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2021 Subaru Crosstrek review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
7 photos

Subaru Crosstrek highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Hatchback-like drivability
  • High ground clearance plus standard AWD
  • All-wheel drive is standard

Cons

  • Interior is much less refined than the competition
  • Acceleration is not too quick
  • Could use more cargo space

Mileage (EPA estimate)

22 city, 29 highway, 25 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

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Price
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A rugged compact SUV for all seasons.

If you're searching for a car that can handle all terrain and weather conditions while still being small and practical enough for daily city driving, don't overlook the compact SUV class. And if you want the practicality and personality of a hatchback crossed with the rugged off-road abilities of an SUV, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek should be high on your list. Stylish and sporty, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek can handle almost anything you throw at it while still being effortlessly easy to drive every day. From the grocery store to the forest trail, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is the compact SUV that can handle it all. While we currently do not have many 2021 Subaru Crosstreks on our lots, we look forward to selling more in the future. If you love the 2021 model, you should also consider prior model years of the Subaru Crosstrek with similar features.

All Subaru Crosstrek years

What is new for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

  • The Crosstrek is available in a new trim called the Sport.
  • Crosstrek trims have been upgraded with Leatherette Seats as standard equipment this year.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek trims

Curious how Subaru Crosstrek trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Base:

  • 152-hp, 145-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
  • Rear View Camera
  • Cloth Seats
  • Traction Control
  • Power Mirrors
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Cruise Control
  • Rear Defroster
  • Side Airbags
  • View our Subaru Crosstrek inventory

Premium:

Sport:

Limited:

Subaru Crosstrek photos

5 reasons to buy the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

1. All-terrain versatility

Subaru has a proud legacy of building cars that can handle off-road just as well as they can city streets. And as compact as it is, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is still an SUV at its core—one well-equipped to handle the rough terrain with the smooth. All 2021 Subaru Crosstrek models come with all-wheel drive as standard, and Subaru X-MODE® with hill-descent control is an option on lower trims and standard on the Crosstrek Sport upwards. The new 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine available for 2021 also helps with extra grunt. All of this makes the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek not only a very capable off-road SUV but also a really fun driving experience in any weather or road surface.

2. Kind to your wallet

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Review: Engine | CarMax

One of the main advantages of forgoing a larger full-size SUV is a drastic reduction in the number of trips to the pump. And the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek doesn't disappoint in this department. The standard 2.0L four-cylinder engine is capable of an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined, when paired with the eight-speed automatic transmission.

 And despite the horsepower and torque increase of the 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, it can still achieve an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined and 34 mpg on the highway.
 Sometimes smaller is better, and the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is a great demonstration of that.

3. Spacious interior

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Review: Front seats | CarMax

A compact SUV though it may be, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek can still provide an interior with plenty of space for both passengers and luggage. There is seating for up to five passengers available, with a very generous 100.9 cu-ft of passenger volume, meaning all your friends and family members will have plenty of space to stretch out and get comfortable. And for the shopping trips, there's a very roomy 20.8 cu-ft of cargo volume behind the rear seats too. Additionally, 60/40 split-folding rear seats take that figure up to 55.3 cu-ft of cargo volume with rear seatbacks lowered. From daily grocery shopping to luggage and supplies for an epic adventure, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek can handle the grind with ease.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Review: Backseats | CarMax

 

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Review: Trunk | CarMax

4. Driver convenience features at your fingertips

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Review: Dashboard | CarMax

All this talk of off-roading and all-weather driving might sound a little intimidating, but you can relax—the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek has plenty to give you peace of mind, no matter what the conditions. All-wheel drive on all models is a great starting point, and the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek has a wealth of driver-convenience tech available across all trim levels, too. Optional on lower trims and standard on Crosstrek Premium trims upwards, the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite includes lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is an option on Premium and Sport trims and standard on top-line Limited trims, and all bar the base model get the Subaru STARLINK as standard. It's clear that the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offers driver convenience features in abundance.

5. Style and presence

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Review | CarMax

Being a compact SUV, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek manages to bring the presence and style of larger SUVs into a smaller package. Alongside other similarly sized hatchbacks on the street, the Crosstrek stands out from the pack with its purposeful styling, especially on Sport trims upwards with the available sports grill and wheel arches. Additionally, there are ten exterior colors available to choose from, including bold and eye-catching colors like Pure Red, Sunshine Orange, and Lagoon Blue Pearl. The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is not a car designed to blend into the background; expect to see people turning their heads on the street when you drive past in this car.

Similar vehicles

If you're interested in the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.

Image of Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a go-anywhere compact crossover with room for your whole crew. The 2017-2018 Forester has a standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine producing 170 hp or an available 250-hp 2.0L turbo-four. Starting in 2019, the Forester bumped base horsepower to 182 for the standard 2.5L but dropped the more powerful engine option. For 2017-2018, the Subaru Forester has 31.5 cubic feet of room behind the back seat, which increases to 33 cubic feet for 2019 and newer models.

Standard features on 2017-2021 Subaru Forester models include:

  • 6.2-inch touchscreen (6.5-inch for 2019+)

  • Height-adjustable driver's seat

  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration (2019+)

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4
1
2
Excellent

RepairPal gave the Subaru Crosstrek an overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Excellent. This rating ranks Subaru Crosstrek 5th out of 29 among Compact SUVs.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru Crosstrek features and specs

Limited 4WD/AWD 4D Sport Utility

Standard Features

  • 4WD/AWD
  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • CD Audio
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Leather Seats
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Traction Control
  • Full Roof Rack
  • Harman Kardon Sound
  • Navigation System
  • Remote Start
  • Rockford Fosgate Sound
  • Sunroof(s)
  • Tow Hitch

Drive Wheels

All Wheel (4WD/AWD)

Engine size

2.5L

Horsepower

182

Torque (ft-lbs)

176

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

16.6

Wheelbase

104.9"

Overall length

176.5"

Width

71"

Height

63.6"

Leg room

F 43.1"/R 36.5"

Head room

F 39.8"/R 38"

Front tires

P225/55HR18

Rear tires

P225/55HR18

Seating capacity

5

Max towing capacity

150/1500 lbs.

Transmission

Automatic

2021 Subaru Crosstrek FAQ

More about the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Color options

Exterior colors:

  • Cool-Gray Khaki

  • Crystal Black Silica

  • Crystal White Pearl

  • Ice Silver Metallic

  • Lagoon Blue Pearl

  • Magnetite Gray Metallic

  • Plasma Yellow Pearl

  • Pure Red

  • Quartz Blue Pearl

Interior details

  • Seating for up to five passengers

  • 100.9 cu-ft of passenger volume

  • 20.8 cu-ft of cargo volume behind the rear seats

  • 60/40 split-folding rear seats as standard

  • 55.3 cu-ft of cargo volume with rear seatbacks lowered

  • Dual cup holders in center console as standard

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