Subaru Crosstrek
Summary
The Subaru Crosstrek is a small-medium crossover vehicle, which arrived in the UK in early 2024. It replaces the previous Subaru XV[1] model. The Crosstrek is based on the latest Subaru Impreza hatchback, which is not sold in the UK.
It’s only available with one powertrain, a 2.0-litre petrol engine with hybrid assistance. Although Subaru talks up the ‘hybrid’ element of the Crosstrek, in reality it can’t move more than a few metres on electrical power during stop-start driving. The electric motor’s main job is to support the petrol engine.
Being a more rugged version of a hatchback, rather than an SUV-style vehicle, the Crosstrek doesn’t have many direct rivals. The Ford Focus Active and Kia XCeed have a similar go-anywhere style, but the Subaru is far more capable than them if you actually want to go any further off-road than a gravel car park. As Carwow describes it, “If your idea of a twisting road is a rutted farm track, the Crosstrek is brilliant.”
Like most models in the Subaru family, the focus is on functionality rather than avant-garde design. The cabin is quite roomy, but looks a generation behind the latest crossovers from other brands. Auto Express describesthe dashboard as “old-fashioned”, with “buttons are scattered in hard-to-find places”.
The boot size is also disappointing, with What Car? saying “you’ll be hard-pressed to find a family SUV[2] with less boot space”. For most car buyers, ultimately, the Crosstrek’s off-roading capabilities are less important than on-road comfort, low running costs and urban practicality. In these areas, the new Subaru struggles to score many points.
As of November 2024, the Subaru Crosstrek holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 65%. It scores top marks for its excellent safety rating, but its CO2 emissions are only average, running costs are higher than comparable cars and media review scores have been poor. Being a new model, we won’t have any reliability data for some time to come.
Crosstrek highlights
- Far more capable off-road than rivals
- Excellent safety rating
- Decent cabin space
- Comfortable ride
- Subaru customer experience is historically good
Crosstrek lowlights
- Fuel consumption is poor
- ‘Hybrid’ branding is overhyped
- Only one engine and gearbox combination
- Interior ambience not as good as rivals
- Engine is noisy at speed
Key specifications
Body style: Small-medium crossoverEngines: petrol, mild hybrid assistancePrice: From GBP34,995 Launched: Winter 2023/24Last updated: N/AReplacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6.4 / 10“The Subaru Crosstrek retains the rugged styling of its siblings but struggles with an identity crisis in this category.”Author: Trinity FrancisRead review[3]
Auto Express
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The new Subaru Crosstrek is an oddball that sits somewhere between a hatch and small SUV, but it’s hard to recommend it over the best in either class.”Author: Richard IngramRead review[4]
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Japanese brand’s jacked-up Impreza brings off-road capability to a hatchback canvas.”Author: Matt SaundersRead review[5]
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Subaru Crosstrek is pretty good to drive and amazing off-road, but a poor engine, rubbish economy and high price tag consign it to niche status.”Author: Tom WiltshireRead review[6]
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 4.4 / 10“The Subaru Crosstrek is an improvement over the XV – but it doesn’t go far enough.”Author: Luke WilkinsonRead review[7]
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“It might be worth weighing up the importance of four-wheel drive when considering the Subaru Crosstrek.
Yes, there are plenty of similarly-styled SUVs out there that boast better driving dynamics and cost less, but they would leave you stranded if faced with tougher terrain. The Crosstrek most definitely wouldn’t.”Author: Maxine AshfordRead review[8]
The Telegraph
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“An old-fashioned feel might be a disadvantage against more modern rivals, but when rugged 4×4 ability is essential, this is a hidden gem.”Author: Alex RobbinsRead review[9]
Top Gear
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Crosstrek is a proper old school, rufty-tufy, go anywhere small SUV that is sure to appease the Subaru faithful.”Author: Peter RawlinsRead review[10]
What Car?
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 4 / 10“The Subaru Crosstrek is strong off road but can’t match rival family SUVs in other areas.”Author: Dan JonesRead review[11]
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP[12]
Adult protection: 83%Child protection: 90%Vulnerable road users: 85%Safety assist: 72%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP[13] No eco rating
As of November 2024, the Subaru Crosstrek has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy[14] No reliability rating
As of November 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Subaru Crosstrek to generate a reliability rating. The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Crosstrek, we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data[15]
Fuel consumptionAverageScoreVariationScoreHybrid models37 mpgD37 – 37 mpgD – DCO2 outputAverageScoreVariationScoreHybrid models174 g/kmC174 – 174 g/kmC – CInsurance groupAverageScoreVariationScoreAll models20A20 – 20A – AService and maintenanceCostScoreYear 1GBP247BYear 2GBP597BYear 3GBP1,023BYear 4GBP1,207BYear 5GBP1,667BOverallGBP4,741B
The Subaru Crosstrek is not as cheap as you might hope to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data. Fuel consumption is poor, especially since the petrol engine does have a level of electrical hybrid support (although it’s a long way short of a full hybrid, so it can’t run for miles on electricity alone). The good news is that insurance premiums should be very competitive, while servicing and maintenance bills for the first five years should also be good.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Subaru Crosstrek, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Citroen C5 Aircross | Ford Kuga | Honda CR-V | Hyundai Tucson | Jeep Compass | KGM Korando | Kia Sportage | Mazda CX-5 | MG HS | Mini Countryman | Nissan Qashqai | Peugeot 3008 | Renault Austral | SEAT Ateca | Skoda Karoq | Suzuki S-Cross | Toyota C-HR | Vauxhall Grandland | Volkswagen Tiguan[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Subaru Crosstrek and XV models at The Car Expert
Buy a Subaru Crosstrek
If you’re looking to buy a new or used Subaru Crosstrek, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Lease a Subaru Crosstrek
If you’re looking to lease a new Subaru Crosstrek, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more[35]
Personal contract hire deals from Rivervale Leasing. Find out more[36]
Subscribe to a Subaru Crosstrek
If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?[37])
References
- ^ Subaru XV (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ family SUV (www.whatcar.com)
- ^ Read review (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Read review (www.autoexpress.co.uk)
- ^ Read review (www.autocar.co.uk)
- ^ Read review (www.carwow.co.uk)
- ^ Read review (www.parkers.co.uk)
- ^ Read review (www.regit.cars)
- ^ Read review (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Read review (www.topgear.com)
- ^ Read review (www.whatcar.com)
- ^ Euro NCAP (www.euroncap.com)
- ^ Green NCAP (www.greenncap.com)
- ^ MotorEasy (www.motoreasy.com)
- ^ Clear Vehicle Data (www.wholelifecost.uk.com)
- ^ Citroen C5 Aircross (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Ford Kuga (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Honda CR-V (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Hyundai Tucson (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Jeep Compass (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ KGM Korando (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Kia Sportage (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Mazda CX-5 (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ MG HS (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Mini Countryman (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Nissan Qashqai (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Peugeot 3008 (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Renault Austral (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ SEAT Ateca (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Skoda Karoq (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Suzuki S-Cross (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Toyota C-HR (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Vauxhall Grandland (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Volkswagen Tiguan (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
- ^ Find out more (www.carparisonleasing.co.uk)
- ^ Find out more (www.rivervaleleasing.co.uk)
- ^ What’s a car subscription? (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)