Consumer Reports Is Totally Confused With The New Subaru Crosstrek

It's a lifted Impreza, with different superficial cladding, and a higher tow rating. There are different trims. The interior space is the same. They are subcompacts, with smaller roofs and a smaller engine option than the Forester.

This reads like an ad for Subaru products. I'm glad CR doesn't write that way.

We recently test drove a Crosstrek with the 2.5L engine, and found it to have almost adequate acceleration. I can't imagine how "leisurely " it is with the 2.0L. In addition to that, when my wife drove it, no matter how she adjusted it, the seat belt always settled into a position that cut directly across her neck. We bought a different vehicle.

I don't think consumer reports is wrong. Obviously raising the car offers many differences but they share a very similar platform. It is similar to the relationship between the regular imprezza and the imprezza outback sport model in the past. The sport had more travel and could be taken off road. Raising the frame in the crosstrek additionally enhances off road capabilities. Thanks for your interesting articles.

Just bought one and my Cats love it!!

Its literally a lifted impreza. You just said that repeatedly only using different words..!!
Impreza has a lower center of gravity, why? Because its lower, duh.
Crosstrek is better off-road, why? Because its higher....hmmm.
Crosstrek can tow more, why? Because its higher and the suspension can hold more weight before bottoming out.
All these "differences" you mention are all literally proving that the crosstrek is no more than a lifted impreza.
Different seat options....sure I guess.
The roof rail though? They come standard on the crosstrek but can be added to the impreza, why? BECAUSE ITS THE SAME VEHICLE. The impreza is actually cheaper too, so it makes sense for it to have a few less add ons. For anyone who wants the AWD but doesnt actually go off-road (75% people) the Impreza, with its better handling on road is likely the better option.

Great review!

Goofy article. “It is NOT a raised impreza hatchback…” proceeds to describe exactly how Impreza drives differently because it’s *lower*. Food for thought - if they drove exactly the same despite the lift, would you now consider them the same model? Trick question… this isn’t how cars work.

Summing up the actual differences - the crosstrek is a lifted Impreza with X Mode enabled, a slightly better inter cooler, and different seat materials on upper trims. For all practical purposes they are different trim levels of the same car. The Impreza has the same exact roof rails in Premium trim btw.

Hope you get some clicks bro. Keep working on your critical writing and fact checking tho 👍

Subaru sells way more Crosstreks than Imprezas even though they share the same powertrain. Shoppers are still crossover crazy and black plastic cladding crazy. The Impreza, especially in the base trim level, is a terrific value. The higher trims are similar in price to the higher trims of the Crosstrek. The Impreza’s biggest demerit is the lack of a spare tire since the ‘24 model year. Both models have the unfortunate design of integrating the HVAC controls into the infotainment screen. That’s the main reason I wouldn’t buy a Subaru. I do wish they still made the Impreza sedan. If they still made that, I would have overlooked the shortcomings and been a part of the Subaru family.

So it it different than a raised Impreza because it has the same basic body shell and a higher, more commanding view of the road...so basically it is a raised Impreza.

You and CR are both right, but if you need to describe the Crosstrek in one sentence, CR nails it. Most of your points of differention relate only to the Wilderness trim version of the Crosstrek. The basic Crosstrek is, basically, a lifted Impreza with roof rails. No confusion there.

Thanks for setting the record straight!!

I’ve owned both an Impreza and a Crosstrek and while some of the added options you mention are uniquely available on the Crosstrek it is also ENTIRELY true as a way of explaining the two models to a newbie, that a Crosstrek is a raised Impreza. You’re creating unnecessary confusion for clickbait.

I am considering purchasing a Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness with all the extras , do you recommend this model?

I am a 2nd time Crosstrek owner, skier and mountain dweller driving in Utah, Colorado, and Idaho in deep snow and to backcountry trail heads to hike and bike. My first was 2018 Sport with upgraded off road capable tires that out performed many 4x4s. I was hit at 40 mph and that Crosstrek was totaled. The entire front end crumpled, but the cabin was untouched. I walked away with a few bruises. I replaced it 3 days later with Crosstrek Wilderness edition. This bad girl is a tank with additional performance features that further burnish the reputation of Subarus. Predictable, solid, stable under all conditions. This is why there’s a massive representation of Subarus in ski lots. I’ve taken my Wilderness exition on bumped up and steep eroded forest service roads and was stunned by how effortlessly it performed—and this without X-mode! I drive up the steepest paved road in Utah to our mountaintop ski resort and am confident the improved X-mode will make the snowy descents more comfortable. I’ve no reservations about uphill performance especially using paddle shifters. The car gets a lot of attention for the aggressive look. The new upholstery material is excellent. I am a bigger fan than ever as I get all this plus a super comfortable highway ride. Yeah, the mph dropped, but I get workhorse performance and the comfort of top safety. What a winner!

If you raised an Impreza hatchback, it would have a higher center of gravity. I have no idea how the center of gravity is an argument for the Crosstrek not being a raised Impreza.

Further, accessories and cosmetics don't make for a different car. They make for a trim.