Subaru Crosstrek 2.0S 2023 review: snapshot

The Crosstrek 2.0R is the pinnacle of the range in terms of equipment, but not price. Starting from $41,490 (excluding on-road costs), it’s actually slightly cheaper than its hybrid equivalent.

For the price it comes fitted with plenty of standard gear, including 18-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 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and an 11.6-inch tablet-style multimedia touchscreen with compatible wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a wireless charging pad and satellite navigation.

It also comes with a two-mode X-Mode off-road settings, front and rear wipers with front de-icer, self-levelling LED headlights with auto off, front cornering lamps, heated door mirrors, front LED fog lights and dark grey roof rails. 

Inside the 2.0L gets leather-accented seat trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift, sports pedals, auto-dimming rear mirror, heated front seats, a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat and an electric sunroof. It also adds USB-A and USB-C charging ports for the rear passengers, but notably no rear air-conditioning vents.

Like the rest of the range, it comes with Subaru’s EyeSight suite of active safety features. Just some of the highlights of a comprehensive array of safety features includes Front Pre-Collision Braking, 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, and Subaru’s Vision Assist safety package.

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.