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2018
Subaru Crosstrek

Starts at:
$21,795
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2.0i Manual
    Starts at
    $21,795
    23 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded H-4
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2.0i Premium Manual
    Starts at
    $22,595
    23 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded H-4
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2.0i CVT
    Starts at
    $22,795
    27 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded H-4
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2.0i Premium CVT
    Starts at
    $23,595
    27 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded H-4
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2.0i Limited CVT
    Starts at
    $26,295
    27 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Regular Unleaded H-4
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2018 Subaru Crosstrek

Notable features

All-new five-seat compact crossover
Standard all-wheel drive
Based on Subaru Impreza hatchback
Four-cylinder boxer engine
Available EyeSight collision warning/mitigation system
Most fuel-efficient highway rating in class

The good & the bad

The good

Excellent steering
Copious passenger space
Excellent outward visibility
Fuel efficiency
Available safety features

The bad

Absurdly slow
Lack of onboard Wi-Fi
Only one USB port
Cheesy gray plastic cladding
No off-road underbody protection

Expert 2018 Subaru Crosstrek review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Aaron Bragman
Full article
our expert's take

We liked the original Subaru Crosstrek — an Impreza-based, butched-up, soft-roader hatchback — enough that it won our Subcompact SUV Challenge in 2015. Now, a second-generation Crosstrek has arrived, and while it may look similar to the outgoing one, it is indeed an all-new car. Sitting on the new Subaru Global Platform that will form the basis of nearly all of Subaru’s future cars, the 2018 Crosstrek is more than 95 percent new. Again based on the Impreza, it’s a compact hatchback with exceptional interior SUV-like room and standard all-wheel drive.

Go-Anywhere Looks

The change from Impreza to Crosstrek starts with the parts you can see. The Subaru Crosstrek’s sheet metal shares some panels with the Impreza, but gray plastic wheel arches, bumper covers and rocker panels add some durability to the look. It sits visibly higher than the Impreza, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

All the changes, like them or not, really do set it apart from the Impreza; it looks like a very different animal, and this is part of what its customers find appealing, according to Subaru. A lot of customers like that outdoorsy, rugged look — even if far more Crosstreks are sold in urban markets than in rural ones. But that higher ride height helps when dealing with broken pavement and the travails of the urban jungle, as well, such as curbs and potholes. And for buyers who are genuinely outdoorsy, the low overall roof height helps when loading things onto the roof rack.

Fun, But Not Fast

Along with the new platform comes a new engine, although its specs will be familiar. Like the last Crosstrek, the new one comes with a 2.0-liter flat-four engine, this one making 152 horsepower and 145 pounds-feet of torque. That’s up slightly in the horsepower department from the past model. Though not turbocharged, it does now feature direct injection. It can be mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission (one gear more than last year’s five-speed) or a continuously variable automatic with a stepped-gear function meant to make it feel and sound more like a traditional geared automatic. All-wheel drive is standard for both transmissions.

I sampled both transmissions and have come to the rare conclusion that the CVT-equipped model is the one to have. This is odd given my penchant for enjoying shifting on my own, but the problem here is the engine, not the transmission: My biggest beef with the old Crosstrek was that it couldn’t get out of its own way — it was woefully underpowered with both the manual and automatic. This has not been solved with the new vehicle, as the 2.0-liter engine is still anemic. The engine is just gutless; merging onto a swift-moving highway will be challenging, and don’t even think of attempting to pass anyone on a hill or with a full load of passengers or cargo.

From a standing start, it feels like acceleration can be measured with a calendar. If you’ve already got some momentum built, it’s not quite so bad; the Crosstrek responds quickly when you power through a corner. The CVT is well-matched to the engine, always keeping it on boil if you’re driving aggressively, but you’ll need to be prepared for it to rev its heart out as it tries to deliver what little power it has. There’s little oomph below 2,500 rpm, and it seems to run out a little after 4,000 rpm. If you opt for the manual transmission, you’ll be shifting it like mad to try and keep your speed up even on slight grades. Save yourself the angst and go for the CVT; it’s a much more pleasant experience.

The upside of the underwhelming acceleration is top-of-the-pack fuel economy. The Crosstrek is EPA-rated 27/33/29 mpg city/highway/combined with the CVT, 23/29/25 mpg with the manual. Its 33-mpg highway rating is tops for the AWD class, even besting competitors’ front-wheel-drive models. I question whether anyone will get those numbers in practice, however, as they’ll all likely drive with a heavier foot than normal just to keep up with traffic.

