Key highlights
- The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek AWD Rip Curl Special Edition is based on the entry-level 2.0L and costs $41,490 drive-away.
- It adds surf-focused accessories including Thule cross bars, surf pads, seat protectors and a 50L wetsuit bucket.
- The Crosstrek follows a 2007 Ford Falcon Ute Rip Curl Edition that used similar neoprene seat covers.
Subaru Australia is bringing a familiar Australian surf-brand partnership back to the new-car market, with the 2026 Crosstrek AWD Rip Curl Special Edition. The collaboration with Rip Curl follows a similar partnership between the surfwear company and Ford nearly two decades ago. In 2007, Ford offered a Falcon Ute Rip Curl Edition with features including water-resistant neoprene seat covers.
The new Subaru Crosstrek takes a more extensive approach, adding a collection of genuine accessories aimed at buyers who spend time around beaches, camping areas and other outdoor destinations. The Crosstrek AWD Rip Curl Special Edition is based on the entry-level AWD 2.0L and is priced at $41,490 drive-away in Australia. That makes it $2500 more than the regular Crosstrek AWD 2.0L, which Subaru is currently offering for $38,990 drive-away until 31 October 2026.
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What does the Crosstrek Rip Curl add?
The biggest changes are focused on equipment rather than mechanical upgrades. The special edition gets Subaru x Rip Curl branding inside and out, including a bonnet decal, exterior and interior badges, and seat protectors for the driver and front passenger.
There is also a Subaru x Rip Curl cargo tray, along with a resin cargo step panel designed to make loading and unloading gear easier. For carrying surfboards, Subaru includes Thule cross bars and surf pads. The package also includes weather shields, rubber floor mats and front mud flaps.
The extras extend beyond the car itself. Buyers get two Rip Curl hooded towels and a 50-litre wetsuit bucket, giving the special edition a more obvious connection to its intended surf-oriented audience. The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek AWD Rip Curl Special Edition is due in Australian showrooms next month.
No mechanical changes for the special edition
Underneath the additional accessories, the Crosstrek Rip Curl remains mechanically unchanged from the AWD 2.0L on which it is based. Power comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer petrol engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system. The CVT uses eight simulated ratios, while X-Mode is included to help the Crosstrek manage lower-grip surfaces.
The standard equipment also includes 17-inch black alloy wheels, LED headlights, an 11.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging and dual-zone climate control. Safety equipment is extensive, with nine airbags, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert among the features fitted to the AWD 2.0L. That means buyers are paying the extra $2500 primarily for the Rip Curl styling and accessory package rather than additional engine or chassis performance.
A new take on an old Australian special edition
The Crosstrek Rip Curl is an unusual callback to a period when Australian-market cars regularly received collaborations with local brands. The 2007 Ford Falcon Ute Rip Curl Edition was one example, adding its own collection of surf-focused equipment while retaining the Falcon’s underlying mechanical package.
Subaru’s latest version follows the same basic idea, but the accessories are better suited to a modern compact SUV. The Crosstrek’s roof-mounted carrying equipment and cargo-focused additions make it possible to transport surf gear without changing the underlying vehicle. For Australian buyers already considering the entry-level Crosstrek, the special edition therefore comes down to whether the additional equipment is worth the $2500 premium. With its surf-specific accessories and Rip Curl branding, it is a more targeted alternative to the regular AWD 2.0L rather than a performance-focused upgrade.
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