Subaru Crosstrek 2023 Review

Subaru Australia has locked in a starting price of $34,990 plus on-road costs for the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek in a five-model line-up which includes three petrol models and two hybrids.

That opening figure applies to the entry-level 2.0L and marks an $1800 premium on the outgoing XV 2.0i-L it replaces.

From there, the Subaru Crosstrek model walk continues through Hybrid L (from $38,590 plus ORCs), 2.0R (from $38,490), 2.0S (from $41,490) and Hybrid S (from $45,090) grades.

The Crosstrek starting price is roughly aligned with other AWD-equipped small SUVs in Australia, such as the Hyundai Kona (from $37,100), Kia Seltos (from $39,300) and Mazda CX-30 (from $40,310).

Standard equipment highlights on the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek entry ‘L’ models (both 2.0L and Hybrid L) include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, dual-zone climate control, ‘Tricot’ cloth upholstery, X-Mode off-road mode and hill descent control.

The mid-spec 2.0R version adds separate X-Mode features, larger 18-inch alloys, self-levelling dynamic headlights, LED fog lights, premium cloth upholstery, leather-clad steering wheel and gear selector, sports pedals, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, heated front seats, 10-way driver’s seat power adjustment and a 360-degree camera.

Finally, the 2.0S and corresponding Hybrid S add an electric sunroof, leather-accented upholstery, satellite navigation and a 10-speaker audio system with Harman Kardon amplifier.

Every model is backed by Subaru Australia’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while service intervals are spaced every 12 months/15,000km.

According to Subaru, servicing will set owners back $2373 across the first five years or 60,000km.

There are 10 different colours available in the Crosstrek palette, with none attracting additional charges.

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is yet to be formally tested by the ANCAP safety authority.

However, the basic safety specs read well, with an expanded Subaru EyeSight suite which comprises all the usual goodies like autonomous emergency braking (AEB), steering assist, lane keeping system, brake light recognition, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, facial recognition, drowsiness warning and adaptive cruise control.

There’s also a 360-degree camera and rear parking sensors.

In practice, the Crosstrek active safety systems work well, though can at times be a little draconian when it comes to lane keeping and driver recognition.

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek employs an 11.6-inch infotainment interface featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging and a six-speaker sound system (with premium audio offerings in models higher in the food chain).

Separately, there’s a 4.2-inch digital display conveying important trip information in the instrument cluster, flanked by traditional analogue gauges.

The default powertrain in the new 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is a carryover 2.0-litre flat four-cylinder petrol engine developing 115kW/196Nm and driving all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and symmetrical all-wheel drive system.

Subaru says the petrol engine has been “enhanced”, but outputs remain unchanged.

Not quite available in time for the national launch, Subaru is also again offering an optional ($4500) 2.0-litre mild-hybrid powertrain good for 110kW of power and lineball 196Nm of torque (also the same as before).

A CVT auto is similarly used to transfer power to all four wheels in the hybrid models, except this time it only features seven manual-mode ‘ratios’ compared to the petrol’s eight.

The Crosstrek based on a revised version of the Subaru Global Platform, while suspension comprises a MacPherson strut arrangement on the front axle and a double-wishbone configuration on the rear.

Subaru lists towing capacity at 1400kg braked on the regular Crosstrek models, and 1270kg with the hybrid versions.

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek’s 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine claims a fuel consumption average of 7.2L/100km – higher than in the XV (7.0L/100km), which was only about 30kg lighter at the entry level.

What’s more, despite its hefty premium, the hybrid only pares back fuel consumption in the Crosstrek by 0.7L/100km, at 6.5L/100km claimed (unchanged compared to XV hybrid).

Subaru says it is working on better hybrid technology for the future.

At the national launch, we averaged 8.0L/100km in the non-electrified Crosstrek in a mix of conditions across a 300km loop – hardly a revelation for a new-generation small SUV.

The regular petrol Crosstrek is armed with a 63-litre fuel tank, while the hybrid fuel tank is reduced to 48 litres.

Put it this way: current Subaru XV owners are going to feel right at home in the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek.

That’s because the newcomer rides and drives in much the same way as its predecessor, despite revisions to the Subaru Global Platform (namely, a “refined” inner frame that the car-maker claims increases cabin strength and delivers a quieter and more comfortable ride).

