The Subaru Crosstrek has maintained its position as a versatile and capable compact crossover that bridges the gap between everyday urban commuting and weekend adventure capability. With the latest model year arriving at dealerships, potential buyers have to choose between the new and previous year variants. This comparison examines the key differences, improvements, and considerations between these two model years.
2025 Blue Subaru Crosstrek
Design Evolution
The 2024 Crosstrek represented a significant redesign in the model’s history, featuring a more rugged and athletic exterior styling with redesigned front fascia, hexagonal grille, and more pronounced wheel arches. The new model largely maintains this fresh design language but introduces subtle refinements. New exterior colour options, including the striking Sapphire Blue Pearl and Desert Khaki, give buyers more personalization choices.
The latest model also features slightly revised front and rear bumper designs that enhance the vehicle’s approach and departure angles, improving its off-road capability. Both model years retain the impressive 220 mm of ground clearance that has become a Crosstrek hallmark, enabling confident driving on rough terrain while maintaining a reasonably low center of gravity for improved on-road handling.
Powertrain and Performance
Both models of the Crosstrek offer similar powertrain options. The base engine remains a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Boxer engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. Higher trim levels continue to offer the more powerful 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.
However, the newer model introduces improved transmission programming for the Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), resulting in more responsive acceleration and better fuel economy. The new Crosstrek achieves approximately 7.8 L/100 km combined, a slight improvement over the previous model’s 8.0 L/100 km. The dual-function X-MODE system with hill descent control remains standard across both model years, though the new version includes recalibrated settings for improved performance in snow and mud.
The Crosstrek Hybrid, featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain, remains unchanged for both model years. It combines a 2.0-litre engine with electric motors for improved efficiency and the ability to travel up to 27 kilometres on electric power alone.
Technology and Connectivity
The most significant updates appear in the technology department. While the 2024 Crosstrek introduced the dual 7-inch or available 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system, the latest model refines this system with faster processing speeds and more intuitive menu layouts. The wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which occasionally suffered connectivity issues in the previous model, have been improved with more stable connections.
New is the enhanced Subaru Starlink connected services, which now include remote engine start with climate control functionality through the smartphone app, allowing drivers to pre-condition their vehicle’s interior temperature before entering. It also introduces an available 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, replacing the previous 8-speaker system in the 2024 model.
Safety Enhancements
The Subaru commitment to safety continues with the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology standard on both model years when equipped with CVT. The new model introduces the latest generation of this system, featuring a wider field of view, improved low-light performance, and the addition of emergency steering assist, which helps avoid collisions while keeping the vehicle in the lane.
The Crosstrek also features an upgraded Blind-Spot Detection system with automatic emergency braking for rear cross-traffic situations, a feature not available on the older model. Additionally, the new model introduces a new driver monitoring system that alerts drivers showing signs of fatigue or distraction, adding another layer of safety.
Interior Comfort and Convenience
Interior dimensions remain largely unchanged between the two model years, with both offering comfortable seating for five passengers and 588 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,565 litres with the seats folded. However, the new model introduces improved seat materials with better bolstering and additional lumbar support for the driver’s seat.
New for the top trim level are ventilated front seats, addressing a notable feature absence in the previous model. The latest model also features upgraded interior materials, including soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard and door panels, which give the cabin a more premium feel compared to the previous version.
Top 5 Best Features
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive – Subaru’s legendary AWD system provides excellent traction in all weather conditions and light off-road situations, now with improved torque distribution in the new model.
- Enhanced EyeSight System – The latest model’s updated driver assistance technology offers wider field of view and new emergency steering assist functionality.
- 11.6-inch Vertical Touchscreen – Available on both models but refined in the new version with faster processing and improved interface design.
- 220mm Ground Clearance – Both model years maintain this impressive specification, striking a balance between off-road capability and daily drivability.
- X-MODE with Hill Descent Control – The dual-function off-road management system has been improved in the new model, featuring enhanced calibration for improved performance in snow and mud conditions.
5 Facts About the Subaru Crosstrek
- The flat Boxer engine in the Crosstrek design lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity by approximately 10mm compared to conventional engines, improving handling and stability.
- Subaru engineers conducted over 1,000 hours of extreme weather testing in northern regions to calibrate the Crosstrek all-wheel drive system.
- The name “Crosstrek” replaced “XV” in North American markets in 2016, though the vehicle is still sold as the “XV” in some global markets.
- The Crosstrek can wade through water up to 500mm deep without modification thanks to its sealed electrical components and raised air intake.
- Both Crosstrek models are built on Subaru’s Global Platform, which increases rigidity by 70% compared to the previous generation platform.
Questions and Answers
What are the main visual differences between the 2024 and 2025 Crosstrek models?
The visual differences are subtle, with the newer model featuring slightly revised front and rear bumpers that improve approach and departure angles. Additionally, the latest model introduces new exterior colour options, including Sapphire Blue Pearl and Desert Khaki.
Has fuel efficiency improved in the new Crosstrek?
Yes, it shows slight improvement in fuel efficiency, achieving approximately 7.8 L/100 km combined compared to the 2024 model’s 8.0 L/100 km, thanks to refined CVT programming.
Are there any significant powertrain changes between the two model years?
Both model years offer the same engine options (2.0-litre and 2.5-litre Boxer engines), but the new model features improved CVT transmission programming for better responsiveness and efficiency.
What technology improvements does the new Crosstrek offer over the previous model?
The latest model offers faster infotainment processing, more stable wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, enhanced Subaru Starlink services with remote climate control, and an available 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
Is the cargo space different between the 2024 and 2025 models?
No, cargo capacity remains identical at 588 litres with the rear seats up and 1,565 litres with the seats folded down in both model years.
What safety features are new for the Crosstrek?
Enhanced EyeSight system with wider field of view and emergency steering assist, improved Blind-Spot Detection with automatic rear braking, and a new driver monitoring system for fatigue and distraction.
Has the ground clearance changed for the latest model?
No, both models maintain the same 220mm of ground clearance, a key selling point for the vehicle’s off-road capability.
Are there interior comfort improvements in the new model?
Yes, it features improved seat materials with better bolstering, additional lumbar support for the driver, ventilated front seats on top trims, and upgraded soft-touch materials throughout the cabin.
Does the new Crosstrek have better off-road capability than the older model?
The latest model offers slightly improved off-road capability, thanks to recalibrated X-MODE settings that enhance performance in snow and mud, as well as revised bumpers that provide better approach and departure angles.
Are the dimensions of the new Crosstrek different from last year’s model?
No, the external and internal dimensions remain identical between the two model years, with the same wheelbase, overall length, width, height, and passenger space.