Should You Buy a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

Pricing for the Crosstrek starts at $23,795 in Canada, $22,245 in the US.
The Crosstrek has taken on a life of its own and has become a best-seller for Subaru.
It is a clear variation of the crossover theme.

Trends and fashion are fickle things. When they say the “clothe makes the man”, they are obviously referring to the right clothes. If you strip a Crosstrek down, you will be left with an Impreza 5-door. On its own, the Impreza is a fine automobile however with the cladding and increased ride height, the Subaru Crosstrek is a legend.

While mechanically, the Subaru Crosstrek is a Subaru Impreza hatchback, the former is overflowing with personality. And Subaru’s made it its mission to exploit the Crosstrek’s full potential, much like they did with the Outback.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Outdoor | Photo: Matt St-Pierre

For the 2021 model year, Subaru’s upped the ante with a new Outdoor trim with the long-awaited 2.5-litre engine and, for all, more advanced safety features. Among small SUVs and crossovers with AWD, the Crosstrek faces off against the Mazda CX-30, the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Seltos, Honda HR-V, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and a few others but none, or nearly, are as playful or capable as the Subaru.

Are you hesitating or unsure about the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek? Let’s take a few moments together and see if you should, or not, buy one.

Why you should buy a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek:

The arrival of the 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine may have solved the Crosstrek’s only real weakness.
AWD is standard on all models including the base $23,795 Convenience trim.
The Crosstrek’s styling is endearing and downright cool.
The new Outdoor trim features unique bumpers, full dark-grey wheels, oversized wheel flares, and a few unique interior touches – it looks great.
Three versions are offered with a manual transmission!
Subaru’s Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is beyond tolerable.

This car has actual off-road capabilities thanks to the available X-MODE with Hill Descent Control and SI-Drive.

It’s relatively spacious for a tall compact hatchback.
With its included long-travel suspension, it’s actually quite fun to drive.

Why you should not buy a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek:

For the moment, the 2.5-litre is only available with the $29,995 Outdoor trim.
The standard 2.0-litre engine is borderline adequate for the job.
Trunk space lacks behind most of the small SUVs.

Conclusion:

There are in fact no crucial reasons to avoid the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. In fact, it’s one of our favorite small cars. For its drivability, comfort, and styling, it’s easily in our top three.

Now that the Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon 4MOTION has left us, it has once again become a rare “car” to be available with AWD. The only other offering in the Mazda3 and while we’re also fans of the Mazda, for most family-related duties, the Subaru comes out on top.

The fact is then that the Subaru Crosstrek is all but unchallenged. If the desire is to drive an SUV, then this might not be the car for you despite its taller driving position. For those who want something special, that is youthful and smart, the Crosstrek is exactly what you’re looking for. And the Outdoor is certainly the most appealing thanks in large part to the engine.