Exterior highlights include 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, dusk-sensing headlights and black roof rails. Inside you’ll find cloth-trimmed seats, dual-zone climate control, USB-C and USB-A connections, a six-speaker stereo and an 11.6-inch tablet-style infotainment touchscreen with compatible wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a wireless charging pad.

There’s also a lengthy list of safety features as part of Subaru’s EyeSight suite. Some of the highlights of the extensive array of safety features includes Front Pre-Collision Baking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Lane Keep Assist, Lane Centring Function, Lane Departure Prevention, Lane Departure Warning, Autonomous Emergency Steering and Speed Sign Recognition.

The interior design of the Crosstrek is an evolution of the XV, with a clear link to the Impreza despite Subaru's attempts to create separation between the two models. The cabin offers good space and getting in and out is straightforward.

The introduction of Subaru's latest multimedia system, including the tablet-style 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, is arguably the most notable visual change.

The quality and attentio-to-detail of the design is towards the top of the class for the small SUV segment, with elements like the Crosstrek 'mountains' logo integrated into the rear side sills.

The Crosstrek carries over the same engine from the XV, a 2.0-litre flat-four petrol engine that makes 115kW of power and 196Nm of torque. It’s paired with a continuously variable transmission with eight steps.

The Hybrid uses the same engine but adds mild-hybrid support to improve fuel economy but not performance, which is rated at 110kW and 196Nm. The hybrid also gets a CVT but it has seven steps.

Both engines send power to all four wheels via another Subaru trademark - permanent all-wheel drive. All models also get Auto Stop Start (which comes with a handy digital display of how much fuel you’re saving everytime it switches off), Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive) and X-Mode with hill descent control.

Subaru spent much time and effort to ensure the seats in the Crosstrek are good at supporting the pelvis, as this helps make for a more comfortable ride for the occupants. The seats have been redesigned, as has the way they were mounted in the car.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive, while there’s good room in the back too, with the Crosstrek capable of taking four adults or three kids in relative comfort for a small SUV.

Subaru has not listed a claimed 0-100km/h time for the Crosstrek.

With claimed fuel consumption of 7.2L/100km and a 63-litre fuel tank the Crosstrek has a theoretical driving range of 875km on a tank.