When it comes to finding a vehicle you’ll love, it’s all about the approach. Car shopping can be a tedious, confusing, and all-around stressful process that many of us dread when tasked with finding our next vehicle. You concern yourself with price, features, reliability, and more. Whatever you choose, you’ll want a brand you can trust that’ll deliver the value that makes it a worthwhile investment. Subaru is that kind of brand. If you’re already familiar with Subaru’s lineup of vehicles, you’re already keyed into what makes this brand so special. It’s widely recognized for its safety, capabilities, and affordable price point. Subaru is synonymous with vehicles that thrive in a variety of weather conditions and are a fun way to explore.
The brand offers several high-quality models that give their drivers peace of mind. These durable models offer consumers a high resale value, making for great investments. One such model is the Subaru Crosstrek. The Crosstrek is a fun blend of performance and efficiency. It’s a subcompact SUV that drives a lot like a sedan, appealing to customers making the leap into a slightly larger vehicle. If you’ve already explored Subaru Crosstreks for sale, you’re also familiar with this model's enticing, outdoorsy aesthetic. Lots of its appeal comes from its appearance, but it’s more than just rugged, handsome looks. The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is a quality vehicle that’ll simplify your car shopping experience and your life.
A 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Overview
Subaru’s Crosstrek is an impressive subcompact SUV that offers Subaru customers the best of what the brand offers, all in an affordable package. It has a well-balanced, sporty, and rugged design while playing to the feel of the brand’s recognizable look. For the 2023 model year, Subaru added a new Special Edition trim to the lineup. Similar to the Premium trim, it comes in an alluring Desert Khaki exterior paint with 17-inch wheels and dark gray trim around the exterior. Inside the Special Edition, two-tone black and red upholstery raises the look to a new level.
The 2023 Crosstrek is available in six trim levels, including the Base, Premium, Special Edition, Sport, Limited, and Hybrid. You can customize your Crosstrek by picking your favorite trim level, exterior color, interior upholstery or selecting from available packages. Accentuate the adventurous look with available 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels that come in either black with machine or dark gray finish.
Consistent with other noteworthy Subaru models, the Crosstrek includes standard all-wheel drive, making it easy to tackle harsh weather conditions and a wide variety of terrains. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system also assists with distributing power evenly, giving you more traction when you need it. The ride quality is smooth, and the suspension helps absorb the road’s inconsistencies. Every Crosstrek is built with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, adding to its off-roading appeal.
Performance Driven
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek offers plenty of performance without sacrificing efficiency. Thanks to its smaller size, a lighter and more economical engine is plenty to power it while granting you less time at the gas station. With two optional powertrains, you can choose which has more appeal.
The first engine for the 2023 Crosstrek is a 2.0L BOXER engine with an output of 152 hp. This configuration comes standard on the Base trim and Premium trim. Next, you can opt for the 2.5L BOXER that comes standard on the Sport and Limited models, giving you more push with 182 hp. Both of these are equipped with a continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission that helps to increase gas mileage. However, you can also get the Crosstrek Base or Premium with a six-speed manual transmission.
Lastly, there is a plug-in hybrid Crosstrek available with Subaru StarDrive Technology. The most fuel-efficient Crosstrek available, the plug-in hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 90 MPGe. It can be charged using a standard 120-volt outlet or boost charging power by installing a 240-volt charger. The hybrid offers up to 480 miles of range when you fully charge.
The Crosstrek Limited
Having to compare six different trim levels can feel overwhelming. That’s why we wanted to zero in on the trim that offers drivers all the best perks of owning a Crosstrek. For us, that’s the 2023 Crosstrek Limited. Starting at just under $29,495, the Limited is a great way to experience the Crosstrek at its fullest potential. This model features the 2.5L Subaru BOXER engine, giving the extra horsepower that has you craving more time behind the wheel.
It does it without sacrificing efficiency, with an EPA estimated 27 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. It comes standard with robust, 18-inch alloy wheels for a sporty feel. When you opt for the Limited, you get EyeSight Driver Assist Technology as a standard feature. This driver assistance suite works by using 11 sensors that receive traffic data to optimize cruise control and alert you if your vehicle starts leaving the lane.
EyeSight also comes with other useful tools that are designed to support you on the road, like the Pre-Collision Braking system will detect a slow down and can apply braking until you’re at a full stop. Additionally, the Lane Keep Assist feature can help steer you back into the lane should you begin to drift out of it. When you want to relax on a longer commute, the available Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control feature is there to help by allowing you to set the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you so you can stay at a safe distance and avoid a potential accident.
The Limited model automatically comes with ultra-soft leather upholstery in the cabin. Enjoy a spacious 20.8 cu.ft. of cargo space, or fold down the rear seat for up to 55.3 cu.ft. when you need to transport larger items. The front seats are power-adjustable and heated thanks to the All-Weather Package that comes standard with the Limited model. It’s styled with orange contrast stitching to bring a pop of color into the cabin. The entertainment factor is included with your STARLINK 8.0-inch Multimedia infotainment center. It’s integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless Bluetooth. The Limited model is the only one that also includes a 6.3-inch color multifunction display that displays fuel economy, heating and cooling, audio, weather, and the vehicle’s operations.
We also liked the Limited for its inclusion of convenience features. For example, it comes with Keyless Access and Push-Button Start with PIN Code Access. It also has Lineartronic CVT paddle shifters so that you can feel more at one with your Subaru. It is also one of only two trim levels that offer folding rear seat armrests with dual cup holders for your passengers.
A Compelling Crosstrek
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is the full package; it offers a comfortable ride and a fuel-efficient powertrain. It’s fun to drive, and the ride quality is top-notch. Like other Subaru models, the all-wheel drive system and extensive list of safety and driver assistance features mean that your Subaru can go where you need. While each trim level has its own great qualities, we like the Limited model for its unique blend of functional and high-end features. The Crosstrek’s subcompact design gives you car-like handling while balanced with the features you crave in an SUV. With so many desirable features at a great price, there has never been a better time to check out the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek and its Limited model.