The engine performance is the only blemish on what has become a polished, quiet and surprisingly refined vehicle. Base and Premium trims come with 17-inch wheels, and if you plan on doing any rough-road driving or off-road exploring, this is the combination to have (though you can skip the larger 18-inch wheels, whose lower-profile tires aren’t nearly as bump-absorbing, especially off-road). It’s remarkably compliant on two-track rough roads, soaking up bumps and not transmitting any unpleasant vibrations through the steering wheel. Credit the dramatically stiffer structure of the Subaru Global Platform, which has allowed Subaru to get more creative with its suspension and steering tuning.

On-road or off, the Subaru Crosstrek’s steering is excellent. It uses a quick, 13:1 ratio — much sportier than most vehicles in its class and closer to the BRZ sports car than anything else in Subaru’s lineup. This gives the Crosstrek entertaining handling: It’s eager to turn into curves, communicative when it’s in them and easy to control when you get a little over-eager on dirt roads. Just like the BRZ, it’s slow, but once you build some speed, the car’s handling characteristics make it highly entertaining. Maintain momentum in spirited driving, and it’s actually fun to drive.

Maybe You Don’t Really Need a Jeep?

The Crosstrek is surprisingly capable off-road. Subaru included its X-Mode low-speed off-road feature on the Subaru Crosstrek for the first time (it’s already on the Outback and Forester). When activated at speeds below 13 mph, X-Mode changes throttle, stability control, traction control and all-wheel-drive settings to let you get out of sticky off-road situations, or descend slippery slopes with electronic hill descent control. I climbed some steep quarry slopes and descended them again with the computer controlling much of the car’s powertrain and braking actions.

It was an impressive performance for a vehicle that’s not really an off-road machine. It has no underbody skid-plate protection, no true creeper gear and no locking axles, plus it wears all-season on-road tires. But if you have to cross some rough terrain to get to your favorite trailhead or river entry, the Subaru Crosstrek will be perfectly capable of getting you there.

Bigger and Better Inside

The new Crosstrek’s cabin is bigger than the last one. Nearly every dimension has been increased, and while it looks familiar, it’s all-new and much improved. The traditional benefits of Subaru interiors remain: a very low beltline and slim pillars, meaning outward visibility is outstanding in every direction. This is helpful on the highway but also useful off-road, as it allows you to see over the hood easily when negotiating tricky terrain.

The Crosstrek is exceptionally roomy compared with competitors like the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V. It’s far more comfortable, especially for those passengers in the rear seats, but newer competitors like the Jeep Compass and Nissan Rogue Sport are starting to really challenge it in this department.

The same thing is true when it comes to cargo space comparisons. The Crosstrek features 20.8 cubic feet of cargo room, expandable to 55.3 cubic feet with the backseat folded. That’s less than the Honda HR-V, which features 24.3/58.8 cubic feet, but the Honda pays for that with decreased backseat space. The new Nissan Rogue Sport and Jeep Compass both outgun the Crosstrek in cargo space, offering 22.9/61.1 and 27.2/59.8 cubic feet, respectively. The Crosstrek’s advantage is in backseat passenger room, where its width gives it a comfort advantage over any of these competitors.

New Tech, But Not Much of It

Like the Impreza, the new Crosstrek receives Subaru’s next-generation multimedia system. A 6.5-inch touchscreen display is standard and comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Subaru’s Starlink suite of apps that you probably shouldn’t use while driving. Upgrade to a higher trim and you can get an 8-inch display and add navigation by TomTom, as well.

It’s finally a fully modern multimedia system, too. It no longer looks like it’s behind the times, but for a brand that’s going after millennial buyers, it’s curious that there isn’t more tech in this interior. There’s no 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot for passengers’ personal electronics, and there’s only one USB port in the whole car. Those seem like curious oversights in an all-new vehicle targeted specifically at younger buyers.

What tech the Crosstrek does have comes instead in the safety department, where the company’s EyeSight system is optional and include adaptive cruise control. It includes lane departure warning and lane keep assist, as well as forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking. All-wheel drive is also standard in the Subaru Crosstrek, as it is in every Subaru except the BRZ. There are also adaptive LED headlights with high beam assist available.

