2021 Subaru Crosstrek

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek base model carries an MSRP of $22,245 in the USA. It's followed by the Premium at $23,295 and the Sport at $26,495. The Subaru Crosstrek will cost $27,995 in Limited guise. The only hybrid is also the most expensive Crosstrek at a price of $35,345. However, the Crosstrek Hybrid does potentially qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $4,502, effectively bringing it a lot closer to the Limited. Various state-specific incentives may also apply. These prices exclude tax, licensing, registration, and a destination charge of $1,050.

In the US, the CVT transmission will add $1,350 to the price of the Subaru Crosstrek for the Base and Premium trims. All other models employ the CVT by default.

Our test drive revealed that the addition of a larger engine has mostly solved the Crosstrek's most glaring fault, but it still won't force Wrangler owners to switch to Subaru any time soon. The additional horsepower is appreciated, but we can't help but yearn for a turbocharged option for additional off-road fun. With the new 2.5-liter engine, the Crosstrek morphs from painfully slow to merely average. Like most Subaru models, the Crosstrek offers surprisingly great chassis balance that will bring a grin to your face. Body roll is to be expected from a lifted hatchback like this, but the steering is highly communicative and helps the driver feel in control of the experience at all times.

With its adequate ride height, the Crosstrek is a delight when sliding around a gravel road or dusty trail. Subaru's Symmetrical AWD system keeps the car feeling planted at all times, which should come in handy in rainy or snowy conditions. An available dual-function X-Mode lets drivers switch from snow/dirt to deep snow/mud, managing the engine, transmission, and AWD system to suit these conditions. On the paved road where most Crosstrek owners will spend the majority of their drive time, the vehicle rides well with minimal disruption or road noise for such an inexpensive price tag.

Driving the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek reaffirmed our love for this vehicle. The Crosstrek offers a balanced combination of comfort, off-road capability, safety, and driving pleasure in an affordable package. Adding a larger engine has mostly solved the Crosstrek's sluggish acceleration, though we still believe competitors in this segment warrant an even quicker turbocharged option. There is a charming simplicity to how the Crosstrek functions, and we'd still recommend it for a younger buyer seeking a capable adventure vehicle.

There are plenty of other options to consider in the subcompact crossover market, including the affordable Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos, premium Mazda CX-30, off-road capable Jeep Renegade, and many more. These options each offer a different flavor of subcompact, so the choice may come down to personal preference and brand affinity. Some buyers may also prefer the more SUV-like styling of these competitors rather than the Crosstrek's lifted hatch design. With a strong reliability track record and reasonable pricing, the Subaru Crosstrek warrants high consideration here.

Although we still find ourselves tempted by the Crosstrek with a manual transmission, its lower fuel economy and basic specification makes it a tough recommendation. Instead, we think the larger 2.5-liter engine with the CVT will appeal to more buyers, and the Sport trim is the most affordable way to get this combination. We'd pull the trigger on the Crosstrek Sport, which starts at $26,495. From there, we'd add the omly available package for $1,600, which bundles the larger eight-inch infotainment system, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, lane change assist, and a moonroof. With a $1,050 destination fee, this model rings in at a reasonable $29,145 price.

If you prefer a rugged, family-friendly vehicle with more of a wagon body style, the Outback should appeal. It starts at $26,795, so is the more expensive vehicle, but unlike the Crosstrek, it comes standard with the 2.5-liter engine and the EyeSight driver-assist suite. The Outback has the same ground clearance as the Crosstrek but far more cargo space thanks to its longer body. The Outback's 2,700-pound towing capacity also exceeds the gas-only Crosstrek's 1,500 lbs comfortably. For more power, the Outback can be upgraded with a 260-hp turbocharged engine that will see it comfortably leave behind the quickest Crosstrek. The Crosstrek is a plucky and capable SUV, but the more refined Outback is a nicer vehicle and worth the extra cash.

The Forester is a step up from the smaller Crosstrek, offering a comfortable ride and impressive off-road capability in a bigger package. At $24,795, it starts at $2,500 more than the Crosstrek. The Forester is only offered with the bigger, 182-hp 2.5-liter engine, but a manual gearbox is not available. The Forester is a bit better equipped as standard and offers additional extras like a power tailgate and a driver's side memory system. It also has a lot more cargo space than the smaller Crosstrek, but the towing capacity and ground clearance of both models are the same. If economy matters, the Crosstrek Hybrid wins as there is no hybrid version of the Forester. The Forester is everything the Crosstrek is, just more of it. Both are great SUVs but we'd get the Forester if we could.