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The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is a great small SUV, but it's not for everyone. 

Liz (@fitnessadventureswithliz) is trading in her high-mileage Toyota Corolla and looking for a new SUV. She wants a reliable vehicle that she can take her dog Rosie on camping trips and will carry all the cargo and camping gear they take with them.  

In her TikTok video she says,  

"I'm trading in my 2009 Toyota Corolla that has 268,000 miles because it won't last another six months. I checked out the Toyota Corolla Cross first and liked it. Now it's Subaru day, and I'm test-driving the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek."

Before I share Liz's story, imagine living in Canada, where it's cold and snowy, and having a four-wheel-drive vehicle is not a luxury; it's a necessity. You love to take road trips during the summer and go camping with your bulldog, Rosie. 

You have a reliable 2009 Toyota Corolla with high miles and are now looking for an SUV. Your friends have told you about the Subaru Crosstrek and that you should check it out. It sounds like the perfect small SUV that fits your active lifestyle. 

The next-generation Crosstrek is high on your shopping list. 

If you've read my Subaru reports, you know that the Subaru Crosstrek is the ideal subcompact SUV to take off-pavement for hiking, mountain biking, snowboarding in the winter, and camping trips in the summer. 

Liz lives in Canada making the Crosstrek an ideal winter vehicle with its Symmetrical all-wheel-drive for driving in the snow and ice. So, it's no surprise that Subaru Crosstrek is high on her shopping list. However, the test drive did not go as expected. Here is Liz's revealing story.

She says,

"I really liked how the Subaru Crosstrek drove on my test drive, but the only thing I didn't like, and don't come at me because it's a personal preference, I don't like the size of the touchscreen."

"I am test-driving a car, not a laptop."

"I know I haven't bought a new car in fifteen years, and a lot of the technology has changed in vehicles. However, the big screen was too distracting for me. I couldn't do it. Besides that, I love the Crosstrek, which was nice to drive."  

"I also took out the Subaru Outback, and they are both amazing cars. Hands down, they are one of the most amazing test drives I've had so far. The sales guy was terrific, but I was honest with him and told him I didn't like the touchscreen." 

What Are Others Saying About the Subaru Crosstrek?

Reddit users are talking about the large 11.6-inch Crosstrek touchscreen.  

Ichiban-Noodles says, "It's "mildly annoying" is the best way to describe it. Honestly, it's not that bad, and you get used to it fairly quickly. It's not lightning-fast, but it still works fine. Mine hasn't had any issues yet after 3 months of ownership."

Chiaseedmess - It's the same big screen Subaru uses in all its other refreshed models. It works fine. Not fast, but it does the job. The controls are odd, and it's annoying overall. I hate the trend of iPad controls in cars, as do most people, but overall it won't cause any real problems.

The 11.6-inch touchscreen in the new Subaru Crosstrek can be distracting while driving due to its size, laggy response, and the need to take eyes off the road to make adjustments, but some find it functional and prefer it over physical buttons. 

Here's a more detailed look at the pros and cons:

Potential Distractions:

• Large Screen: The large screen can be visually distracting, drawing the driver's attention away from the road. 
• Laggy Response: Some users report that the touchscreen is slow and unresponsive, making it difficult to make quick adjustments while driving. 
• The Need to Take Eyes Off the Road: Adjusting settings, especially those that aren't voice-activated, can require drivers to take their eyes off the road, potentially leading to accidents. 
• Visual Clutter: Some find the screen visually busy with too much information, making it harder to find what they need quickly. 
• Touchscreen Controls: Some drivers prefer physical buttons for climate control, volume, and other functions, as they are easier to use without taking their eyes off the road. 

Potential Benefits:

• Convenience: The touchscreen allows access to navigation, media, and vehicle settings from one central hub. 
• Hands-Free Calling and Voice Command: These features can help minimize distractions and keep your focus on the road. 
• Smartphone Integration: Seamless integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allows access to contacts, messages, and apps. 
• Navigation: Real-time navigation and traffic updates can help drivers reach their destinations efficiently. 
• Over-the-Air Updates: Touchscreens allow car companies to offer over-the-air (OTA) software updates that can install new features and fix system issues. 
• Some users find the portrait layout easier to navigate than a landscape layout.

Overall: The next-generation 2025 Subaru Crosstrek touchscreen is a mixed bag. While it offers convenience and connectivity, it can also be a source of distraction, especially for those who prefer physical buttons. 

Conclusion: 

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is a great small SUV for those with active lifestyles. If you live in a cold climate, its all-wheel-drive system is the best. However, it's not for everyone. Some small buyers say the 11.6-inch touchscreen display is too big for the Crosstrek's compact interior.   

Liz concludes, "It's just me being me. I'm not afraid to walk away if I don't like a vehicle."

How About You?

Do you own a new-generation Subaru Crosstrek? We want to hear about your experience with the touchscreen technology. Click the red 'Add New Comment' link below and share your thoughts. Your insights could be invaluable to potential buyers.

Check out my Subaru Crosstrek story: The National Park Service Told Me I Had to Get My New Subaru Crosstrek Off Their Trail

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Liz