Prices Remain Appealing

The Subaru Crosstrek is sized like a compact SUV but priced like a subcompact SUV. Its starting price is just $22,710 (including destination fee) for a base 2.0i model with a manual transmission; opting for the automatic transmission adds $1,000. The mid-level Premium trim starts at $23,510, while the top Limited begins at $27,210 and is available only with a CVT. Add all the options, and you’ll top out at $30,655 for a loaded Crosstrek Limited with EyeSight and navigation.

Competitors used to belong just to the subcompact crossover category, including vehicles like the Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-3, Fiat 500X and Nissan Juke. They’re vehicles priced the same as a Crosstrek, but a little bit smaller — some much smaller. That’s starting to change as automakers expand their offerings. The Nissan Rogue Sport is now a very viable direct competitor in size, content and abilities, as is the all-new Jeep Compass. Compare some of them here.

As small SUVs go, this is a pretty good deal for a well-equipped, fun-to-drive, highly useful little machine. The fact that it’s painfully slow just isn’t important to the hundreds of thousands of buyers who’ve snapped it up in the past five years. Now, all the other attributes that made the Subaru Crosstrek so popular have only been improved.

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Detroit Bureau Chief
Aaron Bragman

Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman has had over 25 years of experience in the auto industry as a journalist, analyst, purchasing agent and program manager. Bragman grew up around his father’s classic Triumph sports cars (which were all sold and gone when he turned 16, much to his frustration) and comes from a Detroit family where cars put food on tables as much as smiles on faces. Today, he’s a member of the Automotive Press Association and the Midwest Automotive Media Association. His pronouns are he/him, but his adjectives are fat/sassy.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek review: Our expert's take
By Aaron Bragman

We liked the original Subaru Crosstrek — an Impreza-based, butched-up, soft-roader hatchback — enough that it won our Subcompact SUV Challenge in 2015. Now, a second-generation Crosstrek has arrived, and while it may look similar to the outgoing one, it is indeed an all-new car. Sitting on the new Subaru Global Platform that will form the basis of nearly all of Subaru’s future cars, the 2018 Crosstrek is more than 95 percent new. Again based on the Impreza, it’s a compact hatchback with exceptional interior SUV-like room and standard all-wheel drive.

Go-Anywhere Looks

The change from Impreza to Crosstrek starts with the parts you can see. The Subaru Crosstrek’s sheet metal shares some panels with the Impreza, but gray plastic wheel arches, bumper covers and rocker panels add some durability to the look. It sits visibly higher than the Impreza, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

All the changes, like them or not, really do set it apart from the Impreza; it looks like a very different animal, and this is part of what its customers find appealing, according to Subaru. A lot of customers like that outdoorsy, rugged look — even if far more Crosstreks are sold in urban markets than in rural ones. But that higher ride height helps when dealing with broken pavement and the travails of the urban jungle, as well, such as curbs and potholes. And for buyers who are genuinely outdoorsy, the low overall roof height helps when loading things onto the roof rack.

Fun, But Not Fast

Along with the new platform comes a new engine, although its specs will be familiar. Like the last Crosstrek, the new one comes with a 2.0-liter flat-four engine, this one making 152 horsepower and 145 pounds-feet of torque. That’s up slightly in the horsepower department from the past model. Though not turbocharged, it does now feature direct injection. It can be mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission (one gear more than last year’s five-speed) or a continuously variable automatic with a stepped-gear function meant to make it feel and sound more like a traditional geared automatic. All-wheel drive is standard for both transmissions.

I sampled both transmissions and have come to the rare conclusion that the CVT-equipped model is the one to have. This is odd given my penchant for enjoying shifting on my own, but the problem here is the engine, not the transmission: My biggest beef with the old Crosstrek was that it couldn’t get out of its own way — it was woefully underpowered with both the manual and automatic. This has not been solved with the new vehicle, as the 2.0-liter engine is still anemic. The engine is just gutless; merging onto a swift-moving highway will be challenging, and don’t even think of attempting to pass anyone on a hill or with a full load of passengers or cargo.

From a standing start, it feels like acceleration can be measured with a calendar. If you’ve already got some momentum built, it’s not quite so bad; the Crosstrek responds quickly when you power through a corner. The CVT is well-matched to the engine, always keeping it on boil if you’re driving aggressively, but you’ll need to be prepared for it to rev its heart out as it tries to deliver what little power it has. There’s little oomph below 2,500 rpm, and it seems to run out a little after 4,000 rpm. If you opt for the manual transmission, you’ll be shifting it like mad to try and keep your speed up even on slight grades. Save yourself the angst and go for the CVT; it’s a much more pleasant experience.

