Subaru Crosstrek 2.0L 2023 review: snapshot

Prices have risen significantly with the change from XV to Crosstrek, so the entry price to the range is $1800 more than where the XV ended up in December 2022, but is more than $5000 dearer than it was 12 months ago.

The Crosstrek line-up begins with the 2.0L at $34,990 (excluding on-road costs), which comes well-equipped for the price. Exterior highlights include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, dusk-sensing headlights and black roof rails. Inside you’ll find cloth-trimmed seats, dual-zone climate control, USB-C and USB-A connections, a six-speaker stereo and an 11.6-inch tablet-style multimedia touchscreen with compatible wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a wireless charging pad.

There’s also a lengthy list of safety features as part of Subaru’s EyeSight suite. Some of the highlights of the extensive array of safety features includes Front Pre-Collision Baking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Lane Keep Assist, Lane Centring Function, Lane Departure Prevention, Lane Departure Warning, Autonomous Emergency Steering and Speed Sign Recognition. There’s also a driver monitoring system, which brings a distraction warning, drowsiness warning and facial recognition, as part of this very comprehensive safety kit.

The design of the Crosstrek follows the same formula as the XV, so it will be familiar to previous or current owners. That means a real ‘high-riding hatchback’ feel to the cabin, with good space up front and in the second row.

The front seats have been redesigned for the Crosstrek and do feel comfortable and supportive, even after a whole day of driving.

The space in the rear seats is good, enough to accommodate two adults in relative comfort but the boot is on the small side for this class, at just 291-litres. And the temporary spare tyre doesn’t fit with Subaru’s sales pitch of the Crosstrek being an off-road capable small SUV.

The 2.0L is powered by Subaru’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine making 115kW/196Nm, sending its power to the all-wheel drive system through a CVT automatic. Because of the permanent all-wheel drive the fuel economy is behind some of the Crosstrek’s key rivals, rated at 7.2L/100km.