Subaru is synonymous with rugged, reliable, and downright practical vehicles that walk that fine line between on-road comfort, safety and functionality, yet have the capability to deal with lousy weather and mild off-roading. The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, now in its sixth year of production, blurs the lines between compact SUV and hatchback, offers all-wheel drive as standard, and comes packed to the gills with safety equipment.
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek gets some upgrades, including a new optional 2.5-liter engine in the Sport and Limited trims. While it’s the same horizontally opposed flat-4 engine that’s in the larger Subaru Forester, it gives the Crosstrek a 30-horsepower bump over the 2.0-liter in the base 2021 Crosstrek.
The 2.0-liter engine can be had with a 6-speed manual transmission; the 2.5-liter engine in the higher trims, however, only comes with a CVT. There is also an optional hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine paired with two electric motors.
Plenty of trims to choose from
There are five trims to choose from: Crosstrek (base), Premium, Sport, Limited, and Hybrid.
The base-level 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 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 includes automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering), SI-Drive, and automatic 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, push-button ignition, a leather interior, a power driver’s seat, an 8-inch touchscreen, and added safety features like blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, active LED headlights, and reverse automatic braking.
Plug-in Hybrid Details
The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid 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, Hill Descent Control, low-profile roof rails, black 18-in. alloy wheels, and a gray/navy blue leather interior. Like other Crosstrek models, it has 8.7 inches of ground clearance.
Prices start at $22,245 (plus a destination of $1,050) for the base Crosstrek with a manual transmission. The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Premium with the 6-speed manual starts at $23,295, while a Crosstrek Premium with CVT begins at $24,645.
Next up, the new Crosstrek Sport model. Equipped with the 2.5-liter engine as standard equipment, the Crosstrek Sport starts at $26,495. The Crosstrek Limited (equipped with the same 2.5-liter engine but more standard equipment) starts at $27,995.
The Crosstrek Hybrid, with its 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors, starts at $35,345 and gets a redesign to the front bumper and grille and sportier suspension tuning. It offers an all-electric range of 17 miles.
We like the Crosstrek Sport with the CVT best, which starts at $23,295 (plus destination). It gets Subaru’s safety suite, called EyeSight, as well as a dual-function X-Mode which offers hill descent control.
Here’s the Complete Rundown on 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Trims and Prices:
2021 Subaru Crosstrek (Base): $22,245
- 2.0-liter flat-4 engine
- 6-speed manual transmission
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Roof rails
- Automatic climate control
- Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
- Tilt/telescopic steering column
2021 Subaru Crosstrek Premium: $23,295
- Fog lights
- Heated front seats, wipers & side mirrors
- 6-speaker audio system
- On/off automatic headlights linked to the wiper system
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel & shift handle
- Retractable cargo cover
2021 Subaru Base and Premium (with CVT): $24,645
- Si-Drive (with Intelligence and Sport modes)
- X-Mode AWD with Hill Descent Control
- Paddle shifters (Premium only)
- EyeSight driver-assist suite
- Rear-seat reminder
2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport: $26,495
- 2.5-liter flat-4 engine w/CVT automatic
- Dual-function X-Mode (with deep dirt and snow modes)
- Unique wheel arch moldings
- Gunmetal finish on the grille
- Water-repellent upholstery with yellow stitching
2021 Subaru Crosstrek Limited: $27,995
- 2.5-liter flat-4 engine w/CVT automatic
- Active LED headlights and fog lights
- Black 18-inch alloy wheels
- Black or gray leather upholstery with orange stitching
- Power driver’s seat
- Blind-spot monitor/rear cross-traffic alert
2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid: $35,345
- Hybrid plug-in gas/electric powertrain
- X-Mode AWD
- Hill Descent Control
- Black 18-inch alloy wheels
- Low-profile roof rails
- Gray/navy blue leather interior
Ready to buy a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek? Shop for one on sale now near you.
