2026 Subaru Crosstrek

Price Range: $26,995 - $34,995

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is a practical and comfortable small SUV. Its standard all-wheel drive and elevated ground clearance also helps out in wintry road conditions or when going off-road for recreational use. Lackluster acceleration and storage capacity are notable drawbacks, but overall we think the Crosstrek is a solid pick.

84 Owner Reviews

Pros

Pro:Standard all-wheel drive
Pro:Hybrid promises significant real-world fuel economy boost
Pro:Simple and roomy interior
Pro:More capable than most rivals off-road

Cons

Con:Slow acceleration from base engine
Con:Interior gets pretty noisy on the highway
Con:Short on storage and cargo space
Con:Lackluster tech features

What’s new

New hybrid engine option for significantly better fuel economy
Part of the third Crosstrek generation introduced for 2024

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Review

Overview

Written by automotive expert Keith Buglewicz

5/15/2025

There's a lot to like about the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek. It may be Subaru's smallest and least expensive SUV, but there's plenty of Subaru goodness baked in. It offers standard all-wheel drive, a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine and a roomy interior. If you're an outdoorsy person or you live in an area with a lot of snowy, slippery winter weather, it's a compelling choice. For 2026, Subaru is also offering a new Crosstrek Hybrid.

Edmunds spotlight: What's new for the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Subaru has a business relationship with Toyota, so it would've been easy for Subaru to just pop in one of Toyota's proven hybrid systems under the hood and call it a day. However, Subaru has developed a hybrid system that uses its own engine design. The hybrid powertrain produces 194 horsepower, which is more than what you get from the regular Crosstrek. As such, we're expecting it to be the quickest Crosstrek you can buy. It will undoubtedly be the most fuel-efficient as well. Subaru hasn't officially said what kind of mpg the Crosstrek Hybrid will get, but our guess is that it'll get around 35 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

Competitors to consider

There are plenty of options for a small and reasonably priced SUV. Some of our top recommendations include the Chevrolet Trailblazer or Trax, Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross and Volkswagen Taos. But if you also want off-road capability like the Crosstrek can provide, you'll have to shop for a bigger model, such as the Ford Bronco Sport or Subaru's Forester. As for hybrids, the Kia Niro and Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid are viable options.

Which Crosstrek does Edmunds recommend?

Subaru hasn't released complete information on the 2026 Crosstrek as of this writing. We'll update our recommendation if anything changes, but based on last year's Crosstrek, we think the Premium trim is a good jumping-off point for non-hybrid models. In addition to the more powerful 2.5-liter engine, the Premium comes equipped with a good array of advanced driver aids, plus the upgraded 11.6-inch touchscreen audio system.

Compare 2026 Subaru Crosstrek trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Subaru Crosstrek models

[Editor's note: The following unofficial information is based on last year's Crosstrek and contains what we know for far about the 2026 model. We'll update this section once we have complete information.] The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek will come in five trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited and Wilderness. The Base trim has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (152 horsepower, 145 lb-ft of torque), and the Premium, Sport, Limited and Wilderness trims use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (182 hp, 178 lb-ft). Both engines pair with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and a standard all-wheel-drive system. Trim levels for the hybrid will be announced later in 2025.

Base
The most affordable version of the Crosstrek comes with:

17-inch dark gray alloy wheels
Steering-responsive LED headlights
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Cloth seats
7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Four-speaker sound system

The base Crosstrek also includes Subaru's EyeSight collection of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems. Highlights include:

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Crosstrek and the car in front)
Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
Lane centering system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)

Premium
Choose the Crosstrek Premium for these upgrades:

17-inch machined-finish alloy wheels
LED foglights
Raised roof rails
Hands-free keyless entry with push-button engine start
Improved instrumentation
11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Subaru's Starlink connected services
Six-speaker sound system

Subaru offers an option package for the Crosstrek Premium. It includes:

Sunroof
Heated exterior mirrors
Heated windshield
Heated front seats
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)

Sport
You can identify the Crosstrek Sport by its exclusive yellow exterior accents. This trim level also includes:

18-inch dark gray alloy wheels
Gloss black exterior trim with yellow accents
Heated exterior mirrors
Heated windshield
Heated front seats
Gray cloth upholstery with yellow accents and stitching
Simulated carbon-fiber dashboard trim
Yellow metallic instrumentation trim
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
Wireless smartphone charger
Cargo area cover

You can add an option package to the Sport with:

Sunroof
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning
Evasive steering assistance

Limited
The Crosstrek Limited builds on the Premium trim with:

