What The Slightly Old Subaru Crosstrek Pulled Off This Year Is Nothing Short Of Astounding

The Subaru Crosstrek needs new upgrades, but Subaru Corporation chose to delay the remake one extra year. Crosstrek should have received a complete remodel in 2023 with Subaru’s five-year lifecycle. The second generation Crosstrek launched its dealer in 2018, and in 2023, it was due for the new model upgrades.

But because of supply chain interruptions and parts shortages, Subaru chose to delay the third-generation model change one more year. And it was a good decision because Crosstrek sales soared in 2022, and the 2023 Crosstrek sales have not slowed.

photo credit: Subaru of Gallatin

What the aging Subaru Crosstrek pulled off this year is astounding

Typically, a model in the final year of its life cycle, sales drop off dramatically as customers wait for the new models to arrive. It’s what happens to the Impreza compact car. The Impreza is on a similar life cycle track, and the next-generation Impreza was also delayed, and sales dropped 33.5 percent last month and are down 7.5 percent for the year.

But Crosstrek subcompact SUV is setting new records in 2022. Sales of the Crosstrek were up 100.7 percent in November 2022 compared with November 2021. And Crosstrek is the only model that’s up double digits (20.1 percent) for the year. The Forester compact SUV (-28.6 percent) and Outback midsize SUV (-6.7 percent) are down for the year in sales.

For the first time in the Crosstrek’s history, since it arrived in 2012, it is now the top-selling model in Subaru of America’s (SOA) all-wheel-drive lineup. SOA has delivered 141,651 Crosstrek models to customers through eleven months, compared with the second-place Outback, with 132,465 midsize SUVs delivered in 2022. Forester is in third place, with 100,570 delivered to customers through November 2022.

Why is the Crosstrek the hottest model?

The Crosstrek was positioned perfectly when the storm hit this year with high gas prices and the shift towards more fuel-efficient small SUVs. The affordability of the Crosstrek was also a factor, with prices of new cars reaching records.

What is the Crosstrek fuel mileage?

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek with the larger 2.5-liter Boxer engine comes with 30 more horsepower and gets an EPA estimated fuel mileage of 27/34 city/highway mpg and 29 combined mpg.

The 2023 Crosstrek with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine gets an EPA-estimated 28/33 mpg and 30 combined mpg.

What is the price of the 20233 Subaru Crosstrek?

Even with all trim levels getting a $600 price increase, the Crosstrek remains affordable. The base trim is priced from $24,870, Premium ($26,020), Special Edition ($27,970), Sport ($29,220), Limited ($30,720), and Crosstrek Hybrid ($38,070). Prices include destination and delivery fees ($1,225).

Check out Crosstrek's Consumer Reports reliability record here

What sets the Crosstrek apart from the competition?

Apart from 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel-drive, the Crosstrek comes with X-Mode for added all-weather performance. The Crosstrek Sport and Limited trim levels add a dual-function X-Mode for additional all-terrain performance.

Should SUV shoppers wait for the next-generation 2024 Crosstrek?

If you can wait a year, the third-generation Crosstrek gets significant upgrades. And the all-new Crosstrek Wilderness trim level will be the model to wait for next year. Check out a new report here.

The Subaru Crosstrek pulled off an astounding sales performance this year. The Crosstrek needs a remodel, but the aging subcompact SUV is setting new records. The next-generation Crosstrek could do even better.

You Might Also Like: Consumer Reports Says the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Is the Best SUV Under $30K With One Small Flaw

Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Subaru