We wouldn’t exactly call this a win, but it could come as comfort to 110,000 or so Aussies who’ve bought the XV new in the past… or perhaps plan to hold onto the predecessor for a little longer, such is the lack of wholesale change.

The driving experience is surefooted and user-friendly, with light controls, a compliant ride and faithful dynamics on Aussie roads.

A relatively open glasshouse, on-board cameras and decent wing mirrors help to cultivate confidence behind the wheel, and the Crosstrek aptly telegraphs key feedback to the driver with a nice mechanical veneer to the whole experience.

All told, it’s all very familiar and inoffensive, if a little plain.

Then there’s the engine. We believe Subaru has missed a huge opportunity in not deploying the new 2.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder from the new Subaru Outback XT.

By comparison, the Crosstrek’s 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder feels shy on outputs, particularly the inherent lack of torque and the high revs required to muster it (peak figure of 196Nm arrives at a heady 4000rpm).

The official 0-100km/h count takes 10.5sec – virtually aligning the 1493kg Crosstrek with a 2.0-tonne-plus diesel-powered dual-cab ute for accelerative performance.

The translation in practice is an engine that makes easy work of around-town movements and changes in speed, but soon becomes high-revving and noisy if you ask more from it.

Part of the issue stems from the CVT transmission, which happily facilitates regular conveyance but drones in protest during overtaking manoeuvres and uphill ascents.

In the face of the turbocharged competitors fitted with fast-shifting torque-converter transmissions, we reckon the Crosstrek could be better.

In any case, the Crosstrek feels most at home during open road passage, offering a tied-down and stable driving experience and a calm cabin environment (despite noticeable wind noise).

The ride and handling mix works well from a touring capacity, though the high ride height isn’t infallible: hit a mid-corner bump and you’ll soon elicit noticeable vertical movement, occasionally causing the rear of the vehicle to skip, upsetting outright balance.

It isn’t too hard to exceed the grip threshold of our tester’s Falken tyres in headier driving either. But all things considered the Crosstrek feels planted and surefooted.

Surprisingly so. The national launch of the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek included a fairly honest and robust fire trail section heavily eroded and rutted by recent rainfall.

Although the Crosstrek isn’t about to challenge dedicated 4x4s, the 220mm minimum ground clearance and X-Mode driving suite is surprisingly capable in tackling rugged terrain.

We stuck our mid-range 2.0R test vehicle in several situations where one wheel was lofted in the air, and the X-Mode suite aptly channelled drive to the opposite wheel on the same axle to get us out of trouble.

There was also ample clearance to navigate some fairly hefty erosion spots and ruts.

It all augurs nicely for those in search of far-flung surf breaks, mountain bike trails or camping spots.

Exterior tweaks aside, probably the biggest point of difference with the new 2023 Subaru Crosstrek from its XV predecessor is the interior – namely, the dashboard.

The new 11.6-inch centre touch-screen display brings the Crosstrek up to speed with other Subaru models including the Outback, offering easy navigation, excellent Apple CarPlay integration and fast-to-react software.

Better still, Subaru still offers a bank of traditional switchgear and dials, which saves users digging through needless menus and submenus on the road.

Older eyes may take issue with the incredibly small font on the Subaru’s instrument cluster, particularly the centre 4.2-inch digital display, which is flanked by more legible analogue gauges.

The rest of the XV interior offers ample space across both rows (considering the 4.49-metre length) together with strong incidental storage in the door pockets and a good assortment of USB-A and USB-C ports.

The XV offers family-friendly proportions in the rear seat area together with a relatively open glasshouse and ISOFIX attachment points on the outboard pews.

However, one key ingredient missing is the absence of rear air vents.

The cabin feels well put together and is devoid of squeaks and rattles. Quality, mostly hard-wearing materials adorn the contact points.

Further back, the boot area officially shrinks by 20 litres to 291 litres claimed. The boot floor is relatively flat and is underslung by a space-saver spare tyre in the petrol models.

Disappointingly, a tyre inflation kit is all that’s provided in the hybrid models.

The new 2023 Subaru Crosstrek represents a soft evolution of the Subaru XV that it replaces.

While it doesn’t exactly reset the needle for driving performance or refinement, the Crosstrek will largely appease Subaru’s core audience.

And with more than 100,000 XVs already on the road, it’s a sizeable one to begin with.

2023 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0R at a glance:
Price: $38,490 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 115kW/196Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 165g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested