Is the Subaru XV a 7 seater?
The Subaru XV is not a seven-seat vehicle. It is a five-seat compact crossover, known as the Crosstrek in the United States, and it does not offer a third-row option.
What is the Subaru XV?
The Subaru XV is a small, all-wheel-drive crossover designed for everyday versatility rather than three-row seating. Sold in many markets under the name XV, it has evolved into the Crosstrek in the United States. It emphasizes efficiency, dependability, and practical interior space for five occupants, rather than a larger capacity cabin.
Seating at a glance
Across model years, the XV/Crosstrek has remained a two-row, five-seat vehicle. There is no factory-installed or widely offered third-row option for this model, which distinguishes it from Subaru’s three-row lineup.
Seating capacity and configuration
Below are the core facts about how seating is arranged and how it affects space inside the vehicle.
- Five seats total, arranged in two rows for passengers.
- Rear seats are typically a 60/40 split and can fold to expand cargo space.
- No official third row or seven-seat configuration is offered for the XV/Crosstrek.
- In the United States, the model is known as the Crosstrek; in other markets it is called the XV.
In short, if you need seven seats in a Subaru, you would look to a different model in the lineup rather than the XV/Crosstrek.
Interior and cargo space
The XV/Crosstrek prioritizes a compact footprint with practical cargo capacity for its class. With the rear seats up, trunk space is modest but usable for daily tasks; folding the rear seats significantly increases cargo volume for larger gear or shopping trips. Standard all-wheel drive helps with traction in varied conditions, a hallmark of Subaru models.
Typical figures for recent years place behind-rear-seat cargo at roughly 20.8 cubic feet, expanding to around 55 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Exact numbers can vary by year and trim, but the five-seat arrangement remains constant across markets.
Markets, naming, and alternatives for seven-seat needs
Subaru’s current lineup focuses the three-row option in a different model. Here’s how the family of models lines up for buyers seeking extra seating beyond the XV/Crosstrek:
- Subaru Ascent — the current three-row, family-oriented SUV, capable of seating seven or eight depending on configuration.
- Historical or regional three-row offerings — Subaru has offered other multipurpose vehicles in the past that included seven seats in certain markets, but these are no longer in production in most regions (examples vary by market and era).
For shoppers who must have seven seats, the Ascent is the closest match in Subaru’s modern lineup, while the XV/Crosstrek remains the five-seat option for those prioritizing a compact footprint, fuel efficiency, and standard all-wheel drive.
Summary
The Subaru XV is not a seven-seater. It is a five-seat compact crossover (known as the Crosstrek in the US) designed for everyday practicality, with two rows of seating and a focus on efficiency and AWD capability. If seven seats are essential, the Subaru Ascent is the current factory-ready option in Subaru’s lineup, while earlier or regional three-row models are now discontinued in most markets. The XV remains a popular choice for buyers who don’t need a third row but want robust all-weather performance and flexible cargo space.
