2026 Subaru Crosstrek Review

The base model now features a 180-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, replacing the previously standard 152-hp 2.0-liter engine. The Crosstrek Limited and Wilderness grades come with a heated steering wheel.

Pros

• There is a combination.
• Standard all-wheel drive paired with ample ground clearance.
• Able to do outdoor cross-trek off-road.

Cons

• CVT by itself.
• Not as much room as the last model.
• Outdated style.

• Engine: The engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 180 horsepower.
• Transmission: CVT, which stands for Continuously Variable Transmission.
• Drivetrain: All-wheel drive is what moves the car.

Each model comes equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower, and the sole transmission available is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Most Subaru cars come with all-wheel drive as standard.

While it’s not the high-performance Subaru WRX sports car, the Crosstrek does share its underlying chassis. People who saw it on the road said it was “relaxed.” There isn’t much fun to be had driving this SUV compared to the Mazda CX-30 or the Volkswagen Taos. It also corners very poorly, which is probably not something its intended buyer will ever need to do.

However, the Crosstrek should be better off-road than other SUVs because it has at least 8.7 inches of ground clearance and features such as hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The Wilderness model offers 9.3 inches of ground clearance and comes equipped with more capable all-terrain tires. In Joshua Tree National Park, which is just outside of Palm Springs, California, we put the Crosstrek through its paces on a few small off-road roads and rough two-tracks during our first test drive. It handles that type of terrain with impressive performance.

All Subaru Crosstrek models come with the latest EyeSight driving assistance technology package. Along with back cross-traffic alert and blind-spot recognition, there is emergency steering. The following are important safety features:

• Automatic brakes, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist are all standard safety features.
• Automatic emergency steering, blind spot recognition, and back cross-traffic alert are all safety features that can be added as options.

First Row: This row is all about nice utility. Although it’s small, the Crosstrek’s front passenger area is spacious enough for people of almost any size. There are no sharp edges or pinch points on the seats, and it’s easy to access the controls. You can stretch your legs out 42.9 inches and your head 39.8 inches. The CX-30 has a wheelbase of 41.7 inches, whereas the X-35’s wheelbase is slightly shorter at 38.1 inches.

Second Row: The seatbacks in the second row of the Crosstrek can be folded in half, 60/40. The seat cushions are good for most situations, but they don’t have the supportive padding that more expensive brands do, which makes long trips more difficult. The Crosstrek offers a typical amount of rear-seat space for its class, measuring 36.5 inches.

Cargo Capacity: The Crosstrek has 20 cubic feet of space behind the second row of seats and 55 cubic feet of space when the seats are folded down, which is a lot more than the CX-30. Before the C/D tests, the Crosstrek could hold seven carry-on bags behind the second row and twenty-two when folded.

• 35 miles per gallon on the highway at 75 miles per hour (MPH).
• According to the EPA, city fuel economy ranges from 25 to 27 miles per gallon.
• EPA number for the highway 29 to 33 mpg.

The EPA hasn’t announced the fuel economy of the 2026 Crosstrek yet, but the 2025 model, equipped with the now-standard 2.5-liter engine, achieved 27 mpg in the city, 33 MPG on the highway, and a combined 29 MPG.

• Infotainment: Infotainment includes a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional upgrade to an 11.6-inch display.
• Connectivity: You can join via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, or a basic version of Android Auto. You can choose between Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
• Audio System: A Harmon Kardon system with four speakers (standard), six speakers (optional), or ten speakers (optional).

The base model features a 7-inch screen, supports CarPlay and Android Auto, includes a four-speaker radio, a USB-A port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The small price rise for the Premium model seems like a good deal when you consider that it comes with wireless connectivity, six speakers, four USB ports (two front and two rear), and a bigger screen.

According to Invoice-pricing, the Crosstrek Wilderness accelerated to 60 miles per hour in 8.6 seconds, while the Limited trim achieved the same in 8.1 seconds. On the other hand, the Wilderness model’s slower pace is due to its tough construction and all-terrain tires. Still, it took the same Mazda CX-30, equipped with the basic engine that didn’t have a turbocharger, 8.1 seconds to hit 60 mph. The task was done in just 5.8 seconds by the powerful CX-30.

Towing and How Much You Can Pay. A maximum of 1500 pounds can be pulled behind any model, but 3500 pounds can be pulled behind the Wilderness trim.

There are a lot of different models and choices that can change how much the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek costs. It’s best to get the Premium trim. For a small additional fee, you can opt for the larger 11.6-inch tablet, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and roof rail crossbars.