2021 Subaru Crosstrek Review: Does Sport trim bring more speed? | CarGurus

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek now offers a more powerful sport trim. Is it enough to make the Crosstrek exciting?
Shop for the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek on CarGurus: cargur.us/DXdKd
The Subaru Crosstrek has built its reputation on small size and big capability. This go-anywhere subcompact crossover now has a more powerful engine in its new "Sport" trim. Cliff Atyieh tests it to see just how sporty the new Crosstrek can be.
For even more information on the 2021 Crosstrek, read Stephen Edelstein's written review on CarGurus: cargur.us/DXdJs
Video review: Clifford Atiyeh
Cinematography: www.VennCreativeMedia.com
Written review: Stephen Edelstein
Subscribe to the CarGurus Channel: / cargurus
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0:00 Introducing the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek
0:45 The New Sport Trim
2:07 Ground Clearance & Capability
2:30 Five Things to Know
3:08 The Simplicity of the Crosstrek
4:46 Performance and Engine Details
5:22 Driving Impressions
6:30 Handling Feel
7:54 The X-Mode Driving System
8:20 Fuel Economy
8:49 Safety Technology and EyeSight
9:44 Infotainment
10:12 Pricing Details
10:39 Final Thoughts on the Crosstrek

[@josephreyes7610]

I’m so confused as to if he likes it or not. And ohhhhh, complaint about buttons and toggle switches from 2010. Guess what buddy, they work just fine. Beats searching for everything in a touch screen

[@northrollingacres]

They do work fine! They just look bad!

[@VendetaBrown]

This aged well.

[@edsmith9855]

I live in Minnesota, and we have a lot of snow and heavy rain. Even in those conditions, it is very, very rare for the eyesight system to quit working, and as others have said, built up snow/ice can also defeat radar systems. Dense fog would probably be the only condition where radar cruise would clearly be better than eyesight.

[@GOD999MODE]

Great presentation and review man. I'm planning on getting the 2022 Xtrek Sport. Love the utility, rugged look, and reliability.

[@JustAnotherPersonHere]

I watched while researching a 2022 Sport. I love your presentation style; gentle, to the point, practical...oh, and subtle but wonderful humor. Great review, thank you!

[@ktsevens]

That Metallic Blue is the best color!

[@whidbeyhiker4364]

If you can get into and out of the car comfortably then it's one hell of a car. A joy to drive. I needed a bit more accessibility and I also wanted to be able to put a bike in the back when needed so I chose the forester.

[@deinbleiz]

Nice review. Keep it up.

[@LukeAMcDowell]

Good review and great sense of humor.

[@MrJustyjive]

I'm really looking forward to get mine ordered.

[@niuhuskieguy]

I've seen radars on modern cars defeated by a very thin layer of snow and ice. I don't think radar is the be all end all.

[@6193drizzle]

Great Review. This car is a set of rear vents and a USB port away from being perfect 👍🏻

[@slavanazaria5593]

And dual zone climate!

[@drunksquirrel2051]

Buy an Outback then

[@buildmorefarms1007]

and a manual

[@neilfoster9517]

I will miss my outback premier 3.6R but it is a gas guzzler so outback here we come.

[@chuckwalla2967]

Great objective review.

[@sumatralex250]

A well-considered cabin volume and size itself to steer. This seems to fit those who like outdoor activities. Performance sits in hindsight.

[@halleycomm]

Like everything in life, there is good and not so good. When considering a car purchase, it is especially important to know the pluses and minuses in a vehicle. For all the reasons I want an SUV, the Subaru meets my needs. Although I would like a bigger engine for power, more modern controls and more interior comforts, the good features outweigh the could be better ones. I like someone who tells both sides of the story. He gave you the facts, now you decide what works for you. Personally this review revealed a lot which will help guide me in making a final decision. Great, informative video. Thanks, Clifford and Mike!

[@MultiFabar]

What did you end up going with? I can’t decide between VW Taos, Mazda CX-5, and this Crosstrek.

[@TM-uy4jg]

Rear USB ports and vents are all it’s missing

[@buildmorefarms1007]

And a manual transmission!

[@takuyakimura9]

@@buildmorefarms1007 and a steam engine with attached coal cartridge while you’re at it.

[@jonhayes6673]

There seems to be a little divot on the front armrest base (underneath the lid) which seems to be for charging cables plugged into the USB ports and charger port, so that back seat passengers with longer charging cables might still be able to charge and use their units at the same time. Will have to explore that little divot further...

[@danielfair4675]

@@jonhayes6673 bingo.

