Used 2022 Subaru Crosstrek

The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek is a special member of the subcompact crossover/SUV class. It has all-wheel drive as standard and offers a plug-in hybrid variant. A good amount of ground clearance also means it could drive over thick snow rather than become stuck in it.

Appealing to outdoorsy and no-nonsense types, the 2022 Crosstrek also enjoys many of the other usual Subaru attributes. It holds its value well and has great safety scores.

Although called the Crosstrek Hybrid, this variant is actually a plug-in hybrid (PHEV — plug-in hybrid electric vehicle). It has a bigger battery than a regular hybrid and can be recharged from an outside source. This enables it to cover 17 miles just on electric power. It also qualifies for financial incentives from federal and state programs.

Every 2022 Crosstrek has Active Torque Vectoring, where the all-wheel-drive system adjusts power to certain wheels with the task of tracking through corners in a stable and composed manner. The outside wheels will usually be faster than their inside counterparts. Along with the grip and traction of all-wheel drive, this adds up to a reassuring driving experience.

Not that those Crosstrek models with the 152-horsepower base engine will be tearing up the tarmac. We acknowledge that many people only need sufficient muscle for trundling around the suburbs. But achieving freeway speeds reasonably quickly requires more than this engine can manage.

Sure, the 6-speed manual transmission lets a driver extract the most performance. But the automatic option means a better all-wheel-drive system, the inclusion of driver assistance features, superior fuel economy, and an easier time of selling the vehicle a few years down the line.

This makes the automatic — a continuously variable transmission, or CVT — more desirable. Yet simultaneously weird. As a general rule, a CVT is only marginally more preferable than an ingrown toenail. It doesn’t react quickly enough, leading to a “rubber band” feel. And it has a tendency to drone.

But we’re recommending the CVT anyway, because of all the other stuff that can come with it. Including the more powerful engine. Developing a that’s-more-like-it 182 horsepower, the 2.5-liter unit in the Sport and Premium versions gives the Crosstrek proper propulsion, and doesn’t have to be worked so hard.

It’s a different kind of deal with the 2022 Crosstrek Hybrid. Although the combined efforts of the gasoline engine and two electric motors add up to only 148 horsepower, less than the base model’s output, there’s still the question of thrust as opposed to top speed.

Electric motors supply virtually all their torque from standstill. That’s great for pulling away as the lights go green or zipping into a gap in the traffic. Subaru doesn’t quote a combined torque figure for the Crosstrek Hybrid, but the effect will be an amount of push more similar to the bigger gasoline engine than the smaller one.

Although an emphasis on functionality is always good, the 2022 Crosstrek’s simple cabin layout seems to appear more workmanlike as the trims become plusher. Orange stitching in the Premium and Limited models can only enliven things so much. We are happy to see a leather-wrapped steering wheel come in at the Premium level, though.

The driving position is nicely elevated, while a couple of average-sized adults sitting in the back won’t find much to complain about. Cargo space expands from 20.8 cubic feet behind the 60/40 split/folding rear seats to 55.3 cubic feet when they’re folded down (not completely flat). That’s for the regular Crosstrek.

The battery pack for the 2022 Crosstrek Hybrid means a higher loadspace floor, resulting in 15.9 and 43.1 cubic feet. If this aspect is important, check out the relatively spacious Honda HR-V or Kia Seltos.

Ground clearance is 8.7 inches, the same as a Jeep Cherokee. Which makes the 2022 Crosstrek one of the few subcompact crossovers with half a chance of getting to locations wilder than a Whole Foods parking lot.

The Sport version has its own design of alloy wheels finished in dark gray. These are complemented by badges and side mirror housings with a gunmetal gray finish. Every 2022 Crosstrek has roof rails.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
It’s a Subaru hallmark and much appreciated in those parts of the country that suffer regular bouts of bad weather. Not all subcompact crossovers even offer this feature, let alone fit it as standard.

PLUG-IN HYBRID
The Crosstrek Hybrid still has all-wheel drive, but is also the most fuel-efficient model in the lineup, as well as having a lot of standard equipment. Yet it can be around $6,000 less than the list price when taking advantage of all the incentives.

