How well is the Subaru crosstrek rated?

Overall, the Crosstrek earns solid, favorable ratings for safety, value, and standard all-wheel drive, though it isn’t the most powerful or refined in its class. Reviewers commonly praise its practicality and reliability, while noting that the engine’s performance and interior polish aren’t as strong as some rivals.

What critics say about safety, value, and practicality

The following sources provide a snapshot of Crosstrek ratings across safety, value, and overall performance.

• U.S. News & World Report often places the Crosstrek high in subcompact SUV rankings, highlighting safety features, all-wheel-drive capability, and solid value retention.


• Car and Driver emphasizes the Crosstrek’s practicality, generous cargo space for the segment, and off-road versatility, while noting its modest acceleration and refined highway ride.


• Edmunds gives the Crosstrek favorable ratings for practicality and value, with some caveats about interior materials and engine performance.


• IIHS safety tests frequently award the Crosstrek strong crashworthiness results, and many configurations earn Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with appropriate headlights and safety tech.


• J.D. Power reports solid reliability and owner-satisfaction scores for the Crosstrek within the subcompact SUV class, contributing to its overall appeal.


• Consumer Reports typically highlights the Crosstrek’s stability, safety credentials, and predicted reliability, while occasionally pointing out infotainment and interior quality weaknesses.

Taken together, these ratings show a Crosstrek that shines in safety, value, and all-wheel-drive practicality, while its power and interior feel are common points of critique.

Safety and technology highlights

Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance suite is typically standard on Crosstrek models, contributing to strong driving-aid capabilities such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Official safety tests from IIHS generally reflect high crashworthiness, with performance depending on trim and headlights. The Crosstrek’s modern infotainment and connectivity options are functional, though some rivals offer more polished interfaces or higher-end materials.

Safety ratings and driver assist

IIHS safety results are a primary reason buyers consider the Crosstrek, with top marks in crashworthiness on most configurations. The standard EyeSight system adds a suite of driver-assistance features that many owners rely on for daily driving and year-round usability.

Infotainment and interior tech

Inside, the Crosstrek emphasizes practicality and straightforward controls. Connectivity is adequate for the class, but some reviewers find the material quality and overall refinement behind some competitors in the segment.

Performance, efficiency and value

The Crosstrek is built around a compact, efficient engine with all-wheel drive as a core feature. Most trims rely on a small four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT, delivering adequate daily performance and confident traction in adverse weather or light off-road conditions. While this setup suits commuting and family duties, it is generally not regarded as sporty, and some rivals offer stronger acceleration or more engaging driving dynamics. Fuel economy is competitive for the class, and the Crosstrek’s AWD capability contributes to favorable ownership value. Off-road ability is notable for a subcompact SUV, thanks to ground clearance, drivetrain tuning, and standard AWD on most versions.

What buyers should know about ownership and costs

Subaru offers a straightforward warranty package and predictable maintenance costs compared with some rivals. Buyers should consider potential long-term ownership costs, including insurance and fuel, as well as any trim-specific options that affect equipment levels and perceived value.

Bottom line for prospective buyers

The Crosstrek earns strong marks for safety, practicality, and value, making it a compelling choice in the subcompact SUV segment for families and active buyers who value all-wheel drive and versatility. If you prioritize high-end interior materials, punchy acceleration, or a more refined highway ride, you may want to compare with a few competitors to ensure the best fit.

Summary

In summary, the Subaru Crosstrek is well-regarded for safety, value, and AWD capability, with reviewers consistently praising its practicality and reliability. Its weakest points tend to be engine power and interior refinement relative to some rivals. For many buyers, the Crosstrek strikes a solid balance between everyday usability and versatile performance, backed by favorable safety credentials and a strong reputation for longevity.

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. 

Which is better, the Toyota RAV4 or the Subaru Crosstrek?

The better SUV depends on your priorities: choose the Toyota RAV4 for more power, greater interior and cargo space, and a strong reputation for reliability. The Subaru Crosstrek is the better choice for standard all-wheel drive, off-road capability, a lower starting price, and a more modern interior design. 
This video compares the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Crosstrek to help you decide which one is right for you: 59sAutomotive Anonymous YouTube · Jan 12, 2025
Toyota RAV4

• Performance: Offers a more powerful engine with quicker acceleration and slightly better fuel economy, especially in the hybrid model. 
• Space: Provides more interior space for passengers and a significantly larger cargo area. 
• Reliability: Has a stronger reputation for long-term reliability. 

Subaru Crosstrek

• Standard AWD: Comes standard with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, while the RAV4 requires a higher trim for AWD. 
• Off-road capability: Features higher ground clearance and standard off-road features like X-MODE and a higher ride height, making it better for trails and rough terrain. 
• Value: Has a lower starting price, which can be more budget-friendly. 
• Interior: Features a more modern design with a large vertical touchscreen, though the materials may feel less premium than the RAV4. 

How does the Subaru Crosstrek rank?

The Subaru Crosstrek receives high reliability ratings from organizations like RepairPal and J.D. Power. It also achieves a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. However, Edmunds gives it an average expert rating, citing concerns with the performance of the base engine and the overactive nature of some driver aids, while acknowledging the vehicle's overall comfortable and capable ride. 
Reliability and safety

• Reliability: RepairPal ranks the Crosstrek first out of 26 compact SUVs with a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. J.D. Power gives the 2025 model a "Great" score of 83 out of 100. The average annual repair cost is low, at \$492. 
• Safety: The Crosstrek earned a 5-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While it has performed well in some recent IIHS tests, it did not receive a "Top Safety Pick" designation for 2026, partly due to more stringent IIHS testing standards. 

You can watch this video to learn more about the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek's safety features and performance: 58sAutomotive Anonymous YouTube · Nov 10, 2025
Performance and driving experience

• Performance: Edmunds notes that the base engine can be underpowered, but the optional 2.5L engine provides better acceleration. The Wilderness model is noted as being particularly capable off-road. 
• Ride and handling: The Crosstrek is praised for its comfortable and smooth ride, even on rough roads. It also benefits from Subaru's all-wheel-drive system, providing sure-footedness in various conditions. 
• Driver aids: Edmunds found the driver assistance systems to be overactive at times, with excessive warnings. 

Other considerations

• Interior and cargo: While passenger legroom is good, one review noted a lack of headroom with the sunroof and limited rear passenger space. Cargo space is on the smaller side compared to some competitors. 
• Fuel economy: MPG varies by model, with combined ratings around 25-31 MPG for the gasoline versions and 90 MPGe for the plug-in hybrid. 

What do consumer reports say about the Subaru Crosstrek?

The Crosstrek delivers good fuel economy and impressive ride comfort. Its handling is competent and enjoyable. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission; this combination works fine and gets 29 mpg overall, which is quite good.