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What is Subarus smallest SUV?

The Crosstrek is Subaru's smallest SUV, known as the XV in many international markets. It sits at the entry point of Subaru's SUV lineup, delivering compact dimensions with standard all-wheel drive.

The Crosstrek blends hatchback practicality with SUV versatility, offering light off-road capability, solid cargo space for its size, and a reputation for reliability. It's still smaller than the Forester and Outback, and as of 2025 it remains Subaru's smallest SUV.

Where it fits in Subaru's lineup

In Subaru's model ladder, the Crosstrek is the entry-level SUV, positioned below the larger Forester, Outback, and Ascent. Since its introduction in 2012 (marketed as XV outside the U.S.), it has been the brand's best-selling compact model in many regions due to its combination of all-wheel drive capability and efficiency.

Key characteristics that define its size

Several factors establish the Crosstrek as Subaru's smallest SUV: its exterior footprint, interior packaging, and drivetrain choices emphasize maneuverability without sacrificing the all-wheel-drive personality the brand is known for.

Classification and footprint: subcompact SUV, smaller than the Forester and larger models in Subaru's lineup.

Interior and cargo: compact interior with about 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to roughly 55 cubic feet with seats folded (figures vary by model year).

Power and transmission: 2.0-liter flat-four engine producing about 152 horsepower, paired with Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive; most trims use a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Market naming: known as Crosstrek in the United States and Canada; marketed as the XV in Europe, Asia, and other regions.

These details illustrate why the Crosstrek holds the title of Subaru's smallest SUV — it is compact in size, efficient in packaging, and still offers the brand's AWD capability and versatility.

How it stacks up against common rivals

To place the Crosstrek in context, buyers often compare it to other subcompact SUVs in the market. The Crosstrek differentiates itself with standard all-wheel drive and a taller stance, while some rivals offer AWD only as an option or not at all.

Rivals include subcompact options such as the Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross, Mazda CX-30, and Hyundai Kona. These models are generally similar in size but vary in drivetrain availability and interior packaging.

Drivetrain advantage: Crosstrek commonly ships with AWD as standard, while many rivals offer AWD as an option, potentially affecting price and fuel economy comparisons.

Practicality: cargo capacity and rear-seat space are competitive with subcompact rivals, though precise numbers vary by trim and year.

In short, the Crosstrek remains Subaru's smallest SUV by footprint and is marketed around its blend of compact convenience and all-wheel-drive capability.

Summary

Bottom line: The Subaru Crosstrek is the brand's smallest SUV, offering a subcompact footprint, standard all-wheel drive, and practical cargo space that suits urban life and light off-road trips. In markets outside the US, it is known as the Subaru XV.

What is the number one selling small SUV?

The best-selling compact SUV is the Toyota RAV4, praised for its practicality, efficiency, and reliability. Other top-selling models include the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue, which are known for being well-rounded, reliable, and well-equipped, often with hybrid options available.

This video discusses the sales performance of Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V: 54sCar ConfectionsYouTube · Jan 25, 2025
Toyota RAV4

Best-selling status: It has become America's best-selling vehicle, not just SUV, and is known for its reliability.
Availability: Comes with gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrain options.

Honda CR-V

Popularity: A long-time top seller that balances being reliable, practical, and well-rounded.
Availability: Also available as a hybrid model.

Nissan Rogue

Key features: Praised for its fuel efficiency, comfortable seats, and extensive list of standard tech and safety features.

Other popular compact SUVs

Chevrolet Equinox: A spacious and comfortable option with a compliant ride.
Ford Escape: Known for its easy driving experience and available hybrid powertrains.
Subaru Forester: A practical choice with standard all-wheel drive, built for both city and off-road use.
Hyundai Tucson: Often cited for balancing space and maneuverability with a lot of safety features.
Mazda CX-30: A stylish and efficient subcompact option.

This video reviews top-selling compact SUVs for 2025: 59sMotormouthYouTube · Oct 19, 2024

What is the best Subaru for seniors?

The best Subaru for seniors is often considered to be the Forester due to its excellent safety ratings, comfortable and elevated seating, great visibility, and simple, user-friendly controls. Other top recommendations include the Outback, which offers easy entry and exit with standard all-wheel drive, and the Legacy sedan, which provides a quiet and comfortable cabin for those who prefer a traditional car.

You can watch this video to learn more about the safest SUVs for seniors, including the Subaru Forester: 57sAuto WheelsYouTube · Jan 13, 2025
Subaru Forester

Safety: Consistently earns high safety ratings from organizations like the IIHS and NHTSA.
Visibility: Provides excellent front and rear visibility, making it easier to navigate.
Ease of Access: The elevated seating position makes getting in and out easier.
Controls: Features intuitive and easy-to-use controls.
Features: Comes standard with advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning, with higher trims adding blind-spot monitoring.

Subaru Outback

Comfort: Offers a comfortable ride with standard all-wheel drive and high ground clearance.
Accessibility: Is easy to get in and out of, with a lower tailgate than many other SUVs.
Practicality: Provides SUV-like utility and ample space.

Subaru Legacy

Comfort: The sedan is known for its quiet cabin.
Safety: Achieves high safety ratings and comes with many of the same safety features as the SUVs.
Accessibility: Offers a traditional car experience with a quiet ride and easy-to-use controls.

Other models to consider

Subaru Crosstrek: A good option for those with an active lifestyle, offering all-wheel drive and higher ground clearance in a smaller package.

You can also watch this video to learn more about the Subaru Legacy: 1mCarLandTVYouTube · Apr 16, 2025

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

Which is smaller, a Subaru Outback or Forester?

The Subaru Forester is the smaller vehicle, measuring shorter and narrower, while the Subaru Outback is longer and wider but shorter in height. The Outback has more standard cargo space, while the Forester offers more passenger volume and is more maneuverable due to its more compact dimensions.
You can watch this video to see a comparison of the exterior dimensions and body styles of the Subaru Outback and Forester: 53sVagabond BuildsYouTube · Mar 24, 2025
Subaru Forester

Shorter and narrower: It is more compact, making it easier to maneuver and park in tight city spaces.
More passenger volume: Offers slightly more overall passenger space and headroom due to its taller profile.
Less cargo space: Provides less standard cargo room behind the second row compared to the Outback.

Subaru Outback

Longer and wider: Its larger exterior dimensions give it a longer wheelbase and a more spacious feel, especially in the rear seats.
More cargo space: Has more standard and maximum cargo capacity.
Lower and wider stance: This can make it feel smoother over uneven terrain.

This video demonstrates the cargo space differences between the Subaru Outback and Forester: 1mAlex PrestigiacomoYouTube · Aug 17, 2024

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.