Subaru updated the radio in the 2015 XV Crosstrek, but it definitely was not an upgrade. After several visits to the dealer and multiple emails, it was confirmed that even though the 2015 Crosstrek owner's manual says it supports the IPod, nowhere does it mention the convoluted process you need to follow to use it.

According the what Subaru finally told my dealer, you must start the car, then connect the IPod, then select the IPod option on the stereo in order to use it. You cannot have it connected when you start the car, what a pain! Then, you have to remember to disconnect the IPod BEFORE you turn off the car otherwise the stereo and the IPod both lock up. As mentioned to the dealer, this is completely unacceptable for a brand new 2015 car, whose owner's manual makes no mention of having to follow this ridiculous process just to use a simple electronic device in the year 2015. Subaru's helpline was WORTHLESS and the company obviously has spent NO time educating their dealers on how the subpar 2015 Crosstrek radio works since it took me two months to get a confirmation.