As well as a 6-speed manual transmission and the most basic all-wheel-drive system, the first model in the 2022 Crosstrek range (with no trim name) has the least powerful engine, plus 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted glass, roof rails, power windows/locks, automatic climate control, and cloth upholstery.

Safety features include seven airbags, traction/stability control, and whiplash-reducing front seats.

The infotainment system has a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, one USB port, Bluetooth, AM/FM radio, and four speakers.

It isn’t until the automatic transmission is selected that the 2022 Crosstrek starts to look more tempting. That’s when some EyeSight safety features are included, like forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning/lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control with lane centering. A rear-seat reminder, fuel-saving engine stop/restart feature, and a more sophisticated all-wheel-drive system are also included.

Premium trim still doesn’t have the automatic transmission as standard, but it does bring fog lights, automatic on/off headlights, sound-insulating windshield, heated front seats, illuminated switchgear/glovebox, cargo area cover, one more USB port, two extra speakers, Wi-Fi, satellite radio, and a CD player.

This trim is eligible for keyless entry/ignition, powered moonroof, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.

Sport trim comes with the most powerful engine and the automatic transmission, plus Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings for the all-wheel-drive system, simulated leather upholstery, and two USB ports for the rear passengers. This model also has blind-spot monitoring and a powered moonroof on its options list, along with an 8-inch touchscreen and over-the-air infotainment updates.

Limited has 18-inch alloy wheels, full LED headlights with automatic high beams, LED fog lights, blind-spot detection, reverse automatic braking, 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather seating surfaces, and the upgraded infotainment system. These features are also in the 2022 Crosstrek Hybrid, along with a pedestrian alert system; remote climate control; and remote battery charging timer, which allows you to schedule charging during off-peak hours.

Both the Limited and the Hybrid qualify for an options bundle that contains a powered moonroof, heated steering wheel, voice-activated navigation, and an 8-speaker/432-watt Harman Kardon audio system.

It might feel like it has all the oomph of a food blender, but the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine in the base and Premium versions of the 2022 Crosstrek develops 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque.

Like virtually every other Subaru engine, this unit’s configuration is a flat-4. Instead of all the cylinders set upright and in a row (the far more common layout), this arrangement consists of two pairs of cylinders opposed horizontally.

It gives Subaru greater flexibility in how it mounts such an engine. It can be low, contributing to a pleasantly near-to-the-road center of gravity. Or higher, optimizing ground clearance — a handy attribute in an SUV.

The standard transmission with this base engine is a 6-speed manual, with an automatic transmission on the options list. In every other version of the 2022 Crosstrek, including the plug-in hybrid, an automatic is included. All-wheel drive is standard across the lineup.

Sport and Limited trims have a 2.5-liter flat-4 generating 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque.

The Crosstrek Hybrid augments its 2.0-liter flat-4 with two electric motors motivated by a lithium-ion battery. Total output is 148 horsepower. Running solely in electric vehicle mode, this vehicle can cover 17 miles. Charging the battery takes two hours on a 240-volt supply, or five hours with 120 volts trickling in.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a way of calculating miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) figures for plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. When running as a regular hybrid (without factoring in the 17 miles of EV range), the Crosstrek Hybrid achieves 35 mpg in combined driving. With those miles taken into account, it’s 90 MPGe.

A full tank of gas (regular is fine) and a full battery allows the Crosstrek Hybrid to travel for 480 miles.

Maximum towing ability is 1,500 pounds. That’s with any drivetrain.

2.0-liter flat-4 (base, Premium)
152 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
145 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/29 mpg (manual), 28/33 mpg (auto)

2.5-liter flat-4 (Sport, Limited)
182 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
176 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 27/34 mpg

2.0-liter flat-4 + two electric motors (Crosstrek Hybrid)
148 combined horsepower
EPA combined fuel economy: 90 MPGe, 35 mpg
Range in EV mode: 17 miles