Subaru Australia expects the new-generation Crosstrek – formerly known as the XV – to arrive locally during the early stages of 2023.
Further details like local pricing and specification are still to be announced, but the Crosstrek has move from being a “coming soon” proposition to “early 2023“.
Subaru’s local division wouldn’t divulge whether that meant first quarter (January-March) or first half (January-June), but industry customs point to the former. We’d expect the new XV to lob around March or April, given some variants of the current model are already sold out for the remainder of 2022.
On the brand’s local consumer website, it’s already accepting customer expressions of interest.
Revealed on September 15 in Japan, the new Subaru Crosstrek continues the conceptual foundations laid by its predecessors, taking a road-going hatchback and toughening it up with a raised ride height and SUV-like cladding.
The new-generation model is based in the latest Subaru Global Platform, which claims to deliver improvements in cabin strength, refinement and ride comfort over the previous iteration.
Australia will again be given the option of a 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed ‘Boxer’ four-cylinder petrol engine, as well as an e-Boxer hybrid – again with 2.0-litre capacity.
Being a Subaru, the Crosstrek will feature standard symmetrical all-wheel drive, as well as a Lineartronic CVT automatic with eight-speed manual mode. Subaru’s X-Mode off-road settings will also be offered.
Outputs in the new Crosstrek haven’t been confirmed, but Subaru says “improvements to reduce vibrations and noise in the engine and Lineartronic CVT have also been made”.
Beyond the updated platform and new design, other headline changes include a new 11.6-inch vertically-oriented touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the availability of a wireless smartphone charger.
Subaru also says it rejigged the cabin layout “in collaboration with medical schools”, studying the structure and movement of a human body to deliver “sound ergonomics and an intuitive connection between driver, vehicle and road”.
The latest generation of EyeSight driver assistance systems will also feature, though exact details are again to be confirmed, while no less than nine airbags will be fitted to protect cabin occupants in the event of a collision.
Measuring 4480mm (-5mm) long, 1800mm (unchanged) wide, and 1580mm (-35mm) tall with a 2670mm (+5mm) wheelbase, the new car is smaller on the outside than the outgoing XV – although its longer wheelbase should help free up more interior space.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest.
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