Subaru Crosstrek – What you need to know

The Subaru Crosstrek was launched in Australia in 2023, marking the Japanese brand’s third-generation small SUV but switching to a new name – Crosstrek – after previously being sold here as the XV.

Powering the Crosstrek range is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, available with either natural aspiration or electrification (mild hybrid), driving all four wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Five full-time variants make up the Subaru Crosstrek range, kicking off with the 2.0L, then the 2.0R, followed by the 2.0S. A special-edition 2.0X model was also launched during 2024, slotting in between the 2.0L and 2.0R.

The hybrid pair are badged Hybrid L and Hybrid S.

Crosstrek prices range from $34,990 to $45,090 plus on-road costs.

So, which one is right for you?

Kicking off at $34,990 plus ORCs is the entry-level Crosstrek 2.0L with its 2.0-litre non-hybrid petrol engine, CVT and all-wheel drive.

It comes with the following standard features:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• 11.6-inch infotainment screen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio
• Cloth trim
• Reversing camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Adaptive cruise control
• Dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning

Good news! There’s no need to stump up more cash as virtually everything is included – even the solid, mica, pearl and metallic paint choices, which make up the 10-colour palette.

There’s a broad range of accessories for the Crosstrek, too, including packs that bundle in the most popular items. Among them is an Explorer pack ($1878.30) comprising a tow bar, cargo tray, cargo step panel, weather shields and carpet mat set.

Subaru Crosstrek safety and driver assistance

The Subaru Crosstrek features a large array of safety equipment as standard, from seven airbags to Subaru’s comprehensive EyeSight driver assist suite.

The latter includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), steering assist, brake light recognition, emergency lane keep/change assist, lane centring function, lane departure warning/prevention, blind spot monitoring and speed sign recognition.

There’s also lead vehicle start alert, rear cross traffic alert, pre-collision braking/assist, tyre pressure monitoring, driver drowsiness/distraction warnings, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, dusk-sensing headlights and a rear-view camera.

Taking a step up to the Crosstrek R adds an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, front view monitor, automatic high beam assist, 360-degree camera and side view monitors.

Both hybrids also gain a pedestrian alert system.

Three child seat anchor points and two ISOFIX points come standard in all Crosstrek variants.

The Crosstrek has not yet been tested by the independent safety authority, ANCAP.

All Subaru Crosstrek models have an 11.6-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Siri-compatible wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and AM/FM/digital radio, played through six speakers.

There are steering-mounted controls for audio and phone functions, Bluetooth music and phone connectivity, voice recognition operation and USB-A and USB-C ports in both the front and rear seats.

Within the instrument cluster is a 4.2-inch multi-information display.

Forking out for a Crosstrek S snares a 10-speaker Harman Kardon system with an amplifier and satellite navigation.

Every Subaru Crosstrek has remote tailgate unlocking, cargo area lights, map lights, vanity mirrors in the sun shades, dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, power windows with auto up/down, steering wheel paddle shifts, a rear seat arm rest along with cup and bottle holders in both rows.

All variants have a 60/40-split folding rear seat, retractable cargo blind and black carpet throughout, with the Crosstrek L wearing charcoal fabric seat trim.

A step up to the Crosstrek R adds premium grey or charcoal cloth trim, sports pedals and a leather-clad steering wheel and gear shift lever.

For leather-accented seats you need to go for the Crosstrek S as a minimum, and they come in black or charcoal.

Do you want power-adjustable seats? Sign up for a Crosstrek R as a minimum and its eight-way powered driver’s seat with electric lumbar support and a heating function for both front seats.

Stepping outside, every Subaru has auto on/off headlights that are self-levelling in the Crosstrek R and above and the Hybrid S.

While the Crosstrek L and Hybrid L make do with halogen daytime running lights, they are LEDs on all other variants.

Featured on the Crosstrek R, S and Hybrid S are front cornering lights and LED fog lights. And aside from the Crosstrek L, all other models have steering-responsive headlights.

Powered door mirrors with a folding function are also standard, but if you want the door mirrors heated, sign up for a Crosstrek R at least, which brings with it a de-icing function for the wipers.

How about a tilt and sliding sunroof? Only the Crosstrek S or Hybrid S have this feature.

Selectable drive modes? While all Subaru Crosstrek models are all-wheel drive, every Crosstrek has a two-mode SI function and X-mode, which also has two setting in the Crosstrek R, S and Hybrid S.

Is privacy glass on the list? The good news here is it’s standard across the range along with body-coloured door handles, a rear spoiler, wheel-arch and side cladding. All Crosstreks have roof rails, black on the Crosstrek L and Hybrid L and dark grey on the others.

Setting the models apart are the wheels, with the Crosstrek L running 17-inch alloy wheels and the rest of the range rolling along on 18-inch alloys. Non-hybrids come with a temporary steel spare wheel, while the hybrids make do with a puncture repair kit.

As found in the previous Subaru XV, the regular Subaru Crosstrek models use a 2.0-litre flat four-cylinder petrol engine that develops 115kW/196Nm and drives all four wheels via a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and symmetrical all-wheel drive system.

The mild-hybrid variants add a small electric motor housed at the rear of the CVT and a 118-volt battery (located under the rear cargo floor). The main benefit is improved economy – 6.5L/100km on the combined cycle, compared to 7.2L/100km for non-hybrid models – while Subaru also claims it boosts driveability with instantaneous torque.

Maximum torque produced in the Crosstrek Hybrid is the same 196Nm, while power is slightly lower at 110kW. A CVT and AWD is similarly employed, although the transmission has seven manual-mode ‘ratios’ compared to the petrol models’ eight.

All engines run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel, but the tank capacity in the hybrid models is restricted to 48 litres – down from 63 litres in the others.

The compact five-seater Subaru Crosstrek measures 4495mm long, 1800mm wide and 1600mm tall. Wheelbase length remains at 2670mm.

It offers a ground clearance of up to 220mm.

The maximum braked towing capacity is 1400kg on regular petrol models and 1270kg on hybrid versions. Tow ball download is 140kg on non-hybrids, dropping to 127kg for the electrified twins.

Cargo capacity in the Subaru Crosstrek is 291 litres (non-hybrid) and 315 litres (hybrid). With the 60/40-split folding rear seats lowered, the cargo space grows to 1278/1314L respectively.

The Subaru Crosstrek feels very familiar to the XV, only more up to date.

The horizontally-opposed ‘boxer’ four-cylinder engine has a distinct exhaust note and the CVT works well with the engine in both regular and hybrid guise.

If the budget is the guiding force, the Crosstrek 2.0R with its longer features list for a little more outlay would be my pick.

If I had more money to spend, I’d take the step up to the Crosstrek 2.0S – it’s the burger with the lot. The extra outlay for the mild-hybrid models is harder to justify.

How much does the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek cost?
2.0L – $34,990
2.0R – $38,490
2.0S – $41,490
Hybrid L – $38,590
Hybrid S – $45,09
*Prices exclude on-road costs