Ten Reasons You’ll Love the 2023 Crosstrek Sport

The Crosstrek might be the smallest SUV in the Subaru fleet but don’t discount its size for lack of capability or an affinity for adventure. Like the larger Forester and Outback, the Crosstrek boasts rugged details and offers exceptional versatility, making it a must-have for drivers looking for a well-rounded SUV that handles and rides more like a sedan. A Subaru Crosstrek for sale is particularly enticing because trims like the 2023 Crosstrek Sport are more powerful, agile, and adventurous. Its beefier powerplant, symmetrical all-wheel drive system, and advanced technologies make it the complete package and the best value in the Crosstrek lineup for 2023.

#1 More Power

The 2023 Crosstrek lineup includes the Base, Premium, Special Edition, Sport, and Limited. The SUV comes standard with Subaru’s 2.0L four-cylinder BOXER engine and a six-speed manual or Lineartronic continuously variable transmission. The combination produces 152 hp and an average fuel economy of 28 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. While this is enough power to make the Crosstrek agile, Subaru one-ups itself with the Crosstrek Sport.

The 2023 Crosstrek Sport swaps the base 2.0L engine for a 2.5L BOXER engine and Lineartronic continuously variable transmission. Although a simple exchange, the result is extraordinary, pushing the Crosstrek Sport to 182 hp. You can harness this power with the paddle shifters on the steering wheel, which offer an eight-speed manual mode. Moreover, the heightened power output makes the Crosstrek Sport quicker to respond and accelerate without dramatically impacting its efficiency, with the model averaging 27 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway.

#2 X-Mode Capability

The Crosstrek Sport is the only trim in the Crosstrek’s 2023 lineup to offer the dual-function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control. Think of X-MODE as the option to take your Crosstrek Sport to the next level of performance and capability when conditions become treacherous or the terrain gets technical. For example, it adds SNOW/DIRT and DEEP SNOW/MUD settings that enhance the Crosstrek Sport’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system. As a result, the SUV handles better in slippery or hazardous conditions because the technology is constantly maximizing traction and helping you maintain control.

#3 Enhanced Safety Features

The Crosstrek prioritizes your safety in several ways, from the seven strategically placed airbags to technologies like the Rear Seat Reminder that reminds you to check the rear seat before exiting the SUV. However, the Crosstrek Sport adds to these features with the award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. What makes the suite so impressive?

The EyeSight suite equips the Crosstrek Sport with Automatic Pre-Collision Braking and Pre-Collision Throttle Management. The tools can engage the brakes to minimize the impact or prevent a frontal collision. Lane Departure, Lane Keep Assist, and Sway Warning are also part of the suite and help you keep the Crosstrek Sport centered in its lane, alerting you when the SUV veers out of the designated lane markings.

Subaru lets you expand the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite with available tools like Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. These technologies are integral to your experience on the road because they extend your visibility around the vehicle. For example, Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist monitors the sides of the Crosstrek Sport, alerting you to other cars and making it easier to change lanes. Likewise, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert watches the back of the SUV for crossing traffic to minimize the potential for rear collisions.

#4 Cruising Made Easy

The Crosstrek Sport makes your time in the driver’s seat nearly effortless because of tools like Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering. Traditional cruise control requires frequent driver input because you’re responsible for watching the flow of traffic and setting or resetting the cruising speed. Alternatively, Adaptive Cruise Control minimizes your input by monitoring traffic and the Crosstrek Sport’s position in the lane, adjusting the SUV’s cruising speed and lane positioning as needed.

#5 Sedan-Like Handling, Sporty Looks

The Crosstrek handles less like an SUV and more like a sedan, which explains its impressive efficiency and remarkable ride quality. However, Subaru ensures the Crosstrek Sport doesn’t look the part of a sedan by giving it a sporty aesthetic that adds to its sophistication and adventurous nature. From the exterior, the Crosstrek Sport features exclusive design elements, like unique wheel arch moldings and gunmetal accents that define the front grille, badges, antenna, and side mirrors. The Crosstrek Sport also swaps the standard 17-inch black machine-finished alloy wheels for a dark gray finish to complement its gunmetal accents.

#6 An Interior Fit for Every Adventure

The 2023 Crosstrek Sport is undeniably the most adventure-ready in the fleet because of its more potent powertrain and exclusive interior details. For example, the base trims come with cloth upholstery, but Subaru ensures the Crosstrek Sport can handle everything by outfitting the SUV with StarTex water-repellent upholstery with yellow contrast stitching. The heated front seats add a touch of luxury, with Subaru finishing the Crosstrek Sport’s interior with keen attention to detail. These details stretch throughout the cabin, from the yellow metallic finished trim rings around the gauge cluster and the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob to the simulated carbon fiber trim accents.

#9 Plentiful Technology to Keep You Connected

The 2023 Crosstrek Sport has a distinct advantage in the lineup because it offers a broad spectrum of technology to keep you connected and informed. While base trims have a 2.4-inch display behind the steering wheel, the Crosstrek Sport features a larger 4.2-inch high-grade gauge cluster and multifunctional display. This setup puts your speed, fuel economy, distance to empty data, a digital trip computer, digital clock, and the ambient temperature within view.

Moving to the center stack, the 2023 Crosstrek Sport also comes with Subaru’s 6.5-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system and a single-disc CD player. The display gives you access to your smartphone via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it also offers other features like Bluetooth capability and audio streaming connectivity. It’s also home to the SUV’s AM/FM stereo, HD Radio, WIFI hotspot, and a four-month trial to SiriusXM Platinum Plan and Travel Link.

You can upgrade the Crosstrek Sport’s standard display to the Subaru STARLINK 8.0-inch Multimedia Plus system. The enhanced system takes your experience to the next level because it includes over-the-air software updates that ensure the Crosstrek Sport operates with the latest technology. As a result, you never have to worry about visiting the dealership to update the software since the Crosstrek Sport will update itself when connected to your home internet.

#10 Customizing Made Affordable

Subaru is renowned for building versatile vehicles that you can tailor to your driving, performance, and lifestyle. The 2023 Crosstrek Sport shares that characteristic and proves that customizing the SUV doesn’t have to cost a fortune. For example, upgrading to the STARLINK 8.0-inch Multimedia Plus system also equips the SUV with a power moonroof and advanced driver-assist tools like Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.

Modifying the Crosstrek Sport to fit your needs is also straightforward because of Subaru’s expansive catalog of accessories and upgrades. These accessories include tech-centric features like an auto-dimming mirror with a compass and HomeLink, which lets you program your garage door for easy access. You can also add auto-dimming exterior mirrors with an approach light for heightened visibility around the SUV, a rear bumper cover, and a unique sport grille. Subaru even offers accessories for every hobby and your pets, whether you’re looking for seat protectors, a pet carrier and kennel, or a bike or cargo carrier. The Crosstrek Sport can handle it all.