When the new Subaru Crosstrek is going on sale in South Africa

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is slated for a South African introduction in April 2023, Subaru’s domestic subsidiary confirmed to TopAuto.

The Crosstrek is the newest evolution of the XV, boasting improved ride quality and equipment along with a modernised design.

At launch, it will only be available in petrol guise, though Subaru South Africa said it is “in discussions with Subaru Japan to make the hybrid Crosstrek available for our market.”

What to expect

The Crosstrek has changed in size when compared to the outgoing XV, while still sitting on the same Subaru Global Platform, now measuring 15mm longer and 35mm flatter while being the same width.

For the new iteration of the vehicle, the underpinnings have been refined to incorporate “full-inner-frame construction” along with a few smaller adjustments to provide better collision safety, ride comfort, and handling stability.

A variety of enhanced features are further on offer throughout the range, such as full-LED high and low beams as well as Subaru-first LED cornering lights, a 360-degree camera system with improved lenses, all-speed adaptive cruise control, more responsive pre-collision braking, new seats with better pelvis support, up to 18-inch aluminium wheels, and a variety of upholsteries including fabric and leather.

Also new for the Crosstrek is an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment screen with the latest Subaru Starlink features including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice command, in-built navigation, remote engine start with climate control pre-conditioning, and boundary, speed, and curfew alerts.

In front, Subaru has now confirmed that South Africa will be getting the petrol-only Boxer engine, instead of the hybrid “e-Boxer” drivetrain of the Japanese models which features electric motor assist.

The 2.0-litre petrol powerplant will be paired with a CVT gearbox turning all four wheels, though Subaru has not yet revealed this particular setup’s output or fuel consumption.

The outgoing XV generates 115kW and 196Nm with a combined fuel consumption of 7.3l/100km, and the Crosstrek is expected to improve upon, or at the very least match these figures.

Subaru Crosstrek