The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek blurs the line between a big hatchback and a small SUV. No matter what you call it, the Crosstrek is unique in its space as an adventure-ready and affordable vehicle. It's coming off a full redesign last year, and as a result, we expect it to return largely unchanged for 2025. If you need more space than this smallest of Subarus provides, there are the larger Forester and Outback with similar capabilities.
With standard all-wheel drive and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is more off-road-capable than other subcompact SUVs. That's why it's so popular in four-season regions and among outdoorsy types. The Wilderness model can tackle even more challenging obstacles, with 9.3 inches of clearance, underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires. Subaru even strengthened the roof rack for overlanding tents. If that wasn't enough, the Crosstrek is also fairly efficient. It's estimated to get 29 mpg in combined city and highway driving, and we easily exceeded that figure in our testing.
Not a lot of subcompact SUVs have the Crosstrek's capabilities, so you'll likely have to step up in size for something equivalent. In that case, we suggest checking out the Ford Bronco Sport and Jeep Wrangler. They're even more capable off-road but not as comfortable on the road. More city-friendly options include the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos. Subaru's larger Forester, which is fully redesigned for 2025, is another worthy alternative. Read more about how the Crosstrek stacks up against the competition in our Expert Rating.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
The Subaru Crosstrek is a comfortable, usable everyday companion that will shine in inclement weather thanks to standard all-wheel drive. It's also economical. Unfortunately, it's still one of the slowest vehicles in its class. Lackluster storage space is another blemish. But on the whole, the Crosstrek remains a solid choice for those who want a fuss-free daily driver with some off-road ability to boot.
Rated for you by America's best test team.How does the Crosstrek drive? Even in a class of relatively slow cars, the Crosstrek trails the pack. We tested a Crosstrek Premium with the base 2.0-liter engine. At our test track, it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a lethargic 9.9 seconds. Passing is an affair that demands patience above all else in the base 2.0-liter Crosstrek; we recommend upgrading to models with the 2.5-liter engine.
The Crosstrek isn't a handling all-star, nor should it be. The steering is a little vague and there's noticeable body roll both under braking and around corners. That said, it's a smooth operator on the road and is easy to live with and use for day-to-day duties. Even better, its all-wheel-drive system will provide extra confidence in inclement weather situations and it feels sure-footed and confident in the dirt. Don't be afraid to take it on roads less traveled.
How comfortable is the Crosstrek? The Crosstrek's ride comfort deserves special mention. This little SUV's lifted stance and chunky tire sidewall help it easily absorb road impacts. There are few potholes and even fewer manhole covers that can flummox this Subie. The seats, however, don't quite match the ride's inherent comfort. The padding is a little too soft and there isn't much in the way of lateral support. We suspect the seats in higher trims that come with different materials would be more supportive.
Wind noise was ever present on our highway drives from both the door mirror and the windscreen itself. At anything above or near 65 mph, the Crosstrek is a loud place to be, so much so that conversations at normal volume are difficult to have. The fans for the climate control are also a little too weak until you crank them all the way up, and at that point they are blaring and you'll need to keep them going to keep the cabin at whatever temperature you've set.
How’s the interior? The interior of the Crosstrek is best described as simple. There aren't too many buttons, knobs or switches, but what is there is large and easy to use without you having to look too long. The buttons on the steering wheel also have a nice tactile feel and make whizzing through the instrument menus a cinch. The infotainment screen contains most of the car's primary functions, and while the screen itself isn't the highest-resolution, big buttons and icons make it easy to use.
It also feels large inside, and with its high roofline and lengthy cabin, the Crosstrek is certainly more crossover than hatchback. The rear seat is roomy and visibility is good to the sides and rear. Add to that wide door openings and an elevated seat height that make sliding in and out of the car easy and you have a very user-friendly interior.
How’s the tech? Tech has never been Subaru's strong suit, and the Crosstrek isn't exactly challenging that perception. Our Premium-spec test car is the lowest trim level that comes with the 11.4-inch tablet-like infotainment display. While we appreciate the screen's large icons, the system can be slow to respond to your inputs.
Another pain point is the Crosstrek's stereo. While an upgraded version is available on the top-spec Limited model, most Crosstreks come with just six speakers. The result is a sound that's tinny throughout the volume range. The system also lacks any real bass and can't overcome the poor cabin acoustics. Those who enjoy in-car audio might want to stay away from anything other than the upgraded system.
Subaru does equip the Crosstrek with many standard driver aids. Their operation could be better, however. The forward collision warning system can be a little jumpy, occasionally identifying a trash can on the street as a pedestrian or car and issuing a startling warning. Lane keeping assistance warnings are triggered often, too, despite how accurately you try to keep the car in its lane. The adaptive cruise control maintained consistent gaps with other cars in traffic in our testing, but the Crosstrek's laggard acceleration occasionally means that other cars have the opportunity to cut in front of you while it struggles to catch the car that's pulled away.
