The brand new-for-2023 Subaru Crosstrek replaces the XV in Australia however does the identical factor – it’s a high-riding hatchback that guarantees a little bit of journey, with chunky design and commonplace all-wheel drive.
This stays a degree of distinction in a small SUV phase led by urban-focused rivals. Consider automobiles just like the Mitsubishi ASX, Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Nissan Qashqai and Toyota Corolla Cross.
Subaru’s engineers have made a collection of enhancements reasonably than re-writing the script. The evolutionary result’s typical from an organization with significantly excessive levels of brand name loyalty.
Right here we drive what’s the most interesting Crosstrek for value-shoppers, and proper now who isn’t that? It’s the entry variant in a five-model line-up and the one one you would possibly nab for below $40,000 on the highway.
It’s additionally in fairly good provide, in response to Subaru, in contrast to the dearer grades.
How a lot does the Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L price?
Our base mannequin’s $34,990 record value interprets to an anticipated drive-away determine of about $40,000, with the precise determine relying on the place you reside and which color you need.
That’s fairly affordable truly, significantly given the usual all-wheel drive since many rivals solely supply AWD on the extra luxurious spec ranges, and in some circumstances by no means.
This base Crosstrek could have a leaner record of options in some facets, but compares favourably to the Kia Seltos Sport+ AWD ($39,300), Mazda CX-30 G25 Touring AWD ($40,310), and Toyota Corolla Cross GXL AWD Hybrid ($42,250).
There’s little question that is one automotive with a novel promoting level and a little bit of character, and that’s not one thing all automobiles in the present day can profess to supply.
2023 Subaru Crosstrek pricing:
Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L: $34,990Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0R: $38,490Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0S: $41,490Subaru Crosstrek AWD Hybrid L: $38,590Subaru Crosstrek AWD Hybrid S: $45,090
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L like on the within?
Even the bottom Crosstrek unlocks as you pull the deal with, as long as the important thing fob is in your pocket, and begins by way of button reasonably than twisting the important thing within the ignition barrel. Not all entry-level rivals supply this.
The seats alter manually for peak and attain, and supply fairly good levels of assist. Curiously the sample resembles a bunch of Mercedes-Benz three-pointed stars, or is that simply me?
You don’t get a leather-wrapped steering wheel on this base automotive, with the plastic lending an actual ‘rental-spec’ really feel. I suppose on the plus aspect, my wedding ceremony band didn’t scratch it…
In typical Subaru type this wheel’s spokes are stuffed with buttons and rocker switches, however whereas all of it seems a bit complicated at first, the structure is definitely very intuitive.
Working example, there separate controls for the adaptive cruise and the velocity limiter – in contrast to so many automobiles that make you toggle between these features by way of the identical button. Zero ambiguity right here.
The devices are analogue and flank a small digital show together with your velocity, and a diagram for the lane-keeping support. The structure is all type over perform.
Other than the plastic trim inlays that look slightly like carbon-fibre, there’s not a lot in right here that makes the inside design stand out. It’s fairly staid, but additionally fairly smart.
One huge enchancment over the XV is the Crosstrek’s 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, though the real-estate is considerably wasted with out full-size sat-nav maps or a number of digital camera views (within the base mannequin).
Regardless it affords easy menu tiles, wi-fi Apple CarPlay, and a few cool graphics exhibiting you issues like torque distribution between the axles, and your present roll angle.
It’s a bit unlucky that features corresponding to fan velocity and the transmission Auto Maintain are buried in sub menus, however at the very least the temperature controls nonetheless take the types of buttons.
Additional gripes embrace the tinny sounding commonplace audio system and the design of the usual 10W wi-fi charging pad – which isn ‘t rubberised, and subsequently susceptible to sending your cellphone sliding round in corners, thereby dropping its charging standing.
The centre tunnel is trimmed in onerous and cheap-feeling plastic trims however is at the very least sturdily mounted to the ground. Cabin storage features a beneficiant console and glovebox, and bottle holders in every door.
The again seats in the meantime supply fairly good knee-room by class requirements, with my 194cm body capable of match again there, whereas my head simply scraped the roof. It actually affords extra back-seat area than one thing like a Toyota C-HR, and the aspect home windows let plenty of gentle in.
Nevertheless, there are not any rear air vents or USB ports.
The boot quantity with the 60:40 folding rear seats up and in use, is a fairly modest 291 litres, which is smaller than most competitor SUVs on account of the shallow ground – below which sits a brief space-saver spare wheel and tyre.
It’s nicely off the likes of the Corolla Cross (380L minimal), and it will possibly’t even match the Mazda CX-30 (317L minimal).
What’s below the bonnet?
The engine on this base mannequin is a 115kW/196Nm 2.0-litre horizontally opposed (Boxer) four-cylinder petrol engine.
It’s mated to a CVT automated with paddle shifters and Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system with lively torque splitting. It comes commonplace with idle cease/begin and a button on the wheel to sharpen engine responses at low speeds.
The AWD system has an X-Mode button that optimises the powertrain and traction management responses for slippery surfaces, in addition to hill-descent management.
Subaru claims gasoline consumption of seven.2 litres per 100km on the mixed cycle and it will possibly run on 91 RON petrol. The 63-litre tank additionally guarantees a protracted driving vary. It’s rated to tow as much as 1400kg (braked).
There’s additionally a mild-hybrid possibility accessible for an extra $3600. This doesn’t make a lot of a discount to gasoline use on the mixed cycle (6.5L/100km) however does carry out 20 per cent higher in city cycle testing (7.4L/100km versus 9.4L/100km).
