Affordability - Only One Subaru SUV Is A Best Value Pick For 2023

What are the best value new small SUV buys for 2023? Cars.com picked fifteen of the best and ranked them in order of price. To make the list, the SUV had to be priced under $30,000, come with standard all-wheel-drive or have it available, be fuel efficient, and have the latest safety features. They are all good value picks, as the median price for non-luxury small SUVs among Cars.com dealers is $34,195.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer LS is the least expensive small SUV, followed by the Hyundai Kona SE, Kia Seltos S, Volkswagen Taos S, Mazda CX-30 S Select, Honda HR-V Sport, Chevrolet Equinox LS, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE, Mazda CX-5 2.5 S, Ford Escape Base, Subaru Crosstrek Premium, Volkswagen Tiguan S, Toyota Corolla Cross LE, Fiat 500X Pop, and Buick Encore GX Select.

photo credit: Schumacher Subaru

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Premium is the best small SUV pick for value. The Crosstrek Premium trim adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handle, fog lights, an all-weather package with heated front seats, Starlink safety and security, and an available 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat.

Add-ons: Optional Package
Median trim price: $28,812
Starting price: $29,365
Fuel economy (city/highway/combined mpg): 28/33/30
Annual fuel costs: $1,950
Warranty: Three years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper; five years/60,000 miles powertrain

Four things set the 2023 Crosstrek apart from the competition

photo credit: Schumacher Subaru

Apart from 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel-drive, the Crosstrek comes with X-Mode for added all-weather performance. The Crosstrek Sport and Limited trim levels add a dual-function X-Mode for additional all-terrain performance.

What is the price of all Crosstrek trim levels?

Even with all trim levels getting a $600 price increase, the Crosstrek remains affordable. The base trim is priced from $24,870, Premium ($26,020), Special Edition ($27,970), Sport ($29,220), Limited ($30,720), and Crosstrek Hybrid ($38,070). Prices include destination and delivery fees ($1,225).

What is Crosstrek's fuel mileage?

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek with the larger 2.5-liter Boxer engine comes with 30 more horsepower and gets an EPA estimated fuel mileage of 27/34 city/highway mpg and 29 combined mpg.

The 2023 Crosstrek with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine gets an EPA-estimated 28/33 mpg and 30 combined mpg.

Cars.com says the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is one of the best hybrid-electric SUV picks for value.

2023 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid
Median trim price: $40,674
Starting price: $38,070
Fuel economy (combined mpg-e): 90
Annual fuel costs: N/A
Warranty: Three years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper; five years/60,000 miles powertrain; eight years/100,000 miles hybrid components

The 2023 Crosstrek Hybrid has all the attributes of the standard Crosstrek but comes with 17 miles of all-electric range.

What is the 2023 Crosstrek Hybrid fuel mileage?

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek hybrid gets the best fuel mileage of any Crosstrek trim level. In Consumer Reports testing, the plug-in Hybrid gets 38/45 city/highway MPGe and 42 combined MPGe.

According to the latest Consumer Reports study, the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is still among the best of the twelve most fuel-efficient SUVs you can buy now. CR says the 2023 Crosstrek Hybrid subcompact SUV scores well overall based on reliability, safety scores, road tests, fuel mileage, and owner satisfaction.

Our take

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid gets the best fuel economy, but the standard Crosstrek has the best small SUV value. Only some people buy the Crosstrek Hybrid because the price is much higher than the standard trim level. The 2023 Crosstrek Premium trim is the best value option and is fuel-efficient.

You Might Also Like: Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Scores Best For 2023 - Check Out 2 Flaws Before You Buy

Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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Photo credit: main image Competition Subaru