2023 Subaru Crosstrek: The Small SUV That Stands Tall in Its Class

The subcompact crossover class has grown, but the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek continues to offer something other models just don’t have.

The smallest Subaru SUV brings good ground clearance and the benefits of standard Symmetrical AWD, which you won’t find in any other SUV in this class. The Crosstrek comes with a choice of two gas engines and an impressive level of fuel mileage, which makes it right for your drive. In addition to being one of the only SUVs in this class with AWD, the Crosstrek is considered the most reliable subcompact SUV in the market.

What are the powertrains of this Subaru SUV?

The base powertrain brings you a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine attached to a CVT automatic transmission. This standard setup returns 28 city/33 hwy mpg while delivering 152 horsepower. There’s also a manual transmission option for this powertrain. This gives you a 6-speed manual that provides 22 city/29 hwy mpg and the experience of shifting your gears.

The larger engine for this SUV is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that only uses a CVT to deliver power to the wheels. This powertrain provides 27 city/34 hwy mpg while offering 182 horsepower for the drive.

What does the base Crosstrek offer?

The starting point for the Subaru Crosstrek is the base model, which brings some great features to your drive. This base model comes with:

• Rear privacy glass
• Power side mirrors
• Automatic headlights
• Variable intermittent wipers
• Rear wiper/washer
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Remote keyless entry
• Black roof rails
• Automatic climate control
• Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
• Cruise control
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 60/40 split-folding rear seats
• 6.5-inch color touchscreen
• 4-speaker audio system
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Rearview camera
• Subaru X-Mode
• Hill-descent control
• Subaru EyeSight safety features
  • Forward-collision warning
  • Automatic emergency warning
  • Adaptive cruise control with lane centering
  • Lane-departure warning
  • Lane-keeping assist

If you want some great options, this base model can be equipped with:

• Rear Seat Reminder
• Color 4.2-inch LDC instrument cluster display
• Overhead pin lighting
• Upgraded tire pressure monitor

The base model of the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek costs $23,645 for the manual transmission version, while the CVT models cost $24,995.

Move up to the Crosstrek Premium

Moving up only one trim level brings you to the Premium version of this Subaru SUV. This model brings you more features and continues to offer the base powertrain offerings for your drive. In the Premium trim, you’ll find:

• Heated front seats
• Windshield-wiper de-icers
• Heated side mirrors
• Wiper-activated front headlights
• Fog lights
• Welcome lighting
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
• 6-speaker audio system
• CD player
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Tw USB-A ports
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Subaru Starlink Safety and Security features
• Rear cargo cover
• Lighted vanity mirrors
• Lighted glove box
• Backlit rear door power window switches

CVT models can be upgraded to include:

• Power moonroof
• Blind-spot monitor
• Lane-change assist
• Rear cross-traffic detection
• 6-way power driver’s seat
• Keyless entry
• Push-button starting

The Premium trim starts at $24,795 for the manual-transmission models and $26,145 for the CVT versions.

Does the Crosstrek Special Edition bring anything unique?

The Subaru Crosstrek Special Edition takes what the Premium CVT model includes and adds a few items to make it unique. These items include:

• Desert Khaki paint
• Dark gray 17-inch alloy wheels
• Black door handles
• Black badging
• Black and red upholstery with red contrast stitching
• Low-luster black accent trim
• 8-inch infotainment touchscreen

This Special Edition model doesn’t have any options for you, and it comes at an affordable $26,745 price.

Should you choose the Sport trim of this Subaru SUV?

If you’re looking for the value-oriented version of the Subaru Crosstrek, the Sport trim could be the right one for you to drive. This model gives you the more powerful drivetrain, which means better acceleration and passing power on the highway. The CVT simulates the gear changes of an 8-speed automatic transmission, and it adds paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

Features you’ll find in this Sport trim include:

• Dual-Function X-Mode adding Deep Snow and Mud settings
• Oversized black wheel arches
• Unique exterior badges and trim
• A black Sport grille
• 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels
• Keyless access with proximity key fob
• Push-button starting
• Dual USB charge ports for the rear seat
• Star Tex water-repellent upholstery in gray with yellow stitching
• Yellow Sport logo
• LED light for the rear liftgate

There’s only one option package for this trim. This package adds:

• Blind-spot monitor
• Lane-change assist
• Rear cross-traffic detection
• Power moonroof
• 8-inch infotainment touchscreen

The Crosstrek Sport comes in at a starting price of $27,995.

Should you go Limited in this Subaru SUV?

The Subaru Crosstrek Limited represents the top trim of this subcompact crossover SUV. This model is the best equipped and filled with great features. The Limited model takes the items from the Premium trim, adds the more powerful drivetrain, and gives you:

• Leather upholstery
• 6-way power driver’s seat
• 8-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Color multi-function information display
• rear-seat armrest with built-in cupholders
• Keyless access
• Push-button starting
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Steering-responsive LED headlights
• LED fog lights
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Reverse Automatic Emergency Braking

The Limited trim does offer a few options, which are:

• A power moonroof
• 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• Built-in navigation

The Limited trim of the 2023 Crosstrek starts at $29,495. That’s not bad for a fully loaded SUV.

There’s also a hybrid version of this Subaru SUV

You can enjoy a hybrid version of the Subaru Crosstrek, which uses the base engine plus two electric motors to give you 148 horsepower. This model is a plug-in hybrid that offers 17 miles of all-electric driving range.
If you choose this version of the Crosstrek, you’ll enjoy the contents from the Limited trim plus:

• A unique instrument panel with hybrid readouts
• Starlink upgrades
• Blue and gray leather upholstery
• Blue interior accents and stitching

Options for the hybrid model include:

• A power moonroof
• Navigation system
• Harman Kardon audio system
• Heated steering wheel

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid delivers a 35 mpg combined fuel mileage rating and a driving range of 480 miles. This model starts at $36,845, which is a big jump from the Limited trim.

Which model of the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek will be the right choice for you?