area where the Crosstrek steals a march on rivals is safety. Both trim levels come with a comprehensive array of standard passive and active features that helped deliver a full five-star Euro NCAP rating. That’s especially impressive given the Crosstrek has been tested in 2024 under the safety organisation’s latest and toughest testing regime.
All models get a full complement of airbags, including one to protect the driver’s knees. Just as important, the Crosstrek features Subaru’s novel Eyesight driver assistance technology. Now in its fourth generation, this clever kit features a pair of cameras that sit on either side of the rearview mirror and read the road ahead. This setup delivers autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. Better still, it works well, offering smoother interventions than the systems used by many rivals.
Overall, the Subaru feels solidly screwed together with a robust feel that suggests years of dependable service lay ahead. It lacks the premium feel of a Volkswagen Golf or Skoda Octavia (the doors shut with a tinny clang, and the interior plastics feel cheap), but there’s a depth of engineering to the Crosstrek that suggests it’ll take plenty of punishment.
That sense has previously been backed up by owners, too. While neither the Crosstrek or Subaru brand appeared in the most recent Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, Subaru was voted as the best manufacturer back in 2024.
| Euro NCAP safety ratings | |
| Euro NCAP safety rating | 5 stars (2024) |
| Adult occupant protection | 83% |
| Child occupant protection | 90% |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 85% |
| Safety assist | 72% |
Buying, prices and deals
- Best buy: Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i e-Boxer Limited
The Subaru Crosstrek line-up is a slim one, but the base model is so well equipped that we don’t see much point in going for the range-topper. The Limited comes with virtually all of the same kit, the same powertrain and will set you back around £36,000 rather than £38,100.
Whichever trim level takes your fancy, though, you can save money by building your new Subaru Crosstrek with the Auto Express Buy A Car service. We also have a range of new Crosstrek models in stock, and can help you to sell your car.
Subaru Crosstrek alternatives
With its mix of hatchback dimensions and off-road ability, the Subaru Crosstrek doesn’t fit neatly into any niches. Much like the brand’s other models, the Subaru Forester and Subaru Outback, this is a left field choice, but one with some unique advantages like its off-roading ability.
That said, in terms of its SUV-inspired styling the Subaru is similar to models such as the Kia XCeed and Mazda CX-30. These two cars are a bit more spacious than the Subaru, but neither is anywhere near as ready to take on the rough stuff.
In terms of traditional hatchbacks, the Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Octavia and Honda Civic are all similar in size to the Crosstrek. All of them feel more upmarket and are better to drive, while the Honda also benefits from the brand’s excellent hybrid powertrain - although, as with the Subaru’s limited engine line-up, this is the only unit on offer.
Subaru Crosstrek pictures
Key updates of the Subaru Crosstrek review
10 August 2026: Latest driving impressions and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Like most manufacturers, Subaru offers a three-year and 60,000 miles warranty on the Crosstrek. However, the hybrid battery features a longer eight-year/100,000 mile guarantee.
Deals on the Crosstrek and alternatives
