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2021 Subaru Crosstrek Review

Few vehicles define a segment quite as clearly as the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. Before it came along nine years and one generation ago, there really weren't any subcompact crossovers. Today, competitors like the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona and Jeep Renegade keep popping out. Unlike those, though, the Crosstrek continues to basically be an Impreza hatchback with a 3.6-inch suspension lift, some black body cladding and chunky roof rails. It's a recipe that also continues to work. 

Despite sharing a chassis with the definitely-not-a-crossover Impreza, the Crosstrek still manages to offer class-leading ground clearance with a correspondingly tall seating position and good visibility, multiple driving modes geared toward inclement weather and dirt roads, and a surprisingly spacious cargo area — you know, the kinds of things that small crossover buyers will actually use and appreciate. And like nearly all other Subarus, the Crosstrek comes standard with all-wheel drive. It now offers a choice of three powertrains (including a plug-in hybrid and a new 2.5-liter engine) and may very well be the best buy in its segment.

What's new for 2021?

The Subaru Crosstrek finally gets what it’s needed for years: more power. Base and Premium Crosstreks have the same underpowered 2.0-liter engine they’ve had for the last few years, but the new-for-2021 Sport (pictured above) and carryover top-shelf Limited trim levels get a new 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower. That’s an increase of 30 horses over the smaller engine, and it really transforms the driving and ownership experience.

There are minor styling updates for 2021, most noticeably a redesigned grille, but you’d have to park the new model with the old to really pick them out. The Sport looks a little different, courtesy of unique wheel arches, gunmetal-colored accents and bright yellow badging and interior highlights, along with a StarTex upholstery that is easy to clean like leather but uses zero animal products (vegans take note: the steering wheel is still leather-wrapped).

The Sport also boasts a different X-MODE system that features driving modes for snowy weather and muddy terrain that other Crosstreks lack.

What's the Crosstrek interior and in-car technology like?

The interior is comfortable and feels light and airy due to its upright pillars and plenty of glass. It’s not particularly exciting to look at, but the plastics are all high quality pieces and upper-trim models get unique items like faux carbon fiber and orange-trimmed leather. Those do a good job of keeping the interior from feeling like an all-black sea of sameness; we especially like the orange perforations of the Limited's grey and black leather seats.

There are buttons and dials for the radio and climate controls, which we appreciate. A 6.5-inch touchscreen comes standard; an 8-inch is standard on the Limited and optional on lower trims. Both are refreshingly simple and painless to use, featuring large icons and the ability to download and install a selection of applications like Yelp and Magellan navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported and work well with Subaru's interface.

How big is the Crosstrek?

Subaru officially lists front legroom at 43.1 inches and rear legroom at 36.5 inches. That would put it above the little Toyota C-HR and between the reasonably sized Jeep Renegade and spacious Honda HR-V. In the real world, though, there’s plenty of space for four 6-foot-tall passengers and perhaps more so than the official numbers and competitor comparisons would indicate.

There's 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 55.3 with those seats folded. That may be less than the shockingly spacious HR-V and Nissan Kicks, but it's more than everything else (even if at first glance it doesn't look that big). The area is deep and wide, which makes up for its comparative lack of height. As you can see below, we mangaged to fit six pieces of luggage back there. A word of warning, though: this does not apply to the Crosstrek plug-in hybrid. Its battery pack raises the cargo floor considerably and thus greatly reduces space both on paper (15.9 cubic-feet) and in terms of what you can actually store back there since it reduces the cargo area's height even more. 

A roof carrier seems like a must have for the hybrid, and judging by current Crosstrek owners, not a bad idea for the regular version as well. Thankfully, the Crosstrek's standard roof rails are big, sturdy and ready for just about anything. The Crosstrek's roof is also lower than the typical crossover SUV, making it easier to load things up top. 

What are the Crosstrek fuel economy and performance specs?

The Crosstrek's base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Those ponies are sent through a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional continuously variable automatic. All-wheel drive is standard across the board. Subaru says this base engine can push a Crosstrek to 60 mph in 9.7 seconds, which is very slow, even for this segment of slow vehicles. CVT-equipped 2.0-liter Crosstreks get EPA ratings of 28 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined. The few shift-for-yourselfers who choose the standard six-speed manual fare far worse with EPA ratings of 22/29/25.

