There are no changes of note for the 2025 Crosstrek.

The Crosstrek has been a massive success for Subaru in Canada, outselling the Impreza, the car on which it’s based on, by a significant margin. The current Crosstrek uses the new dashboard that debuted in the most-recent iteration of the WRX sport sedan. The driver faces a conventional speedometer and tachometer with a configurable digital readout separating them. The speedometer incorporates the gas gauge and the tachometer houses the temperature gauge. The multi-configurable “Eyebrow” feature that previously occupied the top centre of the dash has been removed and all information is now incorporated into a large, vertically-oriented touch screen. Subaru has wisely kept knobs for audio on-off-volume and tuning, as well as physical buttons for front and rear defrost and temperature regulation for the dual-zone climate system. Climate fan speed and air distribution are adjusted via the touch screen but unlike other makers, which sequester those functions within a menu system, Subaru shows the functions on the screen at all times. Subaru re-located the stop-start de-activation from its inconvenient spot in front of the driver`s knee to a prominent place on the dash screen. As touch screens go, the one in the Crosstrek works pretty well. That said, owners complain about slow reactions to touch input when the car is started in cold conditions. On the Onyx trim, there is a wireless cellphone charger at the forward end of the console and the ports for aux, and the USB ports are immediately obvious and accessible.

The front seats, which were a bit unyielding in the previous Crosstrek, are, with deeper padding, more sumptuous than before. The driver`s compartment is still a touch narrow, but replacing the mechanical handbrake with an electric toggle has liberated space for the right thighs of larger drivers. Like the previous Crosstrek, cabin space is impressive for the size of the car. The rear seat itself is more deeply padded and rear seat passengers remark on the high levels of space and comfort. Rear seat riders can access USB and USB-C ports as well as dual cupholders located in the folding centre armrest. The Onyx trim cabin is swathed in an attractive gray cloth that replaces the vinyl upholstery used in the old Outdoor trim. The Onyx trim includes a black headliner, which leads to a more closed-in feel than conventional pale gray roof lining. Much of the cabin is new but owners of the previous Crosstrek will notice various bits that have been repurposed from the last car. Poor quality floor coverings, a scourge of our age, disappointed owners of the previous Crosstrek and the “carpeting” of the new car looks unimproved. Cargo space is about the same as before and in Subaru tradition, a bit shallow due to the space used up by the rear differential.

The Onyx, limited and Wilderness trims are powered by a 2.5L, normally-aspirated flat-four with 182 horsepower. Power is sent to all four wheels via a CVT which is the sole transmission offered for 2025. Performance is strong and flexible but additional sound proofing has enhanced refinement considerably compared with the previous generation of the car. Observed fuel economy of 12.2L/100 km in urban/suburban driving is quite heavy for this size of car but sustained highway cruising is very economical and generates fuel consumption figures below 7L/100 km. Road noise and wind noise over the roof are nicely suppressed.

Ride, a Subaru highpoint, is sublime.

Handling lacks involvement but is reassuring.

The steering of the Crosstrek is nicely weighted and geared and is less vague at highway speeds than previous Subarus.

The active L.E.D. headlamps of the Onyx trim are very bright. The blind spot monitors on the door mirrors work well enough but their lit portions are small.

The base Convenience trim, with alloy wheels, heated seats, dual-zone climate control, adaptive L.E.D. headlights, the iOS-Android cellphone interface, is nicely equipped. Moving up to the Touring trim adds blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors, a wireless version of the iOS-Android cellphone interface, reverse auto braking, frontal collision avoidance, a heated steering wheel, fog lights and a large, vertically oriented screen. The Onyx includes a sunroof, a power driver’s seat, alloy pedals and wireless cellphone charging. Those wanting leather seating and navigation must migrate to the Limited trim which also adds a Harman-Kardon-branded audio system. The Wilderness model has higher ground clearance and enhanced off-road capability but its bit claim to fame is towing capacity of 1588 kilograms versus the 680 kilograms of other Crosstreks.