How’s the storage? The Crosstrek has less cargo space than some top rivals. It only offers 19.9 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats, which is less than what the Chevy Trailblazer and Volkswagen Taos offer. The cabin also has minimal storage for smaller items. The door pockets feel undersized and large bottles won't fit in any of the cupholders. Add to that a small center console and your loose items will likely be packing these spaces in no time.
Car seats, however, are easy to fit. The aforementioned large door openings, easy-to-access LATCH mounting points and the Crosstrek's ride height mean installation is a no-brainer. There's also a lot of room in the backseat area, making fitting even a large rear-facing seat easy.
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA says the Crosstrek with the 2.0-liter engine, which is what we tested, should get 29 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's an average figure for an extra-small SUV with all-wheel drive. On our real-world test route, we managed 33.4 mpg, indicating that the EPA's estimate should be pretty easy to achieve in the real world.
Is the Crosstrek a good value? When so much of the Crosstrek's competition has upped its game in terms of quality, feature availability and on-road performance, the Crosstrek with the 2.0-liter feels a little lackluster. Our test Crosstrek had interior panels that featured different colors and textures and weren't very nice to the touch. This is an area competitors like the Mazda CX-30 and the Kia Seltos have nailed down, and they cost no more than the Crosstrek. The Subaru's inherent value is in what it can do off-road, but in terms of what you get out of the box, the Crosstrek is lacking.
Subaru's warranty is similarly average. It only offers three years/36,000 miles of basic warranty coverage and roadside assistance, and the powertrain is warrantied for five years/60,000 miles. While some competitors offer free maintenance, Subaru doesn't.
The Crosstrek is a favorite of those who trod the path less taken, and it's easy to see why. It's simply made and perfectly utilitarian, and while it isn't fun on the pavement, looser surfaces really suit it and Subaru's rally heritage. It would also make a fantastic camping companion. However, you're destined to see these everywhere you look, and Crosstrek ownership absolutely comes at the expense of individuality.
Subaru hasn't released official information on the 2025 Crosstrek as of this writing. We'll update our recommendation if anything changes, but based on last year's Crosstrek we suggest going with the Limited trim. In addition to the more powerful 2.5-liter engine, the Limited comes equipped with a good array of driver aids, leather upholstery and 18-inch wheels. We also suggest getting the optional Harman Kardon audio system.
[Editor's note: The following unofficial information is based on last year's Crosstrek. We expect the 2025 model will have a similar lineup and we'll update this section once we have complete information.] The Subaru Crosstrek comes in five trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited and Wilderness. The Base and Premium trims have a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (152 horsepower, 145 lb-ft of torque), and the Sport, Limited and Wilderness trims use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (182 hp, 178 lb-ft). Both engines pair with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a standard all-wheel-drive system. Here's what you can expect from each trim:
Base
The most affordable version of the Crosstrek comes with:
- 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels
- Steering-responsive LED headlights
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Cloth seats
- 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Satellite radio
- Four-speaker sound system
- USB-A data and charging port
- Cargo tray
- Rear seat reminder (alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle)
In addition, the base Crosstrek includes Subaru's EyeSight collection of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems. Highlights include:
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Crosstrek and the car in front)
- Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
- Lane centering system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Premium
Choose the Crosstrek Premium for these upgrades:
- 17-inch machined-finish alloy wheels
- LED foglights
- Raised roof rails
- Hands-free keyless entry with push-button engine start
- Improved instrumentation
- 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Subaru's Starlink connected services
- Six-speaker sound system
- Additional USB ports
Subaru offers an option package for the Crosstrek Premium. It includes:
- Sunroof
- Heated exterior mirrors
- Heated windshield
- Heated front seats
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
- Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
Sport
You can identify the Crosstrek Sport by its exclusive yellow exterior accents. This trim level also includes:
- 18-inch dark gray alloy wheels
- Gloss black exterior trim with yellow accents
- Heated exterior mirrors
- Heated windshield
- Heated front seats
- Gray cloth upholstery with yellow accents and stitching
- Simulated carbon-fiber dashboard trim
- Yellow metallic instrumentation trim
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
- Wireless smartphone charger
- Cargo area cover
You can add an option package to the Sport containing:
- Sunroof
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning
- Evasive steering assistance
Limited
The Crosstrek Limited builds on the Premium trim with:
- 18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels
- Upgraded headlights
- Heated windshield
- Heated exterior mirrors
- Chrome interior accents
- Leather upholstery with orange stitching
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- Heated front seats
- Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning
- Evasive steering assistance
- Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Options for the Crosstrek Limited include:
- Sunroof
- Navigation system
- Harman Kardon premium sound system
Wilderness
The specialized off-roader of the group, the Crosstrek Wilderness has a feature set similar to the Sport's. It also comes with:
- Raised suspension for more ground clearance
- 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires
- Revised powertrain for better off-road capability
- Extra protective plastic body panels
- Synthetic leather upholstery (Subaru's StarTex)
- Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning
- Evasive steering assistance
An optional package for the Crosstrek Wilderness adds:
- Sunroof
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- Harman Kardon premium sound system