THE Subaru Crosstrek is the Japanese manufacturer’s latest adventure/family-friendly SUV that replaces the XV and is their smallest model, behind the Forester and Outback.
Always the farmer’s favourite, Subaru now manage to produce motors that are popular with anyone who fancies a bit of 4×4 reliability. Whether you’re dodging potholes, taking the dogs to the woods, or the kids to school in winter (if, by some miracle, the school is still open) this is the motor that’ll get you there without breaking a sweat.
Subaru has always been about reliability and off-road ability, and the Crosstrek carries that tradition forward with some bang up to date family-pleasing practicality and tech.
How Much and What Do You Get?
The Crosstrek comes in two trim levels: ‘Limited’ starts at £34,995 and includes Subaru’s driver-selectable X-MODE with Hill Descent Control. This maximises wheel control on slippery surfaces and steep inclines.
Subaru’s EyeSight Ver.4.0 includes a raft of safety features and driver-aids with the likes of Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Departure Prevention and Traffic Sign Recognition – to name just a few. There’s also an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.
Upgrading to ‘Touring’ (£36,995) ups the ante with dual-function X-MODE for increased capability in a wider range of conditions. It also gets paddle shifters for those moments when you’re pretending to be a rally driver, and built-in Sat Nav for those moments you find yourself lost while pretending to be a rally driver.
You also get bigger 18-inch alloys, faux-leather upholstery trim, powered sunroof and power adjustable driver and passenger seats. Both models feature SUBARU Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) with two selectable drive modes, ‘Intelligent’ and ‘Sport’ mode.
No matter which trim-level you choose, you’ll find, there’s a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder direct-injection Boxer engine, putting out 136 PS and 182 Nm of torque. It won’t rip your face off in a drag race with a 0-62 mph time of 10.8 seconds, but it will be more than enough for those who know exactly what they want from their Subaru.
Every Crosstrek comes with Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), meaning smooth power delivery and no faffing with a clutch in stop-start traffic. If you opt for the Touring trim, you’ll also get a manual mode with those paddle shifters – which you will use once and then completely forget about.
Both models also get LED headlights, heated front seats and keyless entry and start systems.
Miura or Minger?
The Crosstrek looks chunky, purposeful, and built for more than just popping to the shops. The 220mm ground clearance is better than many so-called “proper” SUVs, meaning you’ll breeze over rutted tracks without scraping your undercarriage (oo-er, missus). Yet, it still has a sensibly low step-in height, so you won’t be needing extra muscles to get in and out – like you do with a pickup truck.
There are some attention-grabbing black plastic panels, front and rear, that may not be to everyone’s taste, but I like the look as it makes the Subaru stand out against the likes of the Mazda CX-30, VW T-Cross and Nissan Juke. More puposeful, without being over-macho.
And let’s not forget the raised roof rails, which are perfect for chucking on a roof box or kayak when you fancy escaping to the lakes for the weekend.
How does it drive?
As I said above, the Subaru Crosstrek won’t disappoint its buyers. They’re buying this Subaru for its reliability and practicality – not to win a World Rallycross series. The Crosstrek doesn’t come with gold-coloured wheels . . .
With that in mind, you’ll find the Crosstrek ticks all the boxes: Good visibility from the driver’s seat, well-weighted steering, planted and composed driving dynamics and a confidence to take on any kind of road surface/condition that you might not get with any other family SUV in this price bracket.
My Crosstrek Touring model impressed over the week I had it. A week of mostly torrential rain that turned the local rural roads to rivers of mud (in many places) and made me very grateful for the Subaru’s “Off-Roading for Dummies” X-Mode system which left me reassured that I wasn’t going to go skating off into a hedgerow.
On the dryer day(s) I managed to get the Crosstrek into ‘Sport’ mode and went for a quick B-road blast which left me surprised at just how well the Subaru handled. The AWD helps, of course, but there was less body-sway than I was expecting. Afterall, the Crosstrek isn’t designed for sporty driving but there is some fun to be had.
However, that fun is somewhat blunted by the Crosstrek’s CVT gearbox that didn’t appear to be very intelligent. Yes, all CVT systems can scream a little if you have a heavy right foot, but in the Crosstrek it seems a little worse.
On the open road and at motorway speeds there was still significant engine and tyre noise, despite Subaru’s claim to have improved this over the old XV model. Still, it’s not a deal-breaker and doesn’t become a problem on longer journeys.
Manouvering around town is fine – the Crosstrek doesn’t feel overly large when getting through tight gaps and the raised driving position helps too. Parking is easy enough, thanks to the high res reversing camera (standard on both models).
What’s the Inside story?
Climb inside, and you’ll find a cabin that’s both functional and smart looking. The materials used offer a balance of durability and comfort—ideal for resisting the muddy paws of a four-legged passenger or the occasional coffee spill.
Soft-touch materials on the dash and doors give the Subaru Crosstrek a warmer, less utilitarian feel, while hard-wearing, easy-to-clean surfaces mean you won’t be fretting about dirt from a countryside ramble. Overall, it’s right up there with rivals for refinement with an extra splash of practicality thrown in because it’s a Subaru.
The front seats feel very comfortable and thanks to the electrical adjustment of the driver’s seat (including lumbar support) and the 4-way adjustment in the steering wheel, you’ll find an excellent driving position is easy to find.
I love the tradition dials of the main display: Clear and sharp, they give exactly the info you need with a small digital screen between that is configurable and doesn’t complicate the view.
There’s plenty of head and legroom up front, although the rear seats are raised a little to give passengers a better view out front. Great for the kids but not so great if you’re carrying tall adults in the rear. Touring spec also gets extra charging ports in the rear to help cut down on rear-seat conflicts.
Dominating the dashboard is an11.6-inch high-resolution touchscreen, which comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchscreen is easy to use, with large, clear icons that are easy to hit while on the move. It does all look a bit dated though and could do with a revamp.
Thankfully, there are physical buttons for the climate control and rotary dials for volume and tuning. You will have to poke at the screen to adjust fan speed though – and to re-direct the airflow. Having all those controls incorporated in the touch-screen area does make for a clean-looking centre dash that adds to the feeling of openness and space, up-front.
Storage is good with plenty of cubbies, cup holders, and door pockets for all the bits and bobs you end up lugging around. There’s even a dedicated slot for your smartphone below the infotainment screen which is where you’ll find your charging ports (both USB-A and USB-C).
With 315 litres of boot space, there’s enough room for the weekly shop, a couple of suitcases, or bulky outdoor gear. Need more room? Fold the 60:40 split rear seats, and you get a massive 922 litres to play with. That’s plenty of space for a weekend’s worth of camping gear or sports equipment.
Conclusion
The Subaru Crosstrek offers a good blend of rugged reliability and modern tech, designed for drivers who want adventure without sacrificing comfort.
It is a bit pricey compared to the likes of the Nissan Juke, Mazda CX-30 and Mini Countryman which can all be had for less, but the Crosstrek is arguably more practical and more suited to tackling a variety of terrains, including unpredictable UK roads.
With solid safety features, smart tech, and the legendary Subaru all-wheel drive, it’s definitely one to consider – especially if much of your driving involves rural roads or harsher conditions.
- AT A GLANCE:
- Subaru Crosstrek Touring
- OTR Price: £36,995
- Engine: 2.0i e-Boxer petrol
- Power: 136 PS
- Transmission: CVT Automatic
- 0-62mph: 10.8 secs
- Top Speed: 123 mph
- Combined Economy: 36.8 mpg
- C02: 174 g/km