History/Overview
The Crosstrek is Subaru’s smallest crossover model, a compact based on the Impreza hatchback. It was also one of the industry’s first compact utilities when Subaru introduced it in 2013 as the XV Crosstrek.
What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year
For 2021, Subaru has added a more powerful 2.5L engine to the lineup. It’s standard in a new Outdoor trim level, as well as in the top-end Limited configuration carried over from 2020. The Crosstrek’s AWD system also adds an X-mode function for better off-road performance.
The EyeSight safety suite gets an enhanced adaptive cruise control system with lane centering, and all trims get a new front bumper and headlights.
Available Trims
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek comes in Convenience, Touring, Outdoor, Sport and Limited trim levels. Convenience, Touring and Sport stick with last year’s 2.0L engine and start with a six-speed manual transmission. Outdoor and Limited get the 2.5L and are standard with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that is optional in cars with the smaller motor. All-wheel drive is standard in all Crosstrek trims.
Standard Features
Crosstrek Convenience starts out with heated/power-adjustable side mirrors, black roof rails, 17-inch wheels, body-coloured door handles and variable intermittent wipers.
Inside, Convenience trim comes with a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, a four-speaker stereo, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, air conditioning, tilt-and-telescopic steering, power windows, cloth upholstery, and manual front seat adjustments.
Optional in Convenience trim is the EyeSight safety system, which comprises forward collision detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, lane departure alert, lane keep assist, and lead vehicle start alert. EyeSight-equipped cars are also standard with the automatic transmission.
Touring trim adds LED fog lights, automatic on/off headlights, a front wiper de-icer, a six-speaker stereo, Starlink connected services, a cargo cover, passive keyless entry, welcome lighting, 4.2-inch gauge cluster and 6.3-inch driver info screens, chrome interior door handles, leather-trimmed shifter and steering wheel with orange stitching, heated front seats, and upgraded cloth upholstery. EyeSight is optional here as well, and also comes bundled with the automatic transmission.
Outdoor trim gets a unique grille treatment, an 8.0-inch infotainment display, LED cargo lighting, yellow-stitched interior trim, and all-weather soft-touch upholstery. EyeSight is standard in all Outdoor models, along with a front-view camera, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
Sport trim reverts to orange interior stitching and gains a sunroof and lighted vanity mirrors. Option a Sport model with EyeSight (which, again, comes with the CVT) and Subaru adds automatic high beams and reverse automatic braking.
Finally, Limited is standard with EyeSight and also gets 18-inch wheels, chrome door handles, navigation, SiriusXM traffic, an eight-speaker stereo, dual-zone automatic climate control, silver interior trim, and leather seating.
Fuel Economy
As of this writing, Subaru had not published fuel consumption estimates for the 2021 Crosstrek. Ratings for cars with the 2.0L engine should be similar to those for last year, at 8.5/7.0 L/100 km (city/highway) with the CVT, and 10.5/8.1 L/100 km when fitted with the manual transmission.
We predict estimates for the Crosstrek’s 2.5L/CVT combination will be close to 8.8/7.1 L/100 km (city/highway).
Competition
Much of the Crosstrek’s competition comes from other Japanese brands. There’s the Honda HR-V, Toyota’s C-HR, the Nissan Qashqai, Mazda’s CX-3 and CX-30, and the Mitsubishi RVR.
From South Korea come the Kia Seltos and Hyundai’s Kona.
Domestic competitors include the Ford Ecosport, Chevrolet’s Trax and Trailblazer, the Jeep Renegade, and Fiat’s 500X (which we dub a domestic because of its close ties with the Jeep brand).
