2025 Subaru Crosstrek

How’s the tech? Tech has never been Subaru's strong suit. Most Crosstreks come with a 11.4-inch tablet-like infotainment display. While we appreciate the screen's large icons, the system can be slow to respond to your inputs.

Another pain point is the Crosstrek's stereo. While an upgraded version is available on the top-spec Limited model, most Crosstreks come with just six speakers. The result is a sound that's tinny throughout the volume range. The system also lacks any real bass and can't overcome the poor cabin acoustics. Those who enjoy in-car audio might want to stay away from anything other than the upgraded system.

Subaru does equip the Crosstrek with many standard driver aids. Their operation could be better, however. The forward collision warning system can be a little jumpy, occasionally identifying a trash can on the street as a pedestrian or car and issuing a startling warning. Lane keeping assistance warnings are triggered often, too, despite how accurately you try to keep the car in its lane. The adaptive cruise control maintained consistent gaps with other cars in traffic in our testing, but the Crosstrek's laggard acceleration occasionally means that other cars have the opportunity to cut in front of you while it struggles to catch the car that's pulled away.

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA says the Crosstrek with either the 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter engine gets 29 mpg in combined city/highway driving. (The exception is the Wilderness, which gets 27 mpg combined.) That's an average figure for an extra-small SUV with all-wheel drive. On our real-world test route with a test Crosstrek fitted with the 2.0-liter engine, we managed 33.4 mpg, indicating that the EPA's estimates should be pretty easy to achieve in the real world.