The upside of the underwhelming acceleration is top-of-the-pack fuel economy. The Crosstrek is EPA-rated 27/33/29 mpg city/highway/combined with the CVT, 23/29/25 mpg with the manual. Its 33-mpg highway rating is tops for the AWD class, even besting competitors’ front-wheel-drive models. I question whether anyone will get those numbers in practice, however, as they’ll all likely drive with a heavier foot than normal just to keep up with traffic.

The engine performance is the only blemish on what has become a polished, quiet and surprisingly refined vehicle. Base and Premium trims come with 17-inch wheels, and if you plan on doing any rough-road driving or off-road exploring, this is the combination to have (though you can skip the larger 18-inch wheels, whose lower-profile tires aren’t nearly as bump-absorbing, especially off-road). It’s remarkably compliant on two-track rough roads, soaking up bumps and not transmitting any unpleasant vibrations through the steering wheel. Credit the dramatically stiffer structure of the Subaru Global Platform, which has allowed Subaru to get more creative with its suspension and steering tuning.

On-road or off, the Subaru Crosstrek’s steering is excellent. It uses a quick, 13:1 ratio — much sportier than most vehicles in its class and closer to the BRZ sports car than anything else in Subaru’s lineup. This gives the Crosstrek entertaining handling: It’s eager to turn into curves, communicative when it’s in them and easy to control when you get a little over-eager on dirt roads. Just like the BRZ, it’s slow, but once you build some speed, the car’s handling characteristics make it highly entertaining. Maintain momentum in spirited driving, and it’s actually fun to drive.

Maybe You Don’t Really Need a Jeep?

The Crosstrek is surprisingly capable off-road. Subaru included its X-Mode low-speed off-road feature on the Subaru Crosstrek for the first time (it’s already on the Outback and Forester). When activated at speeds below 13 mph, X-Mode changes throttle, stability control, traction control and all-wheel-drive settings to let you get out of sticky off-road situations, or descend slippery slopes with electronic hill descent control. I climbed some steep quarry slopes and descended them again with the computer controlling much of the car’s powertrain and braking actions.

It was an impressive performance for a vehicle that’s not really an off-road machine. It has no underbody skid-plate protection, no true creeper gear and no locking axles, plus it wears all-season on-road tires. But if you have to cross some rough terrain to get to your favorite trailhead or river entry, the Subaru Crosstrek will be perfectly capable of getting you there.

Bigger and Better Inside

The new Crosstrek’s cabin is bigger than the last one. Nearly every dimension has been increased, and while it looks familiar, it’s all-new and much improved. The traditional benefits of Subaru interiors remain: a very low beltline and slim pillars, meaning outward visibility is outstanding in every direction. This is helpful on the highway but also useful off-road, as it allows you to see over the hood easily when negotiating tricky terrain.

The Crosstrek is exceptionally roomy compared with competitors like the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V. It’s far more comfortable, especially for those passengers in the rear seats, but newer competitors like the Jeep Compass and Nissan Rogue Sport are starting to really challenge it in this department.

The same thing is true when it comes to cargo space comparisons. The Crosstrek features 20.8 cubic feet of cargo room, expandable to 55.3 cubic feet with the backseat folded. That’s less than the Honda HR-V, which features 24.3/58.8 cubic feet, but the Honda pays for that with decreased backseat space. The new Nissan Rogue Sport and Jeep Compass both outgun the Crosstrek in cargo space, offering 22.9/61.1 and 27.2/59.8 cubic feet, respectively. The Crosstrek’s advantage is in backseat passenger room, where its width gives it a comfort advantage over any of these competitors.

New Tech, But Not Much of It

Like the Impreza, the new Crosstrek receives Subaru’s next-generation multimedia system. A 6.5-inch touchscreen display is standard and comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Subaru’s Starlink suite of apps that you probably shouldn’t use while driving. Upgrade to a higher trim and you can get an 8-inch display and add navigation by TomTom, as well.

It’s finally a fully modern multimedia system, too. It no longer looks like it’s behind the times, but for a brand that’s going after millennial buyers, it’s curious that there isn’t more tech in this interior. There’s no 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot for passengers’ personal electronics, and there’s only one USB port in the whole car. Those seem like curious oversights in an all-new vehicle targeted specifically at younger buyers.

