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The brand new-for-2023 Subaru Crosstrek replaces the XV in Australia however does the identical factor – it’s a high-riding hatchback that guarantees a little bit of journey, with chunky design and normal all-wheel drive.
This stays a degree of distinction in a small SUV section led by urban-focused rivals. Consider autos just like the Mitsubishi ASX, Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Nissan Qashqai and Toyota Corolla Cross.
Subaru’s engineers have made a sequence of enhancements relatively than re-writing the script. The evolutionary result’s typical from an organization with notably excessive levels of brand name loyalty.
Right here we drive what’s the most interesting Crosstrek for value-shoppers, and proper now who isn’t that? It’s the entry variant in a five-model line-up and the one one you may nab for underneath $40,000 on the street.
It’s additionally in fairly good provide, based on Subaru, in contrast to the dearer grades.
How a lot does the Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L price?
Our base mannequin’s $34,990 record worth interprets to an anticipated drive-away determine of about $40,000, with the precise determine relying on the place you reside and which color you need.
That’s fairly affordable really, notably given the usual all-wheel drive since many opponents solely supply AWD on the extra luxurious spec ranges, and in some circumstances in no way.
This base Crosstrek might have a leaner record of options in some points, but compares favourably to the Kia Seltos Sport+ AWD ($39,300), Mazda CX-30 G25 Touring AWD ($40,310), and Toyota Corolla Cross GXL AWD Hybrid ($42,250).
There’s little doubt that is one automobile with a novel promoting level and a little bit of character, and that’s not one thing all autos immediately can profess to supply.
2023 Subaru Crosstrek pricing:
- Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L: $34,990
- Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0R: $38,490
- Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0S: $41,490
- Subaru Crosstrek AWD Hybrid L: $38,590
- Subaru Crosstrek AWD Hybrid S: $45,090
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L like on the within?
Even the bottom Crosstrek unlocks as you pull the deal with, as long as the important thing fob is in your pocket, and begins through button relatively than twisting the important thing within the ignition barrel. Not all entry-level rivals supply this.
The seats regulate manually for top and attain, and supply fairly good levels of help. Curiously the sample resembles a bunch of Mercedes-Benz three-pointed stars, or is that simply me?
You don’t get a leather-wrapped steering wheel on this base automobile, with the plastic lending an actual ‘rental-spec’ really feel. I suppose on the plus facet, my marriage ceremony band didn’t scratch it…
In typical Subaru type this wheel’s spokes are filled with buttons and rocker switches, however whereas all of it seems to be a bit complicated at first, the format is definitely very intuitive.
Living proof, there separate controls for the adaptive cruise and the pace limiter – in contrast to so many vehicles that make you toggle between these capabilities through the identical button. Zero ambiguity right here.
The devices are analogue and flank a small digital show together with your pace, and a diagram for the lane-keeping support. The format is all type over perform.
Other than the plastic trim inlays that look a little bit like carbon-fibre, there’s not a lot in right here that makes the inside design stand out. It’s fairly staid, but additionally fairly smart.
One massive enchancment over the XV is the Crosstrek’s 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, though the real-estate is considerably wasted with out full-size sat-nav maps or a number of digicam views (within the base mannequin).
Regardless it presents easy menu tiles, wi-fi Apple CarPlay, and a few cool graphics exhibiting you issues like torque distribution between the axles, and your present roll angle.
It’s a bit unlucky that capabilities corresponding to fan pace and the transmission Auto Maintain are buried in sub menus, however not less than the temperature controls nonetheless take the types of buttons.
Additional gripes embrace the tinny sounding normal audio system and the design of the usual 10W wi-fi charging pad – which isn ‘t rubberised, and subsequently vulnerable to sending your cellphone sliding round in corners, thereby dropping its charging standing.
The centre tunnel is trimmed in arduous and cheap-feeling plastic trims however is not less than sturdily mounted to the ground. Cabin storage features a beneficiant console and glovebox, and bottle holders in every door.
The again seats in the meantime supply fairly good knee-room by class requirements, with my 194cm body in a position to match again there, whereas my head simply scraped the roof. It definitely presents extra back-seat house than one thing like a Toyota C-HR, and the facet home windows let plenty of mild in.
Nevertheless, there aren’t any rear air vents or USB ports.
The boot quantity with the 60:40 folding rear seats up and in use, is a fairly modest 291 litres, which is smaller than most competitor SUVs on account of the shallow ground – underneath which sits a brief space-saver spare wheel and tyre.
It’s properly off the likes of the Corolla Cross (380L minimal), and it may well’t even match the Mazda CX-30 (317L minimal).
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The engine on this base mannequin is a 115kW/196Nm 2.0-litre horizontally opposed (Boxer) four-cylinder petrol engine.
It’s mated to a CVT automated with paddle shifters and Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system with energetic torque splitting. It comes normal with idle cease/begin and a button on the wheel to sharpen engine responses at low speeds.
The AWD system has an X-Mode button that optimises the powertrain and traction management responses for slippery surfaces, in addition to hill-descent management.
Subaru claims gas consumption of 7.2 litres per 100km on the mixed cycle and it may well run on 91 RON petrol. The 63-litre tank additionally guarantees a protracted driving vary. It’s rated to tow as much as 1400kg (braked).
There’s additionally a mild-hybrid possibility obtainable for a further $3600. This doesn’t make a lot of a discount to gas use on the mixed cycle (6.5L/100km) however does carry out 20 per cent higher in city cycle testing (7.4L/100km versus 9.4L/100km).
