Toyota Corolla Cross' nightmare? Upgraded 2025 Subaru Crosstrek hybrid with 1000km driving range and real off-road potential closer to Australian release after US version revealed

Subaru has detailed its long-awaited hybrid Crosstrek SUV in the US.

Poised to debut in the US before the middle half of the year, Australia is expected to follow later in 2025 with the all-new, sixth-generation Forester Hybrid to precede it.

Based on overseas specifications we know that both new hybrid models will be a major step up from their current mild-hybrid offerings, which deliver a paltry 0.7L/100km improvement on fuel efficiency, a 26kW/43Nm reduction in output (on the Forester) and a fuel tank with 15-litres less capacity.

The incoming Crosstrek hybrid will instead revert to a 63-litre tank thanks to the power control unit migrating to the engine bay from under the cargo floor, with the same move expected for the Forester.

Power on both models will be sourced from Subaru’s new series-parallel hybrid powertrain, which integrates a newly-developed Atkinson-cycle 2.5-litre four-cylinder ‘Boxer’ engine to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), an electric motor generator – to power the battery pack and starter – and an electric forward traction motor.

The traction motor will deliver 88kW/270Nm alone on the Crosstrek, up from 12.3kW/66Nm on the current model. It will also be able to serve as the main power source in certain situations.

Total outputs remain unconfirmed, but we know based on the Japanese-specified Crosstrek that the petrol motor will deliver an additional 116kW and 209Nm.

It will also have a 1.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which is an increase on the previous 0.7kWh unit.

Subaru has promised a 20 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency on the Crosstrek, which should see the amount of fuel used per 100km drop to around 5.5L/100km, putting it in closer reach of the less rugged Toyota Corolla Cross (4.2L/100km) and Hyundai Kona (3.9L/100km) models.

Better yet, in conjunction with the bigger fuel tank, the total driving range has been promised to exceed 1000 km.

No changes have been made to the Crosstrek's 220 millimetres of ground clear or standard X-Mode with hill-descent control in the US, both are offered on current Australian models.

Subaru’s symmetrical AWD is also standard.

Inside, practically everything remains as it was, with a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and an 11.6-inch high-resolution multimedia display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In the US, Subaru has improved the Crosstrek’s safety credentials through the addition of Emergency Stop Assist.

If the driver becomes unresponsive while Adaptive Cruise Control is engaged, the new standard feature will stop the vehicle, switch on the hazard lights and unlock the doors.

The connected services, which are now run through StarLink, will then call emergency services.

Additionally, there will be two new colour schemes in the US to compliment Hybrid-exclusive 18-inch alloys: Sand Dune Pearl and Citron Yellow Pearl.

Exact timing for the Crosstrek’s Australian 2025 release remains unclear for now and Subaru's local division were unable to provide an update. However, it did confirm the Crosstrek hybrid was on its way with a release date to follow the incoming Forester Hybrid.