Subaru makes some rugged and fun-to-drive SUVs that usually offer excellent value. Even though the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek SUV has a lot to offer, it falls short in one unusual area. Check out why the cheapest Crosstrek wasn’t as great as it initially seemed and how the 2024 version overcorrected on a significant mistake.

Will the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek be redesigned?

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek SUV did not get a complete redesign for 2023, but that is coming next year. 2023 was a carryover year for the Subaru SUV, but it fell short in some areas. The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek price starts at $23,645 for the base model and can reach as high as $36,845 for the Hybrid. Equipped with the 2.0L boxer four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive, the base model comes standard with a manual transmission.

While some drivers might be happy with a manual, upgrading to the automatic transmission is $1,350. This applies to the Premium trim, which starts at $24,795 this year. That pushes the cost upwards of $25,000 without added taxes and fees. But the biggest flaw that the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek SUV suffers from is the lack of EyeSight Driver Assist Technology on the base and Premium trims.

Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is a suite of some of the best safety systems on the market. Offering a new vehicle without systems like Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control seems like a significant oversight. It also can only be added to the CVT (continuously variable transmission) models.

How reliable is the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek SUV is very reliable and has a large following of fans. For those who want the cheapest Crosstrek option, the manual transmission base is essentially the only option. The six-speed manual transmission gets 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Compared to the CVT models, 28 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, those fuel economy numbers are not great either.

The lack of EyeSight and other safety systems led to the 2023 Crosstrek earning some poor crash test results. From the IIHS, the Subaru SUV earned many good scores on the main crashworthiness tests. However, it earned the lowest score of “poor” on the two newest tests.

Subaru’s Halogen reflector headlights on the base and Premium trim also earned a poor score. These were not curve adaptive and did not provide enough visibility. All of these things hold the 2023 Crosstrek back from being one of the best Subaru SUVs.

What’s new with the 2024 Crosstrek?

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek SUV base model is still affordable and brand-new, but it requires some additions to make it a good option. That increases the price pretty quickly, making the most affordable option less affordable.

Subaru seemed to receive the message, as the 2024 Crosstrek price for the base model starts at $24,995 and comes with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. It comes with the CVT with Adaptive Control and Incline Start Assist next year. Unfortunately, it appears the manual transmission option is gone altogether for 2024.

If this Subaru SUV was on your shortlist, it might be worth going up a few trim levels. Even though safety systems are not necessary to get from point A to point B, it is better to have more systems than none. Conversely, manual transmission fans better hop on that option before the 2023 Crosstrek is gone forever. As automakers move to more efficient engine types and all-electric models, these Subarus could soon be a thing of the past.