There’s a reason why the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek stands above everything in the subcompact SUV segment. As one of the first in that class, it benefits from multiple generations of refinements and advancements. This third-generation model continues the evolution of this best-selling crossover. Featuring tech from its larger siblings, familiar powertrains, and the inherent rugged versatility of every Subaru SUV, the Crosstrek is ready to stay on top. Let’s take a closer look and see why this is such a compelling option.
2025 Subaru Crosstrek: Stylish and Familiar
From the get-go, the 2025 Crosstrek impresses. Not with bold details, but with its sensible yet tasteful design. It’s an evolution of its predecessor, making its shape familiar. Freshly sculpted headlight and taillight highlight its modern look, especially with Subaru’s corporate grille. Additionally, this Sport trim model adds a hint of flair with yellow accents and badging, and black 18-inch alloy wheels.
Step inside this utilitarian cabin and experience a functional yet stylish space. Once again, yellow accents abound in the Sport trim, from the gauge cluster to the seats and door card. It also features cool woven cloth inserts in the front doors, which look especially stylish thanks to the yellow contrast stitching. In typical Subaru fashion, the materials used have a reassuringly sturdy feel. Even the hard plastics have nice textures and don’t feel cheap.
Purposefully Versatile
In terms of space, the Crosstrek easily fits four average-sized adults. You can technically fit a fifth in the middle, but that’s best left for small children or short lunch runs. Storage space is plentiful, too, and the cargo area is useful with the rear seats up or down. To double down on the adventure theme, Subaru even put spots specifically for large water bottles in the back! Plus, the rear seats have a step to make it easier to get to your roof rack. Best of all, the car keeps things fun with cool easter eggs like mountain cut-outs in the cup holder inserts, the steps in the rear doors, and the cargo area. There’s even a little Crosstrek in one of them!
Complaints? Not many. The Crosstrek could use more sound deadening on the highway because it suffers from plenty of wind noise. Additionally, the seatbelt for the rear middle seat pops out of the cargo area, which can intrude into the usable space. Plus, it’s a bit finicky to latch and unlatch.
Smooth and Comfortable
When it comes to performance, the Crosstrek shines thanks to its refined ride. Regardless of the road surface, it glides over them. Additionally, the extra suspension travel and 8.7 inches of ground clearance help filter out impacts. The boxer engine’s low center of gravity, brake-based torque vectoring, and independent suspension help provide stability through corners and emergency maneuvers. The standard AWD system also adds grip, enhancing its surefooted feel on and off the pavement. It’ll even send power to the rear wheels to help the car rotate through corners, giving it more nuanced handling.
Unlike competitors like the Mazda CX-30, the Crosstrek veers more towards comfort rather than sporting agility. Although it has good body control, it’s still softly sprung, highlighting its focus on daily drivability. Furthermore, its steering, while quick and accurate, lacks the connectedness of some of its competitors.
As for power, well, it’s best described as enough when equipped with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder. At 182 hp and 178 lb-ft, the Crosstrek isn’t the most powerful. However, it has usable power since peak torque happens at 3,700 rpm, which is low for a naturally aspirated engine. On the other hand, the CVT works well in most driving situations. There are moments where it takes its sweet time, especially going up a hill. The solution to that? Put the car in sport mode, which offers quicker responses when you put your right foot down. To put it simply, look elsewhere if big power is a must. Even though the Crosstrek’s 2.5-liter engine and the upcoming hybrid variant have more grunt, they’ll still fall behind some of the turbocharged competition.
2025 Subaru Crosstrek: Sensible Tech
Subaru’s Starlink interface may not sit at the cutting edge, but it works quite well. The 11.6-inch touchscreen has large, easy-to-hit icons and minimal submenus. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also occupy a significant portion of the display, leaving only key shortcuts, such as a home icon. However, responses are a little laggy. The six-speaker audio system pumps out decent quality sound, but the available 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio offers a superior, better-rounded listening experience. On the other hand, the combination of analog gauges and a customizable 4.2-inch instrument cluster display shows information in an easy-to-read layout.
Every 2025 Crosstrek comes with the EyeSight driver assistance suite. This latest version features a three-camera setup, which has a wider field of vision. As a result, the system now includes evasive steering capability when automatic emergency braking isn’t enough. Plus, lane centering adds gentle steering inputs to keep you going straight on the highway. For the most part, the system stays in the background and never gets overly intrusive, which we appreciate.
The Gold Standard
After experiencing the 2025 Crosstrek, it’s clear it remains the one to beat in the subcompact crossover class. Versatile and comfortable, this little SUV is right at home on the daily commute and on a road trip, even if the latter includes getting off the beaten path. Although it’s not the most tech-laden, the Crosstrek has everything you need, nothing you don’t. It’s the car that’s easy to love and live with, especially for those wanting a daily driver that doubles as a compact adventure rig.
Think of the 2025 Crosstrek as an evolution of a proven formula. It’s your adventure buddy with just the right amount of enhancements to make it even easier to live with. From its all-around capability to its practicality, the Crosstrek defines its segment. This crossover continues to define what a subcompact crossover should be.