18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels
Upgraded headlights
Heated windshield
Heated exterior mirrors
Chrome interior accents
Leather upholstery with orange stitching
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning
Evasive steering assistance
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Options for the Crosstrek Limited include:

Sunroof
Navigation system
Harman Kardon premium sound system

Wilderness
The specialized off-roader of the group, the Crosstrek Wilderness has a feature set similar to the Sport's. It also comes with:

Raised suspension for more ground clearance
17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires
Revised powertrain for better off-road capability
Extra protective plastic body panels
Synthetic leather upholstery (Subaru's StarTex)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning
Evasive steering assistance

An optional package for the Crosstrek Wilderness adds:

Sunroof
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Harman Kardon premium sound system

Subaru Crosstrek Owner Reviews

4.2

5(64%)

4(12%)

3(7%)

2(11%)

1(6%)

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Once you go Subaru, do you ever go back?!

Lindsey , 05/10/2023

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

My first Subaru, and I am absolutely in love! The seats are extremely comfortable, the ride feels like you’re literally gliding across the road, and the large touch screen in the center of the dash just makes the vehicle feel SO 2024. I transitioned from a Rav4, and I never thought I would leave Toyota, because I loved my Rav! BUT with the battery issues in the newer Ravs, I had to give …

3 Months Old. Major Repair Needed

TPTaylor, 07/29/2023

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

I bought a new 2024 Crosstrek Premium from Subaru of Kennesaw 3 months ago. The new Crosstrek is roomier than most vehicles at that price point and had plenty of cargo space to hold the luggage of a family of 4 on a weekend trip. Fuel economy averaged a little over 28 mpg. The ride was smooth and the handling more like a sedan than an SUV. Those were the high points. As far as the lows, … the acceleration has been described as “pokey” and that’s accurate. Accelerating onto a busy interstate leaves you feeling like the engine is trying to catch up. Interesting enough, there are no issues with the acceleration when resuming the cruise control set speed. It seems the Crosstrek responds much better to the computer than to the gas pedal. The computer is the MAJOR problem with this vehicle. After almost 3 months of driving it the “infotainment” or “head unit” system died; and when I say died, I mean that it has to be replaced with at least a one month wait time for a replacement part. The car can be driven without this part, but it disabled all of the safety and security features except for the locks and all A/C, phone, radio and anything else accessed by that system is gone. And here’s where insult was added to injury. I suggested that since the car was only 3 months old and already needing the equivalent of an auto brain transplant that the dealership allow me to have a different vehicle. They referred me to Subaru Corporate and the Customer Advocacy Team. What I experience with that department was the opposite of customer advocacy. Their representative said they didn’t replace cars due to a “broken radio” which is a little like calling my iPhone a fancy calculator. When I tried to ask for his manager, he gave me the old “I am the manager” routine and when I asked to speak to “someone above him” he informed me there was no one above him and directed me back to the dealership because “they should stand behind the cars they sell.” Apparently Subaru does not. Now I’m in limbo as the dealership and Subaru attempt determine who should do what in this situation. This is not my first Subaru and until this issue I was happy with the Crosstrek. Now, I can’t see myself buying another. It’s one thing to say you stand behind your vehicles and another to actually do it. I also have serious concerns about the 2024 Crosstrek given this completely unexplained malfunction so early into the life of the vehicle. I’ll be interested to see if this happens with others.

A Great Crossover Made Better

Mikea, 07/26/2023

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

This is the third Subaru Crosstrek I have owned and it does not disappoint. I have the Limited version that includes an updated interior and exterior. I really love the new front seats with driver's side lumbar support. The large infotainment tablet display is great and have had no issues with it so far. The updated stereo system is also a great improvement. The ride is so much smoother …

Excellent Car!

Dan, 07/07/2023

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)

2nd Review, I purchased a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Limited with a 2.5-liter engine. The Outback's engine is the same as this one. The Crosstrek is lighter, which makes it a lot quicker. In every circumstance, it is very simple to maneuver. On the highway, the car is quiet and comfortable to drive. Excellent fuel economy; I continue to average 29-30 mpg around town. The tire pressures are …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek, so we've included reviews for other years of the Crosstrek since its last redesign.

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

2026 Subaru Crosstrek Review

Overview

Edmunds spotlight: What's new for the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Competitors to consider

Which Crosstrek does Edmunds recommend?

Subaru Crosstrek models

Subaru Crosstrek Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Once you go Subaru, do you ever go back?!

3 Months Old. Major Repair Needed

A Great Crossover Made Better

Excellent Car!

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