Sport and Limited models come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 hpand 176 lb-ft of torque. Subaru says Crosstreks equipped with the larger engine can do 0-60 in a far more competitive 8.2 seconds, and that’s with a driver, a passenger and a dog onboard (Great Dane or Chihuahua? Subaru didn’t specify). The bigger engine doesn’t have a noticeable effect on fuel efficiency. The larger 2.5 gets 27/34/29. So, one less in the city and combined, but actually an MPG better on the highway, likely due to altered transmission gearing and final drive ratio. 

Buyers looking for the most fuel efficient Crosstrek will want to look at the plug-in hybrid version. It pairs a 2.0-liter engine with a pair of electric motors and an 8.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack supplied by Toyota. Total power output for the hybrid drivetrain is 148 horsepower. Unfortunately, the plug-in is only good for a modest 17 miles of all-electric range. On the other hand, it's rated at 90 MPGe combined gas and electric, and a solid 35 mpg combined on gas only. Additionally, it doesn't take long at all to charge it up. It'll refill in about two hours on a Level 2 charge, or five hours on a regular household 120-volt outlet.

What's the Crosstrek like to drive?

The base 2.0-liter takes an agonizingly long time to get up to speed, something noticed by our editors and current Crosstrek owners alike. As such, we strongly recommend stepping up to the 2.5-liter engine if at all possible. It doesn’t remotely turn the Crosstrek into a rocketship, but it does slide this 3,300-pound vehicle up the scale from underpowered to properly powered. Passing maneuvers no longer elicit panic, and freeway onramps don’t immediately send the engine to dronesville.

Really, the added power was all the Crosstrek needed. It rides well, with good comfort from what feels like greater suspension travel than small CUVs like the Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR. There’s quite a lot of body roll in quick transitions (lifting a compact hatchback to a ride height greater than most SUVs tends to do that), but in this class of vehicle that’s a reasonable tradeoff for big-bump cushiness. The Crosstrek’s steering is a little overboosted and numb, but we appreciate the quick 13:1 steering ratio that makes the car feel nimble and quick to change direction with a light flick of the wrists. It's also noticeably more responsive and confidence inspiring than the Outback's rather inert steering.

Drivers with sporty intentions may also appreciate the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters on Premium, Sport and Limited trim levels. There aren’t any actual gear changes happening from the CVT, but they do lock the transmission into eight predetermined virtual gears, which is nice when setting up for a winding road or when you want to use engine braking down long downhill grades.

What other Subaru Crosstrek reviews can you read?

2021 Subaru Crosstrek First Drive

We spent a full day driving the latest version of the Crosstrek and find that the larger 2.5-liter engine is exactly what that the Crosstrek needed.

2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid First Drive

Buyers who want an affordable all-wheel-drive compact crossover — a popular combination — but also want a plug and freedom from range anxiety will find plenty to like in the Crosstrek Hybrid.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Luggage Test | How much fits in the cargo area?

It doesn't look very big, but the numbers say it's better than most other subcompact crossovers. We put that to the test with actual stuff.

How much is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek price and what features are available?

The 2021 Crosstrek starts at $23,295, including the $1,050 destination charge. Adding an automatic transmission in place of the six-speed manual brings the price to $24,645. That includes a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus proximity entry and automatic climate control.

The Premium trim adds about a grand to the price and includes heated seats and an upgraded six-speaker sound system, while the new Sport trim, which comes standard with the 2.5-liter engine, runs $27,690.

The top level Limited costs $29,045 and gets unique 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, adaptive LED headlights and the larger 8.0-inch screen that is otherwise optional on other trims (and definitely recommended).

Finally, the Crosstrek Hybrid starts at $35,970, but is only kept in dealer inventory in California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont.

What are the Crosstrek safety ratings and driver assistance features?

Crosstreks with the automatic transmission get Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology package standard. For 2021, it adds adaptive cruise control and lane centering to its previous suite of technologies that includes automatic emergency braking and lane departure prevention. Unfortunately, only the Limited gets standard automatic high-beams, automatic reverse braking, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Crosstrek received a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it their highest Top Safety Pick+ award.

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