Should you buy one?

Probably not. The Subaru Crosstrek feels like an aging athlete, desperately trying to keep pace with its younger rivals. The XV already felt like a dated product before it was revised into this car – and, while they have improved the formula, Subaru’s updates aren’t extensive enough to modernise the car.

There are plenty of objectively better family SUVs that you should consider first. If you just want something that’s rugged and four-wheel drive, buy a Dacia Duster and save yourself a massive chunk of change.

If you want a hybrid SUV, you’d be better served by the Toyota Yaris Cross because it can almost double the Crosstrek’s fuel economy figure. There are also loads of SUVs that manage to be more practical and more user-friendly, such as the SEAT Ateca and Skoda Karoq.

We’re sure some buyers will be able to see the upsides of owning a Subaru Crosstrek. If you live in the depths of the British countryside, for example, you’ll probably appreciate its four-wheel drive system and off-road capability. But most buyers won’t reap these benefits, which makes the Crosstrek a difficult car to recommend.

What we like

It’s tough and rugged – and it should prove to be reliable. It’s also packed with driver assistance technology (for better or worse depending on your driving style) which should make it very difficult to have an accident in.

What we don’t like

Almost everything else. It’s slower, less efficient, less practical and less refined than almost all its rivals. Subaru’s new 11.6-inch infotainment system is also step backwards in terms of ease-of-use compared to the XV, especially when teamed with the firm’s jittery driver monitoring technology. It isn’t that fun to drive, either.