Winters in Montana don’t go easy on anyone. But, thankfully, 2025 Subaru Crosstrek doesn’t go easy, either.
This SUV has high ratings from the IIHS. It also has winter tech features. You can trust it to take you from point A to point B, even in bad weather.
Ready to stay in control when the roads get slick? Let our team at Rimrock Subaru Billings MT take you through the available Crosstrek choices and what makes it the best fit for your next snow-day ride.
Also Read: 2025 Subaru Crosstrek: A Smart Pick for Pet-Loving Drivers
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
The Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) feature is a standard across all trims of the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek. Unlike other AWD systems, though, Subaru made its AWD system “symmetrical.” Instead of just adding the feature to the front- or rear-wheel drives, they made it go in a straight line from front to back.
With the axles, driveshaft, and engine perfectly aligned, the center of gravity is lowered while distributing the weight equally. This gives the Crosstrek its stability, which shows when you drive it across slick roads.
Apart from stability, how it works is where the Crosstrek’s Standard Symmetrical All Wheel Drive differs. Instead of just sending the power to the wheels when it detects slippage, it constantly sends it to all four wheels. When a wheel loses traction, the system shifts the torque automatically to the other three wheels with more grip.
With this, you don’t have to worry about spinning tires. Since the Crosstrek is built with snowy regions like Montana in mind, you can confidently drive in any low-traction driving conditions without fumbling for buttons or changing drive modes.
High Ground Clearance
Worried about getting stuck in deep snow or your Subaru Crosstrek 2025 getting scrapes on its underchassis? The 2025 Crosstrek has 8.7 inches of ground clearance (9.3 inches of ground clearance for the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness)* of ground clearance.
This higher ride height helps you glide over snowbanks rather than plowing through them. This also prevents the Crosstrek from getting high-centered, a winter hazard wherein the belly rests on deep snow with the wheels losing contact with the ground.
With this, you don’t have to buy suspension lifts. Right from the box, the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is adventure-ready.
So, whether you’re driving across challenging terrains, you don’t need upgrades or complicated installations to enjoy your Crosstrek off-trail.
Note:
* - Based on each trim’s base curb weight (weight with all the standard equipment, fluids, and a full fuel tank without passengers or cargo), making the clearance real-world accurate.
Extra Grip When It Matters
Aside from the stability and traction of the symmetrical AWD, you can also rely on two other features to stay in control even on the steepest and iciest Montana terrain: X-MODE® and Hill Descent Control.
The X-MODE® functions like the drivetrain’s extra brainpower. With a push of a button, it adjusts the vehicle’s throttle response, traction control, and transmission shifting for better grip on uneven terrain, snow, or ice. This is perfect when driving over loose gravel, climbing snowy hills, or on black ice.
While all trims get this nifty push-button feature, you can upgrade it to Dual-Function X-MODE®*. You still get the same benefit of a better grip, but you can now customize it to two terrain settings:
- Snow/Dirt: Ideal for packed, slippery surfaces (gravel backroads, plowed snowy streets)
- Deep Snow/Mud: Best for driving through unplowed snow in mountain passes, snowy trails, or slushy shoulders
This way, you can adjust the Crosstrek’s drive settings depending on what you see ahead. No last-minute adjustments needed.
Now, if you’re driving on a snowy mountain, Hill Descent Control is here to help. Activating this mode controls your downhill speed, allowing you to focus more on steering.
With these two features working hand-in-hand, you feel more confident driving in the winter.
Note: * - Available on the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Premium, Sport, Limited, and Wilderness trims
Winter-Safe Features
Safety is already the credo of the Subaru brand (think of their Subaru Love Promise). But driving in winter is not without special challenges, like snow-covered lane markings, slippery roads, and reduced visibility. This is where the 2025 Crosstrek’s safety features come in handy.
One, it has the Standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology. When paired with its LED Steering Responsive Headlights (SRH), you’ll have improved visibility during snowy weather. Wherever you steer, you’re assured your headlights will light the way for you.
As for the EyeSight® itself, you’ll find this suite of safety features acting like your second pair of eyes on the road:
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering for maintaining a safe distance from cars ahead while staying in lane
- Pre-Collision Braking for applying the brakes when there is an imminent collision at the front
- Automatic Emergency Steering steers the vehicle away from any obstacle it detects*
- Lane Keep Assist to steer you back into your lane when you drift
- Lane Departure and Sway Warning alerts you of erratic driving behavior when you’re drowsy or distracted
Apart from the Subaru EyeSight®, Crosstrek 2025 also has a Traction Control System (TCS). A standard across trims, TCS applies braking force to the slipping wheels when it detects loss of traction.
Crosstrek sure comes packed with smart winter-safe features. But using the right kind of tires is crucial when driving on snow or ice.
Thus, you’ll find the Base, Premium, 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Sport, and Limited equipped with All-Season tires. Though built for year-round use, All-Season tires can handle light to moderate winter conditions.
But if you’re driving through unplowed snow or ice, they lose their traction. This is where All-Terrain tires are needed. From the name itself, these tires are made for rocky, gravel, dirt, and snowy trails.
The difference? All-terrain tires have deeper treads that can dig and self-clean as you drive through snow. This way, the traction stays the same on uneven or slippery terrain.
But, it is only available in the Wilderness trim. So, if you availed of the lower trims of the Crosstrek, you can check the available Subaru Crosstrek winter tires at Rimrock Subaru.
Note:
* - Only for speeds under 50 mph and a clear path is sensed
- Only available for Crosstrek trims equipped with EyeSight® and Blind Spot Detection
Cold Weather Comforts
Winter driving isn’t just about safety and traction-increasing features. It is also about keeping you, the driver, comfortable. If you stay warm, you’ll stay alert throughout the drive.
Hence, Subaru has added these all-weather package* features to its 2025 Crosstrek model. However, you can only enjoy this suite of features on select trims:
- Heated front seats to take the chill out of morning and wintry commutes,
- Heated side mirrors to melt away the frost and allow you to see your surroundings, especially when reversing, and
- Windshield wiper de-icer prevents ice build-up on the wipers by warming up the bottom of the windshield. This helps your vision through the windshield be clear despite snowy conditions
With the Subaru Crosstrek’s All-Weather Package, you can clear up frost and warm yourself up sooner for a more comfortable and delay-free drive.
Note:
* - Available only on Sport, 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Limited, and Wilderness trims
Drive Confidently In the Winter With A 2025 Subaru Crosstrek
With AWD, 8.7-inch ground clearance, and smart drive modes, it’s a no-brainer to pick the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek as your snow day bestie. This SUV proves that performance and safety are paramount, no matter the weather.
So, if you’re looking for an SUV that can go through Montana winters like a walk in the park, the Subaru 2025 Crosstrek has everything you need. Visit us at Rimrock Subaru so we can take you through our new inventory and great lease and auto financing offers for you.
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