The Subaru Crosstrek is formerly known as the Subaru XV and has just been updated. Subaru SA has confirmed the capable crossover will be hitting our market in 2023.

The Subaru XV name has been dropped and we understand that Crosstrek will be used globally. The third generation Subaru Crosstrek was announced in Japan and will be hitting that market in early 2023. Subaru South Africa has confirmed the Crosstrek will be coming to our shores in the 2nd quarter of 2023.

So, what’s changed? Like all Subaru updates, we have to look carefully to spot the differences. Under the skin, the Subaru Global Platform has been retained, but Subaru has claimed there are some changes to increase refinement and ride comfort. There’s some enhanced rigidity and interestingly, the manufacturing process has changed with the upper body and underbody now built together. Subaru claims this has resulted in a reduction of cabin vibrations. There are also the addition of sound-deading materials.

The styling has been given a gentle makeover, with new LED headlights which offer cornering capabilityand tail-lamps that look straight from the WRX. Physically, the Subaru Crosstrek is 4 480 mm long, 1 800 mm wide and 1 580 mm high. This new model features a 5 mm longer wheelbase, is 15 mm longer and 30 mm taller. Subaru claims a ground clearance of 200 mm.

Inside, the Crosstrek gains an 11.6-inch portrait-orientated infotainment system which we’ve had experience with in the Subaru Outback and new Subaru WRX. There are new seats, updates to the electric power steering and the vehicle gains the latest version of Subaru’s EyeSight safety technology.

At this stage, there’s minimal information about the engine and transmission. The Japanese model will get a 2.0-litre petrol engine paired to an electric motor, with upgrades to the engine and transmission to reduce noise and vibration. We expect the South African derivatives to retain its 2.0-litre petrol with 115 kW and 196 Nm, which drives all four wheels via a CVT.

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