What tech the Crosstrek does have comes instead in the safety department, where the company’s EyeSight system is optional and include adaptive cruise control. It includes lane departure warning and lane keep assist, as well as forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking. All-wheel drive is also standard in the Subaru Crosstrek, as it is in every Subaru except the BRZ. There are also adaptive LED headlights with high beam assist available.

Prices Remain Appealing

The Subaru Crosstrek is sized like a compact SUV but priced like a subcompact SUV. Its starting price is just $22,710 (including destination fee) for a base 2.0i model with a manual transmission; opting for the automatic transmission adds $1,000. The mid-level Premium trim starts at $23,510, while the top Limited begins at $27,210 and is available only with a CVT. Add all the options, and you’ll top out at $30,655 for a loaded Crosstrek Limited with EyeSight and navigation.

Competitors used to belong just to the subcompact crossover category, including vehicles like the Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-3, Fiat 500X and Nissan Juke. They’re vehicles priced the same as a Crosstrek, but a little bit smaller — some much smaller. That’s starting to change as automakers expand their offerings. The Nissan Rogue Sport is now a very viable direct competitor in size, content and abilities, as is the all-new Jeep Compass. Compare some of them here.

As small SUVs go, this is a pretty good deal for a well-equipped, fun-to-drive, highly useful little machine. The fact that it’s painfully slow just isn’t important to the hundreds of thousands of buyers who’ve snapped it up in the past five years. Now, all the other attributes that made the Subaru Crosstrek so popular have only been improved.

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Available cars near you

Safety review

Based on the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Overall rating
5/5
Combined side rating front seat
5/5
Combined side rating rear seat
5/5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
4/5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
4/5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
4/5
Overall side crash rating
5/5
Rollover rating
4/5
Side barrier rating
5/5
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
15.1%
Risk of rollover
Side barrier rating driver
5/5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5/5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5/5
15.1%
Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 years / 80,000 miles
Basic
Coverage available for purchase
Dealer certification
152-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

4.8 / 5
Based on 348 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.8
Interior 4.8
Performance 4.6
Value 4.8
Exterior 4.9
Reliability 4.9

Most recent

  • My crosstrex Doesn't Start

    My car keeps dieing, I even bought a Charger It still will work 1 day three next it's dead. No one told me I needed to bring it In for fixing. 2023 I brought it in Many many times and Noone said anything!!!???
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 1.0
    3 people out of 15 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Handicap Short Woman

    Only gripe is no adjustable visors and side mirrors. I am short and the visors do not adjust in length. The side mirrors swing in and out but not up and down so there is interference for me. I have the seat adjusted to the max and use a cushion but still have a problem.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Be Careful!

    I have owned Subies for over 25 years and there is no question that they are superior to any other car in bad driving environments. However, problems with headgaskets, oil consumption, wheel bearings, and battery loading really call to question the reliability ratings often associated with them.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 2.0
    23 people out of 32 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Not recommended

    Bought a 2018 crosstrek. I like the styling and handling but the electronics are awful. The radio kept doing weird things subaru couldn't fix in 2 tries, and my window button broke off twice and my window kept doing weird things on and off when I tried to close it. The worst were the paint cracks and chips. I had 4 in 4 years that the subaru dealership wouldn't fix so I had to argue with their headquarters to get them to pay for part of it twice. Just sold it.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 3.0
    7 people out of 9 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Problems - Definitely going to sell it

    Tons of issues with this car. Subaru hasn't been able to fix any of them. Bad Rattle, uphill or low RPM power (1.5k RPM or below). Really jerky transmission response. It'll stay in neutral up hill despite giving it gas, then suddenly JERK as if it's waking up. It burns oil. Would not recommend
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
    5 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Perfect suv

    I love my car. Absolutely love it. When it snowed 14 in. I didn't miss one day of work. I get great gas mileage too.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Love it

    I had purchased a Subaru Forester previously..but, I like the Crosstrek more because it’s not as big. It meets my needs. Some in my family have changed from a Ford to a Subaru because they like my car!
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    8 people out of 9 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • First Used Car

    I bought this car because it is a good commuter for me and will be perfect for my daughter in 4 years. So far, I find it fun and easy to drive without any issues. For such a small car it has lots of space in the back for baseball gear and luggage. My family of 5 fits fine in there, even though my youngest is only 5 and uses a booster seat. Love the orange color!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    5 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • so far so good, seems to be all that Subaru promes

    the car is very user friendly and all family members like driving it. it seems to be very fuel effincent. the tech is also easy to use
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    3 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great commuter and family car in any environment!