How does the Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L drive?
The naturally-aspirated petrol engine comes with a easy cease/begin system, however don’t count on to blast off the road shortly.
The tempo off the mark is leisurely and the CVT elicits a monotone driveline drone.
Nevertheless when you get larger up into the rev band the response improves (energy peaks at 6000rpm), and the transmission mimics conventional stepped ratios by way of paddles in order for you it to.
The gasoline use declare was pretty correct although, with my freeway common sitting at 6.5L/100km, climbing to eight.0L/100km on the blended loop.
The complete-time AWD system is superb although, and extra succesful than the Yokohama Geolander tyres permit it to be when inventory.
With 220mm of clearance, X-Mode that tweaks the soundness management to go well with a given terrain, and hill-descent management, it’s succesful on trails.
It’s not a Suzuki Jimny or Toyota LandCruiser, nevertheless it’s much more confidence-inspiring off the bitumen than any rival. On a aspect observe, larger grades of Crosstrek truly include a second X-Mode program.
Driving dynamics on the highway are additionally fairly good, balancing trip consolation and physique management, which means it feels composed and car-like in corners and pretty unruffled over enlargement joints and potholes.
Intrusion of noise, vibration and harshness can be down.
One commentary is the feather-light electrical energy steering, which doesn’t add a lot in the way in which of resistance in additional dynamic driving.
The rear suspension is unbiased, within the type of double-wishbones, which can clarify that pokey boot.
The takeaway right here is that the Crosstrek’s chassis AWD system may simply deal with a gutsier engine, like a small-displacement turbo with extra low-down torque.
What do you get?
Crosstrek AWD 2.0L + Hybrid L highlights:
All-wheel drive17-inch alloy wheels House-saver spare wheelTyre stress monitoringLED headlightsDusk-sensing headlightsRain-sensing wipers Black roof railsPrivacy glass Rear parking sensorsCloth seat trimManual seat adjustmentsDual-zone climate-control11.6-inch portrait touchscreenWireless Apple CarPlay, Android AutoUSB-A and USB-C portsWireless cellphone charger6-speaker audio systemDigital radio Reversing digital camera
To see what options you get within the larger specification ranges, learn our range-wide 2023 Subaru Crosstrek value and specs story.
Color selections embrace Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Magnetite Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Pure Pink, Offshore Blue Metallic, Solar Blaze Pearl, Oasis Blue, Sapphire Blue Pearl, and Horizon Blue Pearl.
We also needs to observe the significantly giant vary of Subaru equipment to intercourse up your Crosstrek, together with varied varieties of rooftop cross bars and STI Efficiency design elements.
Is the Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L protected?
The Crosstrek is but to obtain an ANCAP security ranking, however comes commonplace with loads of driver-assist aids powered by Subaru’s EyeSight digital camera system.
These options all appeared to work fairly nicely in our expertise, with the automobile capable of steer itself round gradual corners, mirror the velocity of the automotive forward, and offer you a stern warning if the onboard digital camera spots you not paying consideration.
It even chimes should you’re on the site visitors lights and the automotive forward strikes off with out you following go well with.
One other good function, which is changing into extra widespread throughout many manufacturers now, is the clever velocity limiter. As soon as set, it robotically adjusts to a modified velocity restrict supplied the digital camera recognises the roadside velocity signal.
Commonplace security options embrace:
9 airbagsDual entrance, twin entrance aspect, twin curtainDriver’s kneeFar sideFront passenger seat cushionEyeSight Driver Help:Entrance Pre-Collision Braking (AEB)Adaptive cruise controlLane preserve assistLane centring assistLane departure preventionLane departure warningLane Sway WarningLead Car Begin AlertPre-Collision Braking System (AEB)Pre-Collision Throttle ManagementAutonomous emergency steeringBrake gentle recognitionIntelligent velocity limiterSpeed limiterSpeed signal recognitionWide-angle monocular cameraNew stereo digital camera with improved picture recognitionSubaru Imaginative and prescient Help:Blind-spot monitoringEyeSight Help MonitorLane change assistRear cross-traffic alertRear parking sensorsReverse Computerized Braking (AEB)Entrance aspect radarDriver Monitoring System – Driver Focus:Distraction warningDrowsiness warningFacial recognitionClimate management settingMID show
Crosstrek 2.0R provides:
Subaru Imaginative and prescient Help:Excessive-beam assist360-degree cameras Facet View Monitor
How a lot does the Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L price to run?
The Crosstrek is roofed by a five-year, limitless kilometre guarantee and 12 months of free Subaru Roadside Help.
The corporate affords capped-price servicing and has made efforts of late to make its servicing prices extra in-line with rivals.
Service pricing:
12 months or 15,000km: $346.2524 months or 30,000km: $473.4736 months or 45,000km: $420.6048 months or 60,000km: $771.7460 months or 75,000km: $361.13
That is a mean value of $475 per go to for traditional scheduled servicing prices solely.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L
The Subaru Crosstrek affords one thing many rivals don’t: character.
Granted, just like the XV, it stays underpowered and doesn’t set any new benchmarks for boot area and back-seat consolation. And this base grade, whereas priced nicely, is intentionally much less interesting than the following variant up.
That being stated, should you just like the chunky seems and the Subaru model promise (soft-road capacity paramount) resonates with you, then this automotive will in all chance make you a contented buyer.
Subaru loyalists and people who search a small crossover with a way of journey can be fairly well-served.
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