Subaru have rebadged their popular XV small SUV
Snapshot
January 2023: Crosstrek pricing & features
- 2023 Subaru Crosstrek priced: $34,990 to $45,090 plus on-roads
- Updated small SUV set to launch in April
- Carry-over engines; new technology; hefty price rises
The new Subaru Crosstrek, formerly the XV, has finally touched down in Australia.
Pricing for the new small SUV was first announced in January, but it’s taken the Crosstrek some months to arrive. And now we’ve driven it!
While the small SUV is familiar to locals as the XV – and also in other markets, including Japan – it has been badged Crosstrek in North America since 2012, with Subaru deciding to take the name global for its third generation.
It features a significant boost in standard equipment, but this is accompanied by price rises of up to $3000, with the Crosstrek starting from $34,990 before on-road costs.
Under the skin, the Crosstrek retains the current XV’s Subaru Global Platform, but with a new design, slim full-LED headlights and WRX Sportswagon-like tail-lights.
Like the WRX sedan, the Crosstrek features angular plastic body cladding with vents behind the front wheels, while 10 exterior colours and 17-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels are available.
Inside, the new small SUV looks familiar to the current XV, but gains the same portrait-orientated 11.6-inch infotainment system found in the WRX and Outback, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation and touch-based climate controls.
This setup replaces the current 8-inch infotainment system and 6.3-inch multi-function display.
However, unlike the Japanese-market WRX sedan and Levorg wagon (known as WRX Sportswagon in Australia), the Crosstrek does not feature a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with a small 4.2-inch instrument cluster display carrying over.
2023 Subaru Crosstrek pricing
Prices exclude on-road costs.
| Model | Pricing | Change (vs. MY22 XV) |
|---|---|---|
| AWD 2.0L | $34,990 | up $1800 |
| AWD 2.0R | $38,490 | up $2700 (vs. 2.0i Premium) |
| AWD 2.0S | $41,490 | up $3000 |
| AWD Hybrid L | $38,590 | up $1800 |
| AWD Hybrid S | $45,090 | up $3000 |
2023 Subaru Crosstrek features
AWD 2.0L
| 17-inch alloy wheels | Cloth upholstery |
| 11.6-inch portrait-orientated infotainment system | LED headlights |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Halogen daytime running lamps |
| DAB+ digital radio | Power-folding side mirrors |
| USB ports (1x USB-A, 1x USB-C) | Black roof rails |
| Wireless phone charger | X-Mode with hill descent control |
| Six-speaker audio system | Dual-zone climate control |
| 4.2-inch instrument cluster display | Facial recognition |
| Rain-sensing wipers | Paddle shifters. |
| Keyless entry and push button start |
AWD 2.0R
| In addition to AWD 2.0L | |
|---|---|
| 18-inch alloy wheels | Leather-appointed steering wheel and gear shifter |
| Two-mode X-Mode | Auto-dimming rear-view mirror |
| Front wiper de-icer | Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support |
| Self-levelling adaptive LED headlights | Heated front seats |
| LED daytime running lamps | Alloy pedals |
| Heated side mirrors | Rear USB ports (1x USB-A, 1x USB-C) |
| LED fog lamps | Front and side view monitor |
| Dark grey roof rails | High beam assist |
| Premium cloth upholstery | 360-degree camera system. |
AWD 2.0S
| In addition to AWD 2.0R | |
|---|---|
| Electric sunroof | Satellite navigation |
| Leather-accented upholstery | 10-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system. |
AWD Hybrid L
| In addition to 2.0L | |
|---|---|
| 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain | Pedestrian alert system. |
| e-Active Shift Control | |
AWD Hybrid S
| In addition to AWD Hybrid L | |
|---|---|
| 18-inch alloy wheels | Heated front seats |
| Two-mode X-Mode | Alloy pedals |
| Front wiper de-icer | Rear USB ports (1x USB-A, 1x USB-C) |
| Self-levelling adaptive LED headlights | Front and side view monitor |
| Heated side mirrors | High beam assist |
| LED fog lamps | 360-degree camera system |
| Dark grey roof rails | Electric sunroof |
| Premium cloth upholstery | Leather-accented upholstery |
| Leather-appointed steering wheel and gear shifter | Satellite navigation |
| Auto-dimming rear-view mirror | 10-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system. |
| Eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support | |
Colours
| Crystal white | Crystal black |
| Ice silver | Pure red |
| Magnetite grey | Offshore blue |
| Sun blaze orange | Oasis blue |
| Sapphire blue | Horizon blue. |
Engine, drivetrain, and fuel economy
Under the bonnet, the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is powered by a carry-over 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine.
The current ‘e-Boxer’ hybrid system, which features a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder and an electric motor, also carries across without change.
As with the outgoing XV, the standard petrol outputs 115kW and 196Nm. It is matched with a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Meanwhile, the e-Boxer hybrid version produces 110kW/196Nm, with a 12.3kW electric motor and a CVT automatic.
The hybrid shaves around 10 per cent from the 2.0-litre’s fuel efficiency figure, returning 6.5L/100km in the ADR 81/02 cycle. Both engines now meet the stricter Euro 6b emissions standard.
| 2023 Subaru Crosstrek combined fuel economy | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2.0-litre petrol AWD | 7.2L/100km | 165g/km |
| 2.0-litre hybrid AWD | 6.5L/100km | 147g/km |
Safety
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek has yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. The related previous XV received a five-star rating in 2017.
Nine airbags (dual front, side, curtain, far-side, and front passenger seat cushion) are fitted across the Crosstrek range.
| 2023 Subaru Crosstrek active safety features | |
|---|---|
| Autonomous emergency braking (vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, junction-turning, reverse) | Leadvehicle departure alert |
| Lane-keep assist | Blind-spot alert |
| Lane departure warning | Rear cross-traffic alert |
| Autonomous emergency steering | Driver distraction warning |
| Brake light recognition | Traffic sign recognition |
| Adaptive cruise control | Pre-collision throttle management. |
Dimensions
The latest Subaru Crosstrek is 4495mm long, 1800mm wide and 1600mm tall, with a 2670mm wheelbase. This is 10mm longer and 5mm lower than the outgoing XV, with a 5mm longer wheelbase.
2023 Subaru Crosstrek boot space
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek petrol has a 291-litre boot capacity, while the hybrid version is listed at 315 litres due to the tyre puncture repair kit, in place of a space-saver spare wheel.
Warranty and servicing
As per the wider Subaru range, the Crosstrek is covered by the brand’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Servicing for the Crosstrek is required every 12 months or 12,500 kilometres, whichever comes first.
Capped-price servicing is available for five years, with costs dependent on the service interval. Subaru has yet to detail maintenance pricing for the Crosstrek.
Jordan HICKEY