Best Subaru Crosstrek Years to Buy Used

Used Subaru Crosstrek Quick Facts

• From its inception in 2013, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named every Subaru Crosstrek to its Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ lists.
• The Subaru Crosstrek is one of the best SUVs for retaining its value.
• Even with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), the Crosstrek delivers some of the highest mpg in its segment.

A taller take on the Impreza hatchback, Subaru launched the 5-passenger Crosstrek for the 2013 model year. It wasn’t (and still isn’t) a hardcore off-roading machine; however, it holds its own in foul weather and less-rigorous adventures when the pavement ends. Often compared to the Outback, the Crosstrek is every bit as difficult to pigeonhole as its older sibling. A wagon, an SUV, a hatchback? We don’t think it much matters. Despite its history of rather mundane drivetrains, simply climbing aboard makes us smile. Some of us have socks dating farther back than the Crosstrek lineage; however, Subaru has moved a passel of them out the showroom door over its short history. Let’s see if we can help find exactly the one for you.

• Best Subaru Crosstrek Model Years
• Which Subaru Crosstrek Should You Buy?
• What You Need to Know about the Subaru Crosstrek
• Is the Subaru Crosstrek Reliable?
• Should You Buy a Used Subaru Crosstrek?
• Which Used Subaru Crosstrek Would We Buy?

Best Subaru Crosstrek Model Years

Generally, you can’t go wrong with buying a used Subaru Crosstrek. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named every Subaru Crosstrek from 2013-2024 to its Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ lists. Here’s the breakdown of how we would select which model years to buy when digging deeper.

• First Generation (2013-2017): We think your best bet is the 2017 edition. It scored the highest in reliability and customer satisfaction. This generation was relatively untouched by recalls. Most model years had only one and 2014 had zero recalls. Other information for the earliest years up to and including the 2015 model year is fairly sketchy.
• Second Generation (2018-2023): Second-gen models picked up more recalls than the first generation. Recalls don’t always indicate a big problem because carmakers fix or replace recalled components for free. You just must ensure that the specific Crosstrek you are considering doesn’t have any outstanding (unresolved) recalls. With that said, we would feel comfortable recommending the 2020, 2021, and 2023 model years as among the best.
• Third Generation (2024): Search for models built after February 2024, when the Subaru made modifications to rear seatbelts to improve occupant protection in moderate overlap frontal crashes. Typically, you can find information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured on a label near or on the driver’s door.

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Which Subaru Crosstrek Should You Buy?

Just entering its third generation in 2024, picking the right used Crosstrek doesn’t confuse the issue with an overwhelming number of model years. In fact, we argue that narrowing down your picks to just the right one shouldn’t be at all taxing. Beginning with the current model, here’s detailed information for the Crosstrek by generation.

Third Generation (2024- )

Just by looking, it’s difficult to imagine that the Crosstrek’s entire sheet metal wrapper is new, which is another way of saying the styling update is evolutionary. Subaru stiffened the chassis and softened the suspension, resulting in a quieter, more comfy ride. Crosstrek carried over its two 4-cylinder engines and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) but dumped the manual transmission. Subaru released the 2024 Crosstrek minus the plug-in hybrid (PHEV); however, there still may be one on the way for this generation. Subaru’s EyeSight bundle of advanced safety tech now has a wider view; think of it as peripheral vision that picks up pedestrians, other vehicles, and bikes sooner. All trims provide wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Last but not least, Subaru’s Wilderness trim has now joined the Crosstrek grade lineup. The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

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What to Know About the Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Trim

As with other Subaru models, the Crosstrek’s Wilderness grade is the most off-road capable of Crosstrek’s trims. It still doesn’t allow for intense off-road adventure. However, this trim raises the ground clearance from 8.7 inches to 9.3 inches while adding all-terrain tires, water-resistant upholstery, and an off-road-tuned suspension.

