- The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek gets some light updates for this year.
- Adaptive cruise control is now standard on all models with a CVT.
- Sport and Limited models get a 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower.
- Pricing starts at $22,245 | Price it your way
- On sale now | See Subaru Crosstrek models for sale near you
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek blurs the lines between crossover and hatchback, offers plenty of space for passengers, pets, and cargo, offers good off-road capability, and comes with standard all-wheel drive and generous safety equipment.
The biggest news for 2021 is that the Crosstrek now gets a larger and more powerful 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine in the Sport and Limited models. The base model and the Premium model still come with the 2.0-liter engine with either a 6-speed manual transmission or an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Sport and Premium come only equipped with the CVT, however.
Passenger Room and Comfort
The 5-passenger 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offers plenty of room for people and cargo. Seat comfort is good, although we wish the driver’s seat had some sort of adjustable lumbar. A simple and uncluttered dash contains easy-to-use knobs and switches for most functions. The passenger and cargo space remains unchanged for 2021 since the Crosstrek was all-new in 2019.
Features and Tech
At the base level, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and automatic climate control. If you order a Crosstrek with the CVT, it adds some significant hardware in the form of Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite (which now includes adaptive cruise control with lane-centering), SI-Drive mode adjustment, and automatic engine start/stop.
On the Crosstrek Premium, you get paddle shifters, a leather-covered steering wheel, an all-weather package, and fog lights.
In addition to the 2.5-liter engine and the CVT, the new Subaru Crosstrek Sport model comes with a dual X-Mode all-wheel-drive system, aggressive fender liners, dark gray 17-inch alloy wheels, a water-repellent interior, and side-view mirrors with integrated directional signals.
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Limited also gets the 2.5 and the CVT, plus 18-inch alloy wheels, leather interior, power driver’s seat, and 8-inch touchscreen. There are also welcome safety features like blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, active LED headlights, and reverse automatic braking.
There is also the Crosstrek Hybrid, which has a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors. Standard fare includes X-Mode AWD, leather upholstery, low-profile roof rails, and black 18-inch alloy wheels.
Materials and Design
Inside, the Crosstrek gets a few new touches at the Limited and Sport levels. The Limited cabin comes with black or gray leather with orange stitching on the seats, door armrests and instrument panel, plus a 6-way power driver’s seat. You also get a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever handle.
The new Sport trim gets the Premium trim’s content, plus StarTex upholstery with yellow stitching. StarTex is water repellent. Yellow stitching accents the simulated leather door trim panel armrests, leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift boot, multifunction display visor, and center console storage box lid. The carpeted floor mats feature the Sport logo and yellow stitching. You also get simulated carbon-fiber trim inside the Crosstrek at the Sport level. The steering wheel sports yellow-metallic trim.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
The interior room of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is ample. It boasts 20.8 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats and 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. With thin pillars and plenty of glass, the Crosstrek provides good outward visibility.
The 2021 Crosstrek comes with plenty of optional interior accessories including those that are pet-safe and pet-friendly. You can choose options like a ramp, collapsible crate, travel bed and carrier, and pet bowls and dishes. Also available are pet-friendly seat covers to ensure that your interior stays clean.
You also can opt for a variety of roof and hitch attachments to carry everything from bikes to cargo boxes.
More 2021 Subaru Crosstrek
Build and price your own 2021 Subaru Crosstrek to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or see Crosstrek models for sale near you.
