Subaru Crosstrek 2018-2023 - Review, Specs, Pricing, Features, Videos and More

Back in 2012, manufacturers were scrambling to cash in on the sudden rise in small SUV demand.

Many attempted to create subcompact crossovers and/or SUVs that would satisfy the market’s needs. While some succeeded, others did not. But one unlikely manufactured produced a simple solution that has proven to be a winning formula; Subaru.

The brand simply took a compact Impreza hatchback, gave it SUV-levels of ground clearance, a more rugged exterior, a few minor mechanical enhancements, and voila; the Crosstrek was born. Despite these humble beginnings, it proved to be a hit with consumers as it was right sized at the right price.

Click Here to Read the Review

Round two, fight!

The Corolla Cross is a big deal for Toyota. The world’s largest automaker was missing a conventional competitor in the red-hot subcompact crossover class. So now it’s stuck its best-selling nameplate onto something to slot below the RAV4. It’s a more conventional package than the niche C-HR, with an upright shape and available AWD.

Subaru already found success in this segment with the Crosstrek. A decade ago, the company lifted its Impreza hatchback, treated it to an extra helping of black cladding, and sent it on its way with a new name. Now the Crosstrek is one of the sales juggernauts, the only subcompact SUV to sell over 100,000 units in the US each of the last two years.

When we last pitched the new Toyota against a competitor, the Kia Seltos, both cars were in their respective top trims. The newcomer lost, so this time around we’re looking at the mid-level options. Read on to see if the Corolla Cross can redeem itself.

Click Here to Read the Review

The Subaru Crosstrek was pretty close to the ideal small crossover for auto journalists.

Very car-like? Check. Tidy dimensions? Check. Even an available manual? Check. There was just one major flaw: the engine. The standard 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder was what you’d charitably call “adequate”. It struggled to pull the Crosstrek up to passing speeds, with foot-to-floor moments resulting in more noise than forward motion.

When the Crosstrek first touched down in 2013, this was fine. Now, as the sub-compact crossover scene is positively packed— ahem—the little Subaru’s weaknesses are in sharper relief. To combat the influx of competition, Subaru has gone with a classic move: drop a bigger engine in. It’s introduced a new trim to take advantage of it too, the Sport (Outdoor in Canada), with chunkier exterior styling and more off-road chops.

Click Here to Read the Review

Here comes the sun. Wait, no, it’s the bright yellow Subaru Crosstrek.

The plucky Subaru is rolling up to battle our reigning sub-compact crossover champion, the Mazda CX-30. Gifted a larger, more powerful engine for the 2021 model year, the Crosstrek impressed me on its first drive in the autumn. The 2.5-liter sweetened an already appealing package in the segment. It was clear right away: the Mazda would need to defend its crown after defeating the Kia Seltos last year.

So here we are. As managing editor Kshitij rolls up in the retina-searing Scooby, the actual sun makes a rare appearance. In the mid-afternoon light, it’s clear these two trucklets, despite similar dimensions and pricing, are two very different takes on this rapidly expanding class. Can the latest challenger topple the CX-30?

Click Here to Read the Review