2021 Subaru Crosstrek: Choosing the Right Trim

Think of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek as a 5-door Impreza given the Outback treatment. With 8.7-inches of ground clearance and permanent all-wheel drive, it makes a fantastic year-round vehicle or a weekend warrior ready to tackle light off-road excursions.

With four trims from which to choose, your Crosstrek can range from basic to fully-loaded. Still, regardless of which you choose, they all come with standard all-wheel drive, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and, on automatic-equipped models, Subaru’s excellent EyeSight driver-assist system. In its class, the Crosstrek is the only small AWD crossover to offer a manual transmission option. Oddly, none of the trims, even the top-line Limited, provide adjustable lumbar support.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek (starting at $22,245)

The base Crosstrek provides everything Subaru buyers most desire: standard all-wheel drive, plenty of ground clearance, good fuel economy, and excellent safety scores. The base trim is one of two that offer a manual transmission. Given the little 2.0-liter engine’s limited power, the manual is a great way to make the most out of it. Just keep in mind that choosing to row your own gears means giving up the EyeSight driver-assist system and X-Mode.

If you’re looking for more power, you’ll want to move to the Sport or Limited trims, which have a larger 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. There is also a plug-in hybrid Crosstrek for those prioritizing efficiency.

Given its sub-$23,00 price tag, the base Crosstrek is surprisingly well equipped. These days, features like power windows and door locks are expected in most entry-level cars, but power mirrors, cruise control, and automatic climate control? They’re all part of the Crosstrek’s standard equipment list. Also standard is a 4-speaker audio system with a 6.5-inch display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, a single USB port, and Bluetooth hands-free connectivity.

Music lovers can choose to upgrade the audio with a dealer-installed Rockford Fosgate speaker/amp kit that sells for around $700 plus installation.

The Crosstrek’s seats are covered in durable cloth, with a manually height-adjustable driver’s seat. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes, and the rear hatch includes a wiper/washer combo.

Go with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and the base Crosstrek also gets the EyeSight driver-assist system that includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The Crosstrek’s CVT also brings Subaru’s X-Mode and Si-Drive engine management system that allows for performance or economy settings.

Figuring an out-the-door price tag of $24,000 with 3% financing over 60 months and no money down, a base Crosstrek would carry a monthly payment of about $431.  Find a Subaru Crosstrek for sale

2021 Subaru Crosstrek includes:

• Automatic Climate Control – allows you to set and maintain the desired temperature inside the vehicle automatically.
• X-Mode – Standard when ordered with the CVT automatic, X-Mode can help gain traction in a low-speed situation where more grip is needed.
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – negates the need for a pricey navigation system or satellite radio upgrade by allowing both to be routed through a smartphone.
• Standard all-wheel-drive – full-time all-wheel drive is always active, even when driving on dry pavement or at higher speeds.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Premium ($23,295)

At about $1,000 over the base Crosstrek, the Premium is what we would consider the value leader. For those who live in cold climates, the standard heated front seats, windshield wiper de-icer, and heated side mirrors alone are worth the added cost.

Along with more contrast courtesy of orange seat stitching, the Premium trim brings fog lights, a rear cargo cover, body-colored side mirrors, auto on/off headlights, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Little touches you might not notice until nightfall include illumination around the ignition key cylinder, in the glove box, and at all four power window switches.

Also significant is an upgrade to the Starlink multimedia system, which gains two additional speakers (door tweeters