Inside story of the Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek has long been a favorite among drivers looking for a mix of tough capability and everyday practicality. For 2025, Subaru continues this tradition, offering an interior that’s functional, comfortable, and well-equipped, although not without a few compromises. Here is our review of its cabin, focusing on seats, infotainment, connectivity, practicality, space and materials.
Seating
The Subaru Crosstrek, replacing the outgoing XV, arrived in showrooms in January 2024. Buyers can choose between two trim levels: Limited and Touring.
The front seats offer generous cushioning and bolstering, with the Touring featuring 10-way power adjustment for the driver and available leather upholstery (Touring). Heated front seats are standard on both trims, a welcome feature for colder climates. The seating position is upright and commanding, providing good visibility.
[Source: Subaru]
Rear-seat comfort is good for the segment, with decent legroom and headroom for two adults. Three across is possible, but the middle seat is best reserved for short trips. The rear bench folds 60/40, making it easy to expand cargo space when needed. Getting in and out of the back is easy thanks to wide door openings and a slightly raised ride height.
[Source: Subaru]
Infotainment and connectivity
Subaru has upgraded the Crosstrek’s infotainment. Both trim levels feature an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and multiple USB ports front (Limited) and rear (Touring). The interface is straightforward, with large icons and logical menus, although the system’s response time seems a bit sluggish.
[Source: Subaru]
Physical controls for climate and audio remain, which many drivers appreciate for their tactile feedback and ease of use while driving. The available Harman Kardon premium audio system delivers clear, punchy sound through six speakers.
Practicality and space
The cabin layout is user-friendly, with deep door pockets, a large center console, and plenty of cubbies for phones, drinks, and other essentials. The rear cargo area offers 20.8 cubic feet (about 588 liters) with the seats up, expanding to 55.3 cubic feet (1,566 liters) with them folded — figures that are competitive for the class, though not segment-leading.
The wide hatch opening and low load floor make it easy to stow bulky items, and the split-folding rear seats add flexibility for larger loads. Owners appreciate the flat cargo floor and the absence of a pronounced lip, which simplifies loading and unloading. While some rivals offer more clever storage solutions or slightly larger cargo holds, the Crosstrek’s space is more than adequate for camping gear, sports equipment, or a week’s worth of groceries.
Cabin materials and build quality
Subaru’s focus on durability is evident in the Crosstrek’s choice of materials. The accent is rugged, not plush. Most surfaces are hard plastics, designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor use and family life. While this means the cabin does not feel as upscale as some competitors, it is undeniably robust. Touring adds leather seat trim, power sliding sunroof and illuminated vanity mirrors.
Other technology and features
Subaru’s EyeSight driver assist suite is standard, offering adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and pre-collision braking. Touring adds high-beam assist, hill descent control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Other notable standard features include dual-zone climate control and a power liftgate. Wireless device charging is available, and the cabin is well-insulated from road and wind noise.
Final thoughts
Although the Crosstrek’s interior may not impress with luxury, it excels in practical design. Comfortable seats, an easy-to-use infotainment system, and versatile cargo space make it a top choice for active families and outdoor enthusiasts. Compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona, and Toyota Corolla Cross, the Crosstrek provides more rear seat room and cargo flexibility, although it falls slightly behind in material quality and infotainment features. Its strong points are its combination of comfort, practicality, and off-road ability — a mix few competitors can match.
[Source: Subaru]
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