[@mikeystravels9720]

Just watched this review and found you to be sarcastic about the well proven old fashioned knobs leavers and buttons inside. Then go and try the 11 inch iPad that is stuck in most new cars these days. They are distracting and can be hard to find ‘stuff’. Give me this format on these Crosstreks any day. Tried true and trusted. I do find your road test handling put down interesting.. I am only at the road test stage in my purchase , but did not find that. I found the noise level in the 23 Crosstrek a lot quieter than yours. And a good turn of power. You did not manage to put me off purchasing my 23 Crosstrek.

[@madlucio70]

I really loved my cool grey kaki 2021 Crosstrek Outdoor, and I am truly loving my 2023 Crosstrek PHEV these days. Crosstreks are simply fantastic vehicles! I can carry all of my tools, photo equipment inside and my snowboards, kayaks, and extra luggage on top. I have taken both my Crosstreks on long trips in comfort with 5 people, into the mountains, off road, through blinding snow storms, thunderstorms, ice storms, and everything in between without issue.

[@bobjones2580]

All good except for the CVT transmission

[@Penelope416]

That is really the only thing that bothers me about the Crosstrek. Like the a Honda HRV, we would have to do a transmission fluid change on average, every 40k miles. Plus these are fairly new transmissions so we still don't know how reliable they are.

[@RJKK]

Wow, ground clearance more than Tahoe n Ridgeline... doesn't look that way at all..certainly a Dark Horse👍

[@aest2and114]

I’d be great if the new engine could be had with a manual transmission.

[@toetz4491]

Ikr? What were they thinking ..

[@Tonycrossfit]

I love subarus! I’ve had two forester and what I liked most was the automatic transmission not a CVT. Subaru should go back to a regular transmission. For 2021 Subaru should have put a six speed transmission or a DCT. I was waiting for the 2021 crosstrek but when I heard it had a CVT I decided to go HYBRID and went with a 2021 Hyundai IONIQ with a DCT transmission. The IONIQ gives great gas mileage (54 mpg) city and highway. If Subaru decides to go with DCT or Six Speed regular transmission NOT a CVT then I would definitely go back to Subaru.

[@aaronmajchen982]

I worked on a Sikorsky MH60R platform in the Navy, absolute nightmare to maintain.

[@Thelby1]

I Love my 2021 Crosstrek Sport! Already my most Beloved vehicle!

[@MultiFabar]

Did you get it with the sunroof? Also, does the lack of more USB’s and back vents bother you at all?

[@Thelby1]

@@MultiFabar Yes, I have the Moon Roof and No, it does not bother me about the USB Ports or Rear Vents!

[@MultiFabar]

@@Thelby1 thanks for the reply

[@gobear83]

Maybe you could close your eyes and wish the seat heaters on and off... it’s a switch , simple and effective.

[@Memetologist]

This guy is getting mad over a fucking button, lmfao. I dont get it. It's a car not a fucking Keyboard

[@bosse641]

It looks good. The SUV I would like to own. If only it could be had with stick combined with the big engine. What a fun car it would be.

[@ezekielmcclure5673]

Put those with some LED head & taillights and you got the perfect spec Crosstrek

[@danielunverzagt6072]

@@ezekielmcclure5673 The sport trim with a 6 speed manual trans would be perfect....Oh yeah, rear vents and USB and I would drive one for the rest of my life

[@user-wl9cn5kw1e]

Подлокотник водителя правильной формы. И это хорошо. Конечно, обогрев заднего дивана то же бы не помешал. The driver's armrest is of the correct shape. And this is good. Of course, heating the back sofa would also be useful.

[@antouab221]

Two main factors made me decide on a purchase of a brand new 2021 Crosstrek: 1. Manual Transmission (on the base models) 2. Higher ground clearance than the competition.

[@wilshirewarrior2783]

Wait…I did not know I had to go “birding” if I buy one of these…and I dont have a dog either.

[@Dankcatvacs]

i think you mean energizer.... keeps going and going...

[@northrollingacres]

Right on

[@dans8357]

I had a Subaru Forester XT 2.5L turbo . It blew up at 84k miles. I took care of that vehicle. I like Subaru but no turbo!

[@debbiezee9226]

Who the hell are you, Mario Andretti? This vehicle definitely has plenty of speed. I think they're great cars!!!

[@Sacto1654]

On thing I'd like to see on the 2022 Crosstrek coming late in 2021 is the CB18 turbocharged engine. It has almost the same horsepower as the 2.5-liter engine on the higher-end Crosstrek models but with a much higher torque peak of 221 lb-ft (300 kN), which would make it a much better car in most driving situations.

