Subaru Crosstrek review

Its on-road performance is hit and miss, but it’s off the beaten track that the Crosstrek really shines. Subaru’s tried and tested all-wheel drive set-up is among the very best in the business and here it combines with the clever X-Mode off-road setting to deliver impressive go-anywhere ability and traction in treacherous conditions. Like many dedicated off-roaders, it includes hill descent control, meaning the Crosstrek can scrabble safely down the steepest and slipperiest slopes. If you live in a rural area or somewhere often exposed to extreme weather, this machine will be a confidence-inspiring choice.

Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed 

One thing is certain with the Crosstrek – this isn’t the car for owners who relish driving fast. While its on-paper 0-62mph time of 10.8 seconds is average for the class, the Subaru feels slower on the road. 

At the heart of the Crosstrek’s sluggishness is its stepped Lineartronic CVT gearbox, which lacks the responsiveness of a traditional torque converter or twin-clutch automatic arrangement. 

In other applications, this gearbox delivers reasonably refined and totally smooth progress, but here, it sends the engine revs soaring under even modest throttle applications. Yet the increased commotion doesn’t come with a corresponding uplift in performance. 

There are paddles behind the steering wheel, but they are best left alone because they merely mimic the gearchanges of a conventional gearbox. Instead, it’s best to leave the transmission to its own devices and take a steady approach to progress.

Country road driving and handling 

It’s not as nimble as a standard family hatchback, but the Crosstrek does feel more agile than many other crossover models. The steering is accurate and decently weighted, while there’s more than enough grip, and surprisingly little body roll when pushing on. It’s not fun, but the Subaru is composed and capable

Motorway driving and long-distance comfort

When taking things easy, the Crosstrek rewards with a supple ride over bumpy roads, and it soaks up motorway undulations with ease. However, it’s not the most refined car at higher speeds. Road noise is noticeable, and the engine seems to hum away in the background more than you might expect; the Crosstrek definitely doesn’t offer the kind of long-distance cruising experience of a Volkswagen Golf, or even an SUV rival like the Hyundai Tucson.

Despite the addition of mild-hybrid assistance, the Subaru’s e-Boxer engine fails to deliver the sort of efficiency we’d expect. With just a 16bhp electric motor and 0.6kWh battery, the Crosstrek is rarely able to run on electricity alone, which means the 2.0-litre petrol is usually running.