Loading

Does the Subaru Crosstrek sit up high?

The Crosstrek sits higher than a typical compact car, thanks to its crossover design and about 8.7 inches of ground clearance. This delivers a tall driving position and improved visibility without sacrificing city maneuverability.


How high is the Crosstrek?


The Crosstrek’s elevated stance comes from its crossover chassis and standard all‑wheel drive on most trims. The standout figure is ground clearance, which measures 8.7 inches (22 cm) and allows the driver to approach rough roads and light off‑roading with less concern than a sedan.


Key measurements that affect height


Key measurements that affect how high the Crosstrek sits:



  • Ground clearance: 8.7 inches (22 cm), providing a tall stance for obstacles and light off-road use.

  • Center of gravity and suspension: tuned to balance visibility and stability with a higher ride compared with sedans.

  • Approach/departure capability: optimized for snow and uneven surfaces, while staying practical for daily driving.


Overall, these measurements place the Crosstrek firmly in the higher end of the compact crossover class, offering a practical blend of visibility, approach to obstacles, and everyday usability.


Practical implications for daily driving


A higher ride height enhances ingress/egress ease and outbound visibility, which many drivers prize for urban commutes and poor-weather conditions. The trade-off is a somewhat higher center of gravity, which can slightly affect handling in aggressive cornering compared with lower-hung hatchbacks. For those who value light off-road capability, the elevated stance translates to greater confidence on gravel roads, snow, and unpaved paths.


In practice


In everyday use, the Crosstrek’s height translates to a commanding road view without the bulk of a larger SUV. The combination of a raised seating position and standard AWD helps with winter driving and light trail use, while the compact footprint keeps parking and city maneuvering manageable.


Summary


Bottom line: yes—the Subaru Crosstrek sits up high for a compact crossover. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, a tall driving position, and standard all-wheel drive on most trims, it offers a practical balance of visibility, versatility, and light off‑road capability in a small footprint.

What Subaru sits the highest?


The Subaru with the highest ground clearance is the Outback Wilderness at 9.5 inches. The Forester Wilderness is a close second at 9.2 inches, while the standard Outback and Forester models have 8.7 inches of ground clearance. If you're asking about overall vehicle height, the Ascent is the tallest and largest model, though its ground clearance is 8.7 inches.
 
Highest ground clearance

  • Outback Wilderness: 9.5 inches
  • Forester Wilderness: 9.2 inches
  • Standard Outback and Forester: 8.7 inches 

Overall vehicle height
  • Ascent: The tallest and largest overall Subaru, measuring 71.6 inches tall. 
  • Forester: Slightly taller in profile than the Outback due to its boxier design. 



Do you sit higher in a Forester or Crosstrek?


Forester is four inches taller.
And you notice that you sit higher in the Forester, even though both vehicles give you a "command driving position" (the auto industry term that describes that great feeling of sitting high in a vehicle so you can see what's ahead).



How high does a Subaru Crosstrek sit?


The Subaru Crosstrek's ride height varies by model, with standard models having a ground clearance of 8.7 inches and a total height of about 62.8 to 63.0 inches. The Crosstrek Wilderness trim has a higher ground clearance of 9.3 inches and a total height of approximately 63.6 inches. 

Feature Standard Models Wilderness Model
Ground Clearance 8.7 inches 9.3 inches
Total Height 62.8 – 63.0 inches 63.6 inches
(function(){
(this||self).Wufxzb=function(c,e,f,l,k){var d=document.getElementById(c);if(d&&(d.offsetWidth!==0||d.offsetHeight!==0)){c=d.querySelector("div");var g=c.scrollWidth-c.offsetWidth,h=Math.min(e?g:0,g);c.scrollLeft=e&&(l||f)?0:h;var a=d.getElementsByTagName("g-left-button")[0],b=d.getElementsByTagName("g-right-button")[0];a&&b&&(e=RegExp("\\btHT0l\\b"),f=RegExp("\\bpQXcHc\\b"),a.className=a.className.replace(e,""),b.className=b.className.replace(e,""),h===0?a.className="pQXcHc "+a.className:(a.className=
a.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("pA30Ne")),h===g?b.className="pQXcHc "+b.className:(b.className=b.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("FpCCub")),setTimeout(function(){a.className+=" tHT0l";b.className+=" tHT0l"},50))}};}).call(this);(function(){var id='_B9slae6wNrWLi-gP2Nml-As_156';var rtl=false;var gecko=false;var edge=false;var soh=false;
(this||self).Wufxzb(id,rtl,gecko,edge,soh);})();



Are crosstreks low to the ground?


On the Subaru Crosstrek, the ground clearance is 8.7 inches. On the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness, the ground clearance is 9.3 inches.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.