How does the Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L drive?
The naturally-aspirated petrol engine comes with a clean cease/begin system, however don’t anticipate to blast off the road shortly.
The tempo off the mark is leisurely and the CVT elicits a monotone driveline drone.
Nevertheless when you get increased up into the rev band the response improves (energy peaks at 6000rpm), and the transmission mimics conventional stepped ratios through paddles if you would like it to.
The gas use declare was pretty correct although, with my freeway common sitting at 6.5L/100km, climbing to eight.0L/100km on the blended loop.
The total-time AWD system is great although, and extra succesful than the Yokohama Geolander tyres permit it to be when inventory.
With 220mm of clearance, X-Mode that tweaks the soundness management to swimsuit a given terrain, and hill-descent management, it’s succesful on trails.
It’s not a Suzuki Jimny or Toyota LandCruiser, nevertheless it’s way more confidence-inspiring off the bitumen than any rival. On a facet word, increased grades of Crosstrek really include a second X-Mode program.
Driving dynamics on the street are additionally fairly good, balancing experience consolation and physique management, that means it feels composed and car-like in corners and pretty unruffled over growth joints and potholes.
Intrusion of noise, vibration and harshness can be down.
One statement is the feather-light electrical energy steering, which doesn’t add a lot in the way in which of resistance in additional dynamic driving.
The rear suspension is impartial, within the type of double-wishbones, which can clarify that pokey boot.
The takeaway right here is that the Crosstrek’s chassis AWD system may simply deal with a gutsier engine, like a small-displacement turbo with extra low-down torque.
What do you get?
Crosstrek AWD 2.0L + Hybrid L highlights:
- All-wheel drive
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Area-saver spare wheel
- Tyre stress monitoring
- LED headlights
- Nightfall-sensing headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Black roof rails
- Privateness glass
- Rear parking sensors
- Material seat trim
- Guide seat changes
- Twin-zone climate-control
- 11.6-inch portrait touchscreen
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- USB-A and USB-C ports
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- 6-speaker audio system
- Digital radio
- Reversing digicam
To see what options you get within the increased specification ranges, learn our range-wide 2023 Subaru Crosstrek worth and specs story.
Color decisions embrace Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Magnetite Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Pure Crimson, Offshore Blue Metallic, Solar Blaze Pearl, Oasis Blue, Sapphire Blue Pearl, and Horizon Blue Pearl.
We also needs to word the notably giant vary of Subaru equipment to intercourse up your Crosstrek, together with varied varieties of rooftop cross bars and STI Efficiency design components.
Is the Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L secure?
The Crosstrek is but to obtain an ANCAP security score, however comes normal with numerous driver-assist aids powered by Subaru’s EyeSight digicam system.
These options all appeared to work fairly properly in our expertise, with the car in a position to steer itself round gradual corners, mirror the pace of the automobile forward, and offer you a stern warning if the onboard digicam spots you not paying consideration.
It even chimes if you happen to’re on the visitors lights and the automobile forward strikes off with out you following swimsuit.
One other good characteristic, which is turning into extra widespread throughout many manufacturers now, is the clever pace limiter. As soon as set, it routinely adjusts to a modified pace restrict offered the digicam recognises the roadside pace signal.
Customary security options embrace:
- 9 airbags
- Twin entrance, twin entrance facet, twin curtain
- Driver’s knee
- Far facet
- Entrance passenger seat cushion
- EyeSight Driver Help:
- Entrance Pre-Collision Braking (AEB)
- Adaptive cruise management
- Lane maintain help
- Lane centring help
- Lane departure prevention
- Lane departure warning
- Lane Sway Warning
- Lead Automobile Begin Alert
- Pre-Collision Braking System (AEB)
- Pre-Collision Throttle Administration
- Autonomous emergency steering
- Brake mild recognition
- Clever pace limiter
- Pace limiter
- Pace signal recognition
- Broad-angle monocular digicam
- New stereo digicam with improved picture recognition
- Subaru Imaginative and prescient Help:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- EyeSight Help Monitor
- Lane change help
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear parking sensors
- Reverse Computerized Braking (AEB)
- Entrance facet radar
- Driver Monitoring System – Driver Focus:
Crosstrek 2.0R provides:
- Subaru Imaginative and prescient Help:
- Excessive-beam help
- 360-degree cameras
- Aspect View Monitor
How a lot does the Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L price to run?
The Crosstrek is roofed by a five-year, limitless kilometre guarantee and 12 months of free Subaru Roadside Help.
The corporate presents capped-price servicing and has made efforts of late to make its servicing prices extra in-line with opponents.
Service pricing:
- 12 months or 15,000km: $346.25
- 24 months or 30,000km: $473.47
- 36 months or 45,000km: $420.60
- 48 months or 60,000km: $771.74
- 60 months or 75,000km: $361.13
That is a mean worth of $475 per go to for traditional scheduled servicing prices solely.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0L
The Subaru Crosstrek presents one thing many rivals don’t: character.
Granted, just like the XV, it stays underpowered and doesn’t set any new benchmarks for boot house and back-seat consolation. And this base grade, whereas priced properly, is intentionally much less interesting than the following variant up.
That being stated, if you happen to just like the chunky seems to be and the Subaru model promise (soft-road capacity paramount) resonates with you, then this automobile will in all chance make you a contented buyer.
Subaru loyalists and people who search a small crossover with a way of journey can be fairly well-served.
Click on the pictures for the complete gallery
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