Do the seats fold down in a Subaru Crosstrek?

The Crosstrek’s rear seats do fold down. They use a 60/40-split design that can be folded independently to expand cargo space, delivering a near-flat loading floor and up to about 55.3 cubic feet of space with the seats down.

How the folding seats work

The Crosstrek offers split-folding rear seats to maximize versatility. Each side can be folded separately, so you can accommodate longer items while still carrying a passenger on the other side. When folded, the seatbacks create a mostly flat surface for loading, though there may be small contours from wheel wells depending on the load.

Split-folding design

All Crosstrek trims come with 60/40-split rear seatbacks, allowing you to fold one side or both sides as needed to balance cargo and passenger space.

Load floor and comfort

Folding the seatbacks provides a near-flat cargo floor, which makes loading larger items easier. Expect minor floor irregularities near the wheel wells, especially with taller loads or irregular shapes.

Cargo space and practical load

Here are the typical cargo space figures you’ll encounter in most model years when the seats are up vs. folded:

• Behind the rear seats (seats up): about 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space.


• With the rear seats folded: up to about 55.3 cubic feet of cargo space.

Note: exact numbers can vary slightly by model year and trim due to features like the spare tire layout or cargo-floor design, but the 60/40 folding scheme and the roughly 55.3 cubic feet with seats down remain consistent advantages of the Crosstrek lineage.

How to fold the rear seats

Folding the Crosstrek’s rear seats is designed to be straightforward. Release levers are located on the top of each seatback (and in some trims, accessible from the cargo area), allowing independent or combined folding.

1. Clear items from the seatbacks and interior to avoid obstruction.


2. Release the latch or lever on the top of the seatback you want to fold (left, right, or both).


3. Push the seatback forward until it lies flat against the cargo floor.


4. Repeat on the other side if you need the full 55.3 cubic feet of space.

After folding, ensure the seatbacks are securely latched and that the cargo floor is stable before loading heavier items.

Model-year notes and variants

Across current Crosstrek variants—gasoline and hybrid—the 60/40-split rear seats are standard, ensuring consistent folding capability and cargo expansion. Some trims offer cargo-area enhancements like tie-downs, a cargo cover, and folding rear seats as part of the standard package or options.

Summary

The Subaru Crosstrek is built for practical versatility. Its rear seats fold down in a 60/40 split, allowing you to customize passenger and cargo space. When folded, the seats create a near-flat loading surface and unlock up to 55.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity, with 20.8 cubic feet available behind the rear seats when upright. The folding mechanism is straightforward, with independent folding on each side and release levers located on the seatbacks or from the cargo area, depending on trim.

Can you sleep in the back of a Subaru Crosstrek?

Yes, you can definitely sleep in a Subaru Crosstrek! When you fold down the back seats, you get about 51.9 cubic feet of space. This creates a sleeping area about 66 inches long and 41 inches wide.

What are the downsides of a Subaru Crosstrek?

Downsides of the Subaru Crosstrek include poor acceleration in the base engine, potential issues with the CVT and electrical systems, and a lack of cabin sound insulation. Other concerns involve easily chipped paint, fragile windshields, and limited cargo and interior space compared to larger vehicles.
 
Performance and mechanical issues

• Underpowered engine: The base 2.0-liter engine can feel sluggish, especially when merging or passing on highways. 
• CVT concerns: Some owners have reported premature wear, shuddering, or delayed acceleration from the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). 
• Excessive oil consumption: Older models have been noted for excessive oil consumption, requiring more frequent top-offs. 
• Steering and handling: Some earlier models have been criticized for handling issues, including fishtailing or pulling to one side. 

Electrical and technology problems 

• Infotainment glitches: Issues such as slow response times, screen freezing, Bluetooth connectivity problems, and unresponsiveness have been reported.
• Electrical malfunctions: Some models have experienced electrical problems with instrument panels affecting driver-assist features or infotainment systems. 

Body and interior complaints

• Poor sound insulation: The cabin is not well-insulated, leading to significant road, wind, and engine noise at various speeds. 
• Fragile paint and windshields: The paint can easily chip, and the windshields are prone to cracking from minor impacts. 
• Limited space: As a subcompact SUV, the cargo and interior space can feel cramped for families or those with a lot of gear. 

Other potential downsides

• High replacement costs: Issues like a cracked windshield with the EyeSight system require expensive recalibration upon replacement. 
• Overly sensitive driver-assist features: Some owners find the driver-assistance systems to be overly sensitive and disable them. 

What is the lawsuit against the Subaru Crosstrek?

The class-action lawsuit that claimed Subaru's Starlink infotainment systems are defective has reached a final settlement. The agreement affects the 2018 Subaru Forester, 2018 Subaru Outback, 2018 Crosstrek, 2018 Legacy, 2017-2018 Impreza, and 2018 BRZ.

Why is Subaru discontinuing the Crosstrek?

Subaru is not discontinuing the Crosstrek model line entirely, but the Crosstrek Hybrid (PHEV) was discontinued in the U.S. due to slow sales and Subaru's strategic shift toward new hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) platforms that will be shared with Toyota. Subaru is still producing the standard Crosstrek and is developing new hybrid and EV models based on its new Global Platform, which will offer a new hybrid system for the Crosstrek in the future. The discontinuation of the manual transmission option was also driven by declining demand. 
This video discusses the reasons behind the discontinuation of the Crosstrek Hybrid and Subaru's future plans for electrification: 46sAlex PrestigiacomoYouTube · Jun 9, 2025

• Hybrid model discontinued: The Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid was dropped after a short run in the U.S. because it only accounted for a small percentage of total sales. 
• Strategic shift to new platforms: Subaru is focusing on developing new hybrid and EV models using its new Global Platform, which is designed to accommodate these powertrains. The company is working with Toyota on future EV platforms to improve profitability and innovation. 
• Manual transmission phased out: The manual transmission option was discontinued due to declining sales, as a small percentage of buyers opted for it compared to automatic transmissions. 
• Standard Crosstrek remains available: The gasoline-powered Crosstrek continues to be a popular and available model. 
• Future hybrid return: Subaru has stated that it will launch a new hybrid Crosstrek in the future, likely with a new hybrid system and on the new Global Platform. 

This video explains the changes coming to the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek, including updates to the powertrain options: 55sAlex PrestigiacomoYouTube · Nov 4, 2024