[@dans8357]

2.5 L turbo Subaru engines don't last. My Subaru Forester XT blew up at 84k miles. Hard pass on the turbo. The 2.5L is just fine.

[@Sacto1654]

@@dans8357 The CB18 is actually a new engine block design, not related to the 2.5-liter engines you mentioned.

[@franimal007]

Auto start stop does nothing but ware out starters alternators batteries.

[@danielfair4675]

Use just 1 finger of either hand and you can fix that massive, gargantuan setback. Lol

[@franimal007]

@@danielfair4675 Yes, I do what a pain in the finger....My Macan once you push the button, it stays running, FOREVER, that is how it should work!

[@danielfair4675]

@@franimal007 and how much of a price difference is there between the 2? (I already know, btw). For less than $100 you can buy & install a bypass for that start/stop button. And even if you add $100 to your Crosstrek purchase price, I'll go out on a limb and bet whatever you'd like, you won't get a same year Macan for less.

[@franimal007]

@@danielfair4675 I would not expect that, do you? I you could buy a Macan for a similar price to a Subaru then only a fool would buy the Subaru.

[@paulcwyuen]

The Crosstrek is a great vehicle for outdoor activities and country road, but as a commuter car I wouild choose others instead.

[@GOD999MODE]

Why is that?

[@paulcwyuen]

@@GOD999MODE For better fuel economy, better interior design and center console, and less money.

[@sxynightelf]

@@paulcwyuen so basically a Ford? 🤣🤣🤣

[@danielfair4675]

@@paulcwyuen and that brand/model would be ?? Won't happen

[@jj5515]

I heard the Crosstrek quality isn't the greatest but the Forester and Outback is top notch. Can anyone attest to this?

[@Joeshmoshoots]

Can’t love my crosstrek have had the sport for about 9 months super clean and seemless

[@hellopira1]

How’s the wind noise on highways?

[@northrollingacres]

It's average among non-luxury compact crossovers. The Mazda CX-30 to my ears is among the quietest.

[@bikebudha01]

I don't get it. Subaru makes the STI... sooooooo... why the hell don't they offer the big engine with a stick?????

[@velavanlaack9134]

Subaru ought to get 230hp at min for Impreza and Crosstrek, otherwise, it'll just feel the car got neutered.

[@jazzbeau507]

Are you related to previous Governor of Oregon, Governor Atiyeh? He was first generation American I think, and made it to Governor and I think he was Republican and was elected in Oregon!

[@northrollingacres]

Yes, you are correct! He is my relative. Check out the Atiyeh International Terminal at PDX next time you visit Portland.

[@jazzbeau507]

@@northrollingacres Are your videos featured there?

[@northrollingacres]

@@jazzbeau507 I am not so famous as Victor :)

[@Memetologist]

The last Republican governor in Oregon :(

[@ohcanadaeh]

Get a Mazda CX30 2.5 liter engine or 2.5 liter turbo engine instead.

[@user-wl9cn5kw1e]

Okay)) But why give them your money? Buy an engine from Caterpillar, attach 4 wheels to it and roll, what's the problem? O`k)) Но зачем отдавать им свои деньги? Купите двигатель от Катерпиллера, приделайте к нему 4 колеса и катайтесь, в чем проблема?

[@edsmith9855]

CX30 and the 2.5L Crosstrek are very close in horsepower, torque, and performance. Being normally aspirated, both also lack the low end torque of a well tuned turbo. The Mazda 2.5L turbo is in another league, but it starts at 30k. The CX30 handles better and has a nicer interior, while the Crosstrek rides better, has a more robust AWD system and is more at home off road. I also think the tester is being exceptionally over critical of the performance. Even the much criticized 2.0 L is more than adequate for normal driving.

[@SG-sz5vh]

No full led headlamps?! Inexcusable! It is the 21st century!

[@miguelircontar]

That’s what I said

[@drunksquirrel2051]

Then buy the Limited trim

[@sxynightelf]

I can't stand those led lamps! Too bright

[@RallyesportsOG]

Nah

[@bobjones2580]

I like Subaru, but get the Mazda CX30 instead.

[@danielfair4675]

No, junk

[@sebastianvirga1015]

Sounds like a biased review

[@East17A]

I DON'T LIKE THAT CVT SUBARU !!! THAT'S WHY I'M AVOIDING YOUR USED LOT VHECLES !! ITS NO JUST ONLY ME MORE PEOPLE AWARE OF THAT CVT AS WELL

[@danielfair4675]

Lol, I think your confused