Changes to models’ safety equipment satisfy national crash test auditor.

COMMON 2025 year safety upgrades to the Subaru Impreza hatchback and Crosstrek have enabled both to receive a higher rating from safety authority ANCAP.

The five star rating from the national crash test auditor is applicable to vehicles manufactured from April. Cars built between 2023, the year of local introduction, and March 2025 remain 'unrated'.

ANCAP used shared crash-test results for both models, given they are closely related, using essentially the same body, platform and powertrains.

The Crosstrek has received an adult occupant protection rating of 83 percent, a child occupant protection rating of 91 percent, a vulnerable road user protection rating of 85 percent and a safety assist rating of 73 percent.

The type achieved a higher vulnerable road user protection than the Impreza; the score of 85 percent reflecting that the crossover superior upper leg (femur) protection.

The Impreza scored better for pedestrian head and lower leg protection which the safety organisation said was due to the difference in bonnet and front bumper designs.

The safety kit enhancements include traffic sign recognition being added to the existing speed sign recognition system, enabling it to read signs such as ‘Stop’, ‘No Entry’, and ‘Give Way’.

Since 2023, ANCAP has had a submergence test, which evaluates occupants’ ability to escape a vehicle under water. The better prepared for that, the 2025 cars have an Emergency Evacuation Glass-breaking Tool – essentially a glass-piercing hammer located in the vehicle’s glovebox.

Outputs have been reduced marginally in the Crosstrek Hybrid, from 110kW/196Nm to 100kW/182Nm, but with the same 6.5L/100km combined official fuel consumption. That $46,990 version kicks off the three strong range.

The 115kW/196Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and continuously variable transmission used on the petrol-only Crosstrek and also Impreza, which starts at $44,990, remains unchanged.

ANCAP’s sister organisation, Euro NCAP, confirmed a five-star score for all versions of the current Crosstrek and Impreza in 2024. However, at the time, ANCAP said it could not apply the result as specification differences were identified compared to Europe.