2020 Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru prices the Crosstrek lineup on par with other compact crossovers in the class. The base-spec model comes in at a base price of $22,145, that's excluding any tax, registration, or licensing fees as well as Subaru's destination and handling charge of $1,010. The Premium Subaru Crosstrek carries a price tag of $23,195; it'll cost an additional $1,350 to option either the base model or the Premium with the optional Lineartronic CVT. At the pinnacle of the range is the Limited at a sticker price of $27,395.

Despite its rather mediocre powertrain, the Subaru Crosstrek still exhibits some more than average aptitude in its ride quality and handling dynamics. Its standard suspension setup is tuned firmly, but not so as to deliver a harsh ride. It keeps the ride consistently composed and absorbs most larger road imperfections and undulations with ease. Thanks to its well-weighted steering and composed ride, it also feels sure-footed and firmly planted through the corners, plus, despite its relatively tall ride height, exhibits minimal body lean in the turns. Overall, its ride and handling can be likened to that of the Impreza hatchback; the Crosstrek feels like a car, quite easy and balanced.

It's on the offroad trails where the Crosstrek truly impresses, however. Subaru's AWD systems are renowned, and the Crosstrek's does an excellent job of maintaining confident levels of grip regardless of the surface conditions. Ultimately, Subaru did an exceptional job balancing the Crosstrek's urban-centric ride quality with its semi-off-road capability.

The Crosstrek is an odd breed. If you want a compact SUV from Subaru, the Forester more than fills the void, so the Impreza-based Crosstrek, with a small trunk and cramped interior, seems a little out of place. But when put to the test, it's more than just a lifted hatchback, and it's a genuinely capable off-roader and a comfortable on-road cruiser. Small dimensions mean it's nimble around parking lots, and the high level of safety features means it's ideal for families. Ultimately, the Crosstrek will have a very specific buyer, though, and if you're after a traditional SUV, this won't quite cut the mustard. But if you're an avid adventurer that spends equal amounts of time in urban and extra-urban situations, the Crosstrek is highly capable at handling both, and that ruggedness is a winning point in our eyes.

With the Premium Subaru Crosstrek costing only $1,000 more than the base-spec model and with extended availability to a couple of optional packages, albeit with the provision of the optional CVT, we believe it's the ideal Crosstrek worth paying for. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter and orange accented stitching that it features altogether vastly improve the overall cabin impression, aesthetically and in its quality. The heated front seats, six-speaker sound system, and the addition of SiriusXM All-Access radio and 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability are great upgrades too. Unlike the base model, the Premium also gets access to the Optional Package containing features such as a power tilt/sliding moonroof, a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a selection of advanced driver-assist technologies.

Another one of Subaru's well-balanced offerings, the Outback, is a larger off-road wagon. It comes equipped with a more powerful base engine and with the option of an even more powerful turbocharged four-banger, both of which make the Outback the better option in terms of outright performance and both are also reasonably fuel-efficient. As the larger vehicle, the Outback also offers more passenger room, way more cargo room, with 32.5 cu-ft. behind the rear seats, and a whole lot more capability with a max towing capacity of 2,700 lbs. The Outback is the more polished Subaru here, featuring a better powertrain overall, greater practicality, and a selection of more luxurious features and technologies. Subsequently, it is the more expensive vehicle, but one that is well worth the extra money, especially considering its more powerful engine options.

The Forester is Subaru's bona fide compact SUV and is priced only a little higher than the Crosstrek with the base model carrying an MSRP of $24,495. It features a more powerful 182-hp 2.5-liter engine, which, while beneficial to acceleration and being pretty much as fuel-efficient as the Crosstrek's mill, doesn't do much to improve capability, as the Forester's maximum towing capacity equals the Crosstreks at 1,500 lbs. The Forester is a lot more spacious, however, it accommodates passengers with more room overall and offers up 31.5 cu-ft of cargo room behind the rear seats. Apart from those differences, the two Subaru's are otherwise very similar in every other regard, from the cabin design to the standard features list. Ultimately, the Crosstrek would be the better option for those who'd appreciate its nimble car-like driving dynamics, while the Forester would be better for those who want the extra passenger room and practicality.