2021 Subaru Crosstrek Review

　　

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　If REI ever needs an extra-small SUV to have in picture backgrounds of its catalog, the Subaru Crosstrek will surely do. With its exaggerated fender arches and raised roof rails, it easily looks the part of a get-back-to-nature SUV. There's some substance to the style, too, with an elevated stance good for 8.7 inches of ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive that can help this little Subaru find its way over rutted trails.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$151/mo  for Crosstrek Base

　　Crosstrek Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6M) - $22,245 MSRP4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $23,595 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6M) - $23,295 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $24,645 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $26,495 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $27,995 MSRPHybrid 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT) - $35,345 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　In prior years, we were disappointed by the Crosstrek's weak base engine and slow acceleration. But for 2021, there's a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that ups the power in a big way. Standard on the upper-level Sport and Limited trims, the 2.5-liter engine provides 182 horsepower and significantly increases the Crosstrek's acceleration and desirability. The 152-horsepower engine is still a sore spot for the plucky Subaru, but buyers who want more power have a seriously appealing option now. So is the 2021 Crosstrek the best SUV for you? Check out our Expert Rating to learn more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Crosstrek drive? With the base powertrain, the Crosstrek can seem painfully slow when accelerating onto the freeway. But the 182-hp 2.5-liter engine shaves nearly 2 seconds off its 0-60 mph acceleration, bringing it down to a respectable 8.4 seconds. Combine that with communicative steering and above-average off-road capability and you've got a seriously competitive extra-small SUV.

　　Handling, however, is underwhelming. The Crosstrek's hard tires provide only modest grip on pavement, and the tall ride height brings about noticeable body roll when you crank around a turn. Most rival SUVs offer a more enthusiastic on-road driving experience.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Crosstrek? With a relatively quiet and smooth ride, the Crosstrek is easy to drive on long trips. And with the optional 2.5-liter engine, there's less noise in the cabin too. There's still a bit of a growl when you bury the throttle to make a passing maneuver, but the sound is a bit more pleasant than the standard 2.0-liter engine's wheezy soundtrack.

　　The front and rear seats are comfortable for extra-long road trips, even if they are a bit on the firm side. But if you find yourself on a twisty road, you'll quickly discover the front seats a little lacking in the bolstering department. The climate control system is easy to operate, with several large, easily readable dials, but some of the vents are located in inconvenient spots.

　　

Interior

8.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The Crosstrek's cabin is highly functional and well laid out. The high-resolution screens have large fonts and simple menu structures. The lifted ride height of the Crosstrek (compared to its sibling, the Impreza) makes it easy to get in and out of and delivers excellent visibility. The driving position is good too, with lots of adjustment from the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel.

　　There's plenty of room in both the front and back seats, and the Crosstrek offers one of the more spacious cabins in the class. The only space that will be slightly cramped is the rear seat, but just for taller passengers.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Standard features including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto give the Crosstrek an easy entry point for tech-savvy users. The crisp center screen is appealing, and voice controls allow for changing things, such as the radio station, with only a few small tweaks to everyday language.

　　The optional eight-speaker Harman Kardon stereo (Limited trim only) is an upgrade from the standard setup and offers some extra volume and increased audio quality. The navigation display is easy to see and understand. The Crosstrek's lane-keeping assist system intervenes pretty regularly, but not to the point of being overzealous or annoying.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? Interior storage is a little below average. There's 20.8 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats or 55 cubes when you fold the seats down. Small-item storage is a bit limited, so you'll have to be creative when storing your personal items. Child seats can be installed very easily thanks to the large door openings and high roof.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? With the 2.5-liter engine (which is only available with the CVT), the Crosstrek gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined (27 city/34 highway). That's pretty good for an off-road-friendly compact crossover SUV. Real-world fuel economy isn't as impressive, however. On our 115-mile highway-heavy evaluation route, our Crosstrek Limited returned 27.5 mpg. It does have a long range thanks to its big 16-gallon fuel tank, which is 20%-30% larger than most rivals.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the Crosstrek a good value? Subaru offers a good number of features for what you pay. Our test car had solid build quality. There are lots of nice soft-touch surfaces on the inside of the Crosstrek, especially at the top Limited trim level. A top-trim Mazda CX-30 is nicer still, but overall the Crosstrek easily justifies its cost.

　　Subaru's three-year/36,000-mile warranty is average for the class, but it covers items such as wiper blades and brake pads — that's rare and appreciated.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　This is where the Crosstrek shines. There are only one or two vehicles in this class that can go as far off the beaten path as the Crosstrek, especially when you consider available features and the low price point. It's a gateway into the outdoors with a bit of its own flash, style and finally enough horsepower.

　　

Which Crosstrek does zzdcar recommend?

Because the base engine is so lackluster, we recommend upgrading to the new Sport trim level. It gets the new 2.5-liter engine, which significantly improves the driving experience. The Sport also comes with simulated leather upholstery, heated front seats and unique styling flares. On top of that, we recommend adding the optional 8-inch touchscreen.

　　

2021 Subaru Crosstrek models

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is offered in four trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport and Limited. All Crosstreks come standard with all-wheel drive. Features include:

　　The Base and Premium trims are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (152 horsepower), while the Sport and the Limited get the upgraded 2.5-liter four-cylinder (182 hp).

　　Base and Premium trims come standard with a six-speed manual transmission with an optional continuously variable automatic transmission, which is the only transmission offered on the Sport and top-of-the-line Limited.

　　The Base trim level gets quite a bit of equipment, including:

　　2.0-liter engine (152 hp) Six-speed manual transmission or optional CVT automatic 17-inch wheels Roof rails Automatic climate control 6.5-inch touchscreen One USB port Four-speaker stereo Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibilityAdding the CVT to the base trim also gets you:

　　Subaru's X-Mode drive-mode selector Hill descent control Subaru's driver aid system (EyeSight) with: Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Subaru and the car in front) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) On top of the base trim with the manual, the manual-equipped Premium adds:

　　Heated front seats Heated side mirrors Six-speaker stereo An extra USB port Rear cargo cover Foglights Leather-wrapped steering wheel The Crosstrek Premium with the CVT automatic gains the same extra equipment you get on the base, which includes Subaru's EyeSight system. The Premium also offers a few options including:

　　Sunroof Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)The Sport trim adds to the CVT-equipped Premium's equipment with:

　　2.5-liter engine (182 hp) Special fender flares Yellow interior stitching and simulated leather upholstery (Subaru's StarTex) Push-button start and keyless entry Rear-seat USB portsThe Sport can be had with the same option package available on the Premium (sunroof, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert). On the Sport, it also adds an 8-inch infotainment screen.

　　The top-of-the-range Limited also comes with the upgraded engine plus:

　　18-inch wheels 8-inch infotainment interface Leather upholstery Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert Adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) LED foglights Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Power-adjustable driver's seatOptional extras with the Limited trim include a sunroof, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and an integrated navigation system.

　　

2021 Crosstrek Highlights

Type: SUVPlug-in HybridSUV

　　Trim: BasePremiumSportLimitedHybridBase

　　

Base MSRP	$22,245
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$151/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	20.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles