There aren’t very many subcompact crossovers with off-road qualities, but the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is one of them, giving you the driving qualities you want.
The Crosstrek has always been a bit of an odd duck in its class. This little SUV stands tall but looks more like the automaker put a compact sedan on a lifted suspension than an actual SUV. This little SUV brings the benefits of Subaru’s standard Symmetrical AWD to your driving experience, making it much easier for you to have the drive you want and the equipment required to tackle some light trials.
Standing tall for you
The Crosstrek stands 9.3 inches off the ground, which is an impressive figure. Many larger SUVs don’t clear obstacles nearly as well as this little Subie. The base model has a small 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that sends 152 horsepower to all four wheels, while the rest of the lineup has a larger 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 182 horsepower for the drive. If you’re not searching for driving excitement in your small Subaru SUV, the Crosstrek’s powertrains are great. They make casual driving much easier for you, ensuring you have the desired power during your daily commute.
Forget the finer things
If you’re looking for a comfortable and practical subcompact SUV with AWD, the Subaru Crosstrek is an excellent choice. The cabin is far from fancy, but it’s useful, and the handling isn’t nearly as engaging or dynamic as what you’ll find in other SUVs. Still, when you want to leave the paved roads behind, or you’re searching for something simple and easy to enjoy, the Crosstrek has what you’re after, and it can easily make driving better for you. This could be the perfect SUV for you to get out on the roads and trails for a competent and enjoyable drive.
Only minor changes
The 2025 model of this little SUV only has minor changes. It’s the second model year of the new version, which was fully redesigned for 2024. The more powerful engine was updated to be part of every model except the base version. Other than this small change, the Crosstrek is a carryover model with the same equipment and features for 2025 as it had for 2024.
The Premium trim could be the right model for most drivers. This trim is a step up from the base model, which means you’ve got the more powerful engine, a larger 11.6-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and roof rail cross bars.
Fuel mileage that makes sense
Every version of the Subaru Crosstrek uses a CVT to send power to the wheels. This allows the AWD crossover to return good fuel mileage from both engines. The base model delivers 27 city/34 hwy mpg while the upgraded powertrain loses a little luster in this area by producing 25 city/29 hwy mpg during your drive.
The Wilderness trim is the model that stands 9.3 inches above the ground, with the rest of the Crosstrek lineup offering 8.7 inches of ground clearance. This SUV comes with hill-descent control, and hill-start assist to make it much easier to control the vehicle when stopped on a hill while ready to get going.
A comfortable cabin awaits you
Despite the lack of style and panache in the cabin area, the Crosstrek is spacious and cargo-friendly, making it a good option among subcompact crossovers. The front seats are comfortable, and the SUV has good sound-deadening materials to make the interior much quieter and more enjoyable when you get behind the wheel and go for a drive. This utilitarian cabin also has some cubbies for your small items, which makes it even more useful.
The cargo area behind the rear seats measures 20 cubic feet but if you fold the seats down, you’ll have 55 cubes of storage space. This makes it easy to carry some longer items in this SUV when you need to.
If you stick with the base model, the Crosstrek has a 7.0-inch display screen, but all models above this base version have the same 11.6-inch screen that is found in other Subaru models.
Should you drive this SUV?
Should you choose the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek? If you’re looking for a small, active, and adventurous vehicle that can leave the paved roads behind in favor of wilderness adventures, this is the SUV for you. The Crosstrek has everything you need for your adventures, but if you want an upscale cabin, more power, and better handling, you’ll want to check out other subcompact crossovers.
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