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Before the Crosstrek was introduced in 2013, the Outback was Subaru’s bread and butter. It was spacious, comfortable, family-friendly, trail-ready, and very cost-effective. The Crosstrek offered a happy medium between the Forester and the Outback, which was warmly welcomed in Subaru‘s lineup.
It appeals to single drivers or couples without children who still need generous space, unbeatable all-wheel drive, and decent mileage at a friendly price.
The 2025 Crosstrek has been updated since its conception, now coming in an off-roady Wilderness and Sport trim, with a base MSRP of a little more than $25,000. Even at its top-shelf price of $33,000 for the Wilderness (or $44,000 for a fully loaded Wilderness), it’s still a great value.
But, what if you just don’t vibe with Subaru? Well, here are the top five alternatives for those who still want to wander in something other than a Crosstrek.
The Toyota Corolla Cross can be your next adventure buddy
The Corolla Cross, which is essentially a Corolla turned into an SUV, is an affordable, reliable, and efficient choice. The standard configuration is two-wheel drive, but if you want a nearly perfect Subaru mimic, all-wheel drive is an option.
It’s similarly priced to the Crosstrek, too. With AWD the cost comes close to $27,000, which is only slightly above the Subaru’s base MSRP. If you opt for the base model, it’s cheaper than the Subaru at $24,035.
Plus, there’s the reliability factor to consider, too. Subaru has a record for excellent reliability, but there’s a good reason Toyotas are recommended by mechanics everywhere. They’re damn-near unkillable. It isn’t fast, as it makes just 169 horsepower, but… Neither is the Crosstrek.
Additionally, the Corolla Cross can come as a hybrid, too. The Crosstrek has a hybrid AWD version too, though it isn’t new – and it’s considerably more expensive (and uses Toyota’s “old” hybrid tech, though the new one coming out this year is supposed to be “radically” different).
The Mazda CX-30 makes Subaru a tad nervous
Mazda has been going through a renaissance lately and has been making great strides as far as product quality, reliability, and powerful options for buyers who want something that checks all the boxes.
The CX-30, unlike the Corolla Cross, comes standard with all-wheel drive, making it a bitter rival against the Crosstrek. The price is a little higher than the Toyota, but only slighter with an MSRP of around $28,000.
It also has a tad more cargo space than the Subaru, too, making it a powerful and compact alternative to the Crosstrek.
If you like a little more pep in your step, the Mazda also has more power under the hood. The CX-30 comes with a 2.5-liter inline-four that makes 250 horsepower, while the Crosstrek does not have a turbo option, and makes under 200 horsepower – even with the 2.5-liter engine in the Sport edition. It’s the most powerful alternative on the list.
Don’t forget to check out the Jeep Compass!
Those looking to get into an off-road-ready compact SUV should put the Jeep Compass under a microscope. All trim levels, even the base model, can come with four-wheel drive. They can also be bought in two-wheel drive.
That could be appealing to some over AWD, especially since drivers can put it in two-wheel drive when not in use to save a few miles per gallon.
The Compass is similar in price to the other vehicles listed, too. It’s the most affordable of the bunch, with a base price of $25,900. It also comes in a variety of trim levels, like the Trackhawk, which comes lifted with underbody protection and exclusive styling – similar to the Wilderness version of the Crosstrek.
Plus, it’s a Jeep. Some might be thrilled to own an American brand over a Japanese one, so if that matters to you, the Jeep might be for you.
Honda makes a great Subaru competitor, too
The Honda HR-V is an efficient, capable, and roomy alternative to the Crosstrek, too. Like the others listed, it’s similarly priced, can come in all-wheel drive, and has similar power output figures.
However, it does have the best mileage figures for a non-hybrid. Otherwise, the Corolla Cross AWD hybrid gets the best, but it’s worth noting that the Honda’s gas engine has an EPA estimate of around 27 mpg. Which, for an AWD SUV, is impressive.
The Honda can be bought as an AWD hybrid too, though. With the electric motors working with the gas engine, it makes a combined 204 horsepower, making it the second most powerful alternative to the Crosstrek.
The Hyundai Kona is a great option for Subaru haters
Don’t worry, this Hyundai comes with an immobilizer so it’s not so easy to steal. Aside from added security, the Kona is a tad smaller than the Crosstrek in all dimensions, so it’s a good option for those who want an even smaller Subaru-esque SUV.
Additionally, the Kona has the least amount of ground clearance, making it feel more “car-like” for those who want something easy to get in and out of.
Like the others, it’s affordable for most buyers. The base MSRP for the AWD model is around $27,000. There’s also an all-electric version of the Kona, though that’s only FWD.
Despite being smaller, though, it does have more cargo space behind the second row over the Crosstrek. It can also come in AWD and Hyundai offers an optional 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 190 horsepower, giving it more oomph.