    I prefer to buy cars like this that can serve as many purposes as possible: daily driver, commuter, family car, cargo capacity, safe (good crash test results), amazing multimedia interface, amazing backup camera. Horsepower is lower than some competitors in exchange for better gas mileage than the competitors. It's my daily driver bc it gets about 25mpg city and 33mph highway. The All Wheel Drive makes it perfect for curvy roads in wet or icy pavement. The back seats fold down flat which makes the cargo area capable of accommodating furniture itms, large boxes, or a space for your large dog and crate. My trim is the Premium. All 4 seats are comfortable enough to endure a long road trip for your family. My model has heated cloth seats in front. The backup camera is the clearest, HD, sharpest wide-angle camera I've seen on a car. Even though I don't have parking assist sensors, the camera has the parking assist display so you can predict the car's trajectory when you just turn the wheel. The MultiMedia System has so many great features, including: sync your phone via bluetooth or USB to receive calls, texts, read texts aloud, and send texts with voice-to-text; either through bluetooth, USB, or Aux, you can play music and use the interface to change tracks; you can turn off the display, set the brightness, turn on auto brightness to adjust as the ambient light changes, set your "welcome lights" - to have your headlights stay on for a customizeable period after you turn off, exit, and lock the car; turn on and off the 1-touch turn signal; set the clock to sync with your phone. It comes with ApplePlay, (the interface works with Android as well). Another feature I'm really happy with are the 6 cup holders - 1 in each door and 2 between the front seats. This car might not be for you if you want a race car or if you need to tow a trailer often. With only 150hp and about 140 ft-lbs of torque, it feels a little weak. It could be fitted with aftermarket upgrades at the sacrifice of gas mileage. Towing is possible, but it won't be ideal due to slow acceleration. Mine does not have a Navigation package, so I use my phone for nav. The dashboard is relatively flat, with a perfectly flat surface above the stereo. The cubby below the stereo is also deep, wide, and flat. The air vents are right at hand placement, but might not be ideal for vent-mounted phone holders. A surprising feature is the front seats have a cloth/suede strip that you can prop up to catch things from falling between the center console and the seat. It's not far back enough to save items that fall out of your pockets, but it's good for crumbs mostly. Maybe a coin would be saved, but the flap isn't secure in the up posituon, so it'll fall with too much weight. Velcro could be applied to fix that. Or you can buy aftermarket products to fill that seat gap. Being all-wheel drive, towing the car must be done with all 4 wheels on the ground, or all 4 wheels off the ground (on a flatbed truck). There is a tow hook by the spare tire that fits into a socket in either the front or rear bumper. Mine has heated side mirrors which are great for cold frosty mornings. I wish it had blind spot monitors, but these can be purchased aftermarket. It also lacks a sunglasses cubby, but there are cheap aftermarket ways to fix that. I'm very pleased to have bought this car used for a very reasonable price. It's functional, stylish, and fun!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • A Great Car!

    I love the car, it has come fully loaded & we are still learning it. It is the best Christmas gift I ever got before!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Just purchased used

    We do a fair amount of winter travel so wanted an all-wheel drive. We also wanted something economical. So far this fits the bill on the fuel efficiency. My highway and city driving have surpassed the rated mpg. Having owned a Subaru before, I’m certain the winter driving won’t disappoint either. We purchased the Limited edition, so this has all the fancy stuff (Apple CarPlay, moon roof, heated seats). The Eye-Sight safety features are worth the upgrade. The low-end torque is great so you can accelerate from zero with ease. However this 2.0 liter does not have the best power above 45 mph. If you want that, perhaps try the hybrid. They are hard to come by around here. Also the 2021 Crosstrek has an available 2.5L with much the same fuel economy. Way to go Subaru.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek is available in 3 trim levels:

  • (2 styles)
  • Limited (1 style)
  • Premium (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek offers up to 23 MPG in city driving and 29 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?

The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek has an average reliability rating of 4.9 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2018 Subaru Crosstrek owners.

Is the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek a good SUV?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. 96.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.8 / 5
Based on 348 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.8
  • Interior: 4.8
  • Performance: 4.6
  • Value: 4.8
  • Exterior: 4.9
  • Reliability: 4.9

Subaru Crosstrek history

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