2026 Subaru Crosstrek Review, Pricing, and Specs

Car and Driver

6 days ago

Overview
The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV is an automotive antihero of sorts, shifting the focus away from performance and instead prioritizing core capabilities like standard all-wheel drive, reasonable fuel efficiency, and comfortable (if sparse) cabin appointments. Power comes from a 180-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine that funnels its torque to all four wheels via an unexciting but serviceable continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). It can't be considered quick, and its handling can feel a bit languid, but those are not its primary missions.
On the other hand, the Crosstrek offers up to 9.3 inches of ground clearance, enough to back up its rugged pretensions—we've driven it in mild off-road situations and walked away impressed. Though it may lack the contemporary style of the Mazda CX-30 or Volkswagen Taos, its endearing charm is hard to dismiss.
Expert Tip: Subaru introduced a Crosstrek Hybrid for 2026. A cosmetic twin of the standard Crosstrek, it shares its spunky style but claims to offer improved city fuel efficiency.
What's New for 2026?
The 180-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder is now standard across the lineup, including the base model, which previously used a 152-hp 2.0-liter four. Crosstrek Limited and Wilderness trims get a heated steering wheel as standard equipment.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek starts at $28,415 and goes up to $35,215 depending on the trim and options.
Base
$28,415
Premium
$29,415
Sport
$32,045
Limited
$34,415
Wilderness
$35,215 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k
We recommend the Premium trim. Its nominal upcharge unlocks the larger 11.6-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and roof rail cross bars.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Engine: 180-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder
180-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder Transmission: Continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)
Continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
All models come with a 180-hp 2.5-liter four; a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is the only transmission option. As on most other Subaru models, all-wheel drive is standard.
The Crosstrek's chassis isn't taking cues from Subaru's sporty WRX sports sedan. We'd called its on-road personality "relaxed." It's a soft-riding crossover, and while its cornering capabilities are likely far more than its intended buyer will ever exploit, it doesn't offer the same level of driving enjoyment as the Mazda CX-30or the Volkswagen Taos.
The Crosstrek can probably do more off-roading than those crossovers though, as it boasts at least 8.7 inches of ground clearance and comes with hill-descent control and hill-start assist features. The Wilderness trim offers 9.3 inches of ground clearance and wears more aggressive all-terrain tires. During our initial test drive, we sampled some of the Crosstrek's capabilities on some rutted two-tracks and light off-road trails in Joshua Tree National Park outside Palm Springs, California. On those sorts of trails, it does just fine.
0–60-MPH Times
C/D 60-mph Test: 8.1 seconds (Limited); 8.6 seconds (Wilderness)
In Comparison: Chalk up the Wilderness model's slower acceleration to its all-terrain tires and rugged styling. Still, the similar Mazda CX-30 with the base non-turbo engine also required 8.1 seconds to hit 60. The turbocharged CX-30 did it in a tidy 5.8 seconds.
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Michael Simari
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Car and Driver
Towing and Payload Capacity
Max tow rating is set at 1500 pounds for all but the Wilderness trim, which is rated for 3500 pounds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test: 36 mpg
36 mpg EPA City Rating: 25-27 mpg
25-27 mpg EPA Highway Rating: 29-33 mpg
The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Crosstrek yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings as high as 27 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined for models equipped with the now-standard 2.5-liter engine. For more information about the Crosstrek's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
First Row: Comfortable utility is the theme here. Despite its subcompact dimensions, the Crosstrek's front passenger compartment has plenty of room for people of nearly all dimensions. Controls are easy to access, and the seats hide no sharp edges or pinch points. There's 42.9 inches of legroom and 39.8 inches of headroom. That's more than the CX-30's 41.7 and 38.1 inches, respectively.
Second Row: The Crosstrek utilizes a 60/40 split-folding second row seatback. The seat cushions are satisfactory for most uses but lack the supportive padding found in more premium brands that take the pinch out of longer drives. The Crosstrek's 36.5 inches of rear passenger legroom are about average for the class.
Cargo Capacity: With 20 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row and 55 cubes with it folded down, the Crosstrek easily beats out the CX-30 (20 and 45 cubes, respectively). In C/D testing, the Crosstrek fit 7 carry-on bags behind the second row, and 22 with it folded.
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Michael Simari
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Car and Driver
Infotainment and Connectivity
Infotainment: 7-inch touchscreen (standard), 11.6-inch touchscreen (optional)
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (standard), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (optional)
Audio System: 4-speaker stereo (standard); 6-speaker stereo (optional); 10-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo (optional)
The base model makes do with a 7-inch screen, wired CarPlay and Android Auto, a four-speaker stereo, and a USB-A port alongside a 3.5mm audio jack. Moving to the Premium trim bumps you up to the larger touchscreen while adding wireless connectivity, six-speaker audio, and four USB ports (two front and two rear), making its reasonable price increase feel like a bargain.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Every Crosstrek comes with Subaru's latest EyeSight driver-assistance feature bundle as standard. Available emergency steering is bundled with blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert.
For information about the Crosstrek's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard Safety Features: Adaptive cruise control, automated braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
Adaptive cruise control, automated braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Optional Safety Features: Automatic emergency steering, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Subaru's warranty coverage is exactly in line with that of most of its competitors.
Limited Warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles
Three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain Warranty: Five years or 60,000 miles
Five years or 60,000 miles Complimentary Maintenance: None
C/D Test Results and Specs
We test every vehicle we can. Data in the chart below may be for a different model year if the model remained unchanged from when we last tested it.
Specifications
Specifications
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $33,540/$35,810
Options: Option package (Harman/Kardon audio system, power moonroof, 10-way power driver's seat), $2270
ENGINE
DOHC 16-valve flat-4, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 152 in3, 2498 cm3
Power: 182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque: 178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm
TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.4-in vented disc/11.2-in vented disc
Yokohama Geolander A/T G015
225/60R-17 99T M+S 3PMSF
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 104.9 in
Length: 176.4 in
Width: 71.7 in
Height: 63.6 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 55/4 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 55/20 ft3
Curb Weight: 3447 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 8.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 16.7 sec @ 83 mph
100 mph: 27.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 8.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.3 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 120 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 175 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.81 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 22 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 27 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 440 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 27/25/29 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
More Features and Specs