New Subaru Crosstrek arrives in the UK with £34k price tag

• Only available as a mild hybrid
• Prices start from £34,290
• On sale in the UK now

The Subaru Crosstrek is now available to order in the UK, with prices starting from £34,290. The small SUV is the latest offering from the Japanese brand, aiming to steal buyers away from the popular Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai.

What is the Subaru Crosstrek?

The new Subaru Crosstrek is essentially a facelifted version of the current Subaru XV; a rugged, family hatchback that first went on sale in the UK in 2017. Initially unveiled in Japan in 2022, the Crosstrek entered production there and in North America earlier this year. Although the Crosstrek name has been used overseas for more than a decade, this is the first time it has appeared in the UK, directly replacing the XV.

The XV was never a big seller here, but Subaru hopes that the rejuvenated Crosstrek will appeal to UK buyers with its mild hybrid powertrain, refreshed SUV styling and updated interior. 

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The Crosstrek shares the same proportions as the outgoing model, so it sits somewhere between a small SUV and rugged hatchback in terms of size. A new front bumper with slimmer headlights helps to bring its appearance up to date, as do the new sharper tail-lights. Chunky black plastic cladding adorns all sides of the Crosstrek, bolstering its SUV image whilst providing some protection from scrapes and dings.

What do we know about engine options?

So far, the Crosstrek is only available with one engine: Subaru’s trusty e-Boxer mild hybrid unit, which has carried over from the outgoing XV. The system uses a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder boxer engine, so-called due to the way the pistons move horizontally towards each other, in a fashion similar to throwing a punch.

This engine works in tandem with a small electric motor, as part of the mild hybrid system. Subaru hasn’t provided details on any changes to the engine, but power has decreased to 134bhp, down from the 148bhp of the XV.

Subaru XV SUV review

Standard on all models is Subaru’s famous four-wheel drive system, including the ‘X-Mode’ feature found on the XV. Those who like to venture off the beaten track will appreciate the different drive modes that X-Mode offers; you can select between Normal, Snow/Mud and Deep Snow/Mud terrain modes – handy for navigating through slippery, off-road scenarios.

The only gearbox option is Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT unit, which doesn’t actually feature any gears at all. From the driver’s point of view, it operates in the same manner as a traditional automatic, although under the skin it works quite differently – if you’d like to learn more, make sure to read our explainer on what a CVT automatic is. 

What’s new in the interior of the Crosstrek?

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The most noticeable change from the XV to the Crosstrek is the new 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen that dominates the centre of the dashboard, now featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The Crosstrek sticks to physical temperature controls and a traditional gear selector. Other standard features include DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and voice-activated controls. Subaru will also fit all Crosstreks with its EyeSight package – a collection of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance.

Subaru only offers two trim levels for the Crosstrek– Limited and Touring. Touring is the pricier option, featuring the standard kit mentioned above plus integrated navigation and USB connectivity for the rear seats.

How much will the Crosstrek cost and when can I order one?

The entry-level Limited model starts from £34,290, putting it roughly on par with a similarly-equipped Kia Sportage or Nissan Qashqai. The Touring model, with its additional interior features, is priced at £36,290. Both are available to order in the UK now.

More budget-friendly trim levels are available in other markets overseas, but it’s unclear whether they will make it to the UK.

To find out more about the best small SUVs on sale, make sure to read our top 10 list…