Second Generation (2018-2023)

Subaru rolled out a fully redesigned Crosstrek on an all-new platform promising greater safety and higher refinement for 2018. Although its exterior sports more definition and some additional aggressiveness, it is still clearly a Crosstrek. Subaru carried over its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine (now making 152 horsepower) along with its available CVT; however, a 6-speed manual transmission replaced the first gen’s 5-speed. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the first two model-year Crosstreks in this generation to its Top Safety Pick+ list. The notable changes and improvements during this generation:

• 2019 — Subaru’s first-ever plug-in hybrid with 17 miles of electric-only range joined the Crosstrek lineup.
• 2020—Subaru’s EyeSight bundle of advanced safety tech, including lane-keeping assist, became standard across all CVT-equipped models. Automatic climate control was also included as standard on all trims.
• 2021 — A mild refresh included an updated grille. All CVT models provided adaptive cruise control. Upper trims got a new 182-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine.
• 2022-2023 — No significant changes or improvements.

See 2018 to 2023 Subaru Crosstrek models for sale near you.

First Generation (2013-2017)

With the Subaru Outback’s growth spurt in its 2010 redesign, the carmaker created room for the Crosstrek, a smaller SUV in its lineup. Three years later, the compact Crosstrek arrived in North American showrooms. Originally, its official nameplate was XV Crosstrek, which stands for “Crossover Vehicle.” Subaru dropped the XV with the 2016 refresh. By this time, Subaru captured lightning in a bottle. The Crosstrek simply followed Subaru’s established formula of attaching its trademark symmetrical all-wheel drive to an otherwise affordable, fuel-efficient vehicle. The Crosstrek was a shocking success. Separated into two trim levels, the 2013 model used a single 148-hp 2.0-liter engine to power all the wheels via a standard 5-speed manual gearbox or an available CVT. The significant changes and improvements during this generation include:

• 2014 — A hybrid (HEV) model with an additional 12 hp and even better fuel economy.
• 2015 — The introduction of the more affordable 2.0i base trim and EyeSight becomes available.
• 2016 — A modest refresh that included the latest Starlink infotainment interface and the demise of XV as part of the Crosstrek name.
• 2017 — Subaru dropped the hybrid model.

See 2013 to 2017 Subaru Crosstrek models for sale near you.

What You Need to Know about the Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek does an admirable job of retaining its value. Maintaining its value speaks volumes about reliability and owner satisfaction. We discuss fuel economy below.

What Is the Subaru Crosstrek MPG?

We’ve created an easy-to-read chart listing Crosstrek MPG by model year, engine, and transmission. The MPG is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) estimated combined (mixed city-and-highway) driving.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek Reliable?

Yes, generally the Crosstrek holds up well; however, to be clear, how an owner treats and maintains a vehicle has a lot to do with its long-term reliability. Therefore, we urge anyone considering the purchase of a used car to obtain its vehicle history report (VHR) from a provider like AutoCheck or Carfax. Here’s a rundown of our picks for the Crosstrek’s years to avoid.

Which are the Subaru Crosstrek Model Years to Avoid?

• First Generation (2013-2017): Because of the shortage of information on the first three years of this generation, we would be extra vigilant in studying a VHR for any model considered from that timeframe. Otherwise, we think this generation is okay.
• Second Generation (2018-2023): We don’t think there is a true clunker in this generation. Reliability and owner satisfaction are both above average.
• Third Generation (2024): Too soon to tell.

Should You Buy a Used Subaru Crosstrek?

We certainly wouldn’t shy away from picking up a Crosstrek on the used market. The older the model, the greater the likelihood of repair expenses. However, up and down the line, the Crosstrek holds up better than the average used compact SUV.

Can You Go Off-Roading in a Subaru Crosstrek?

Our knee-jerk answer is yes. Although Subaru doesn’t engineer any of its vehicles for intense off-roading like rock crawling, the Crosstrek does reasonably well on snow and dirt. In other words, the Crosstrek will get you to the trailhead for a hiking or biking adventure. Your best bet for heading off pavement in a Crosstrek is a third-gen model with the Wilderness trim. This is the grade Subaru has earmarked for achieving the limits of the Crosstrek’s off-road capability. It still can’t master wickedly serious terrain but it will take you deeper into the outback than other Crosstrek versions.

Which Used Subaru Crosstrek Would We Buy?

If saving some cash was our goal, we’d choose the 2017 model year. Otherwise, we’d stick with the 2020, 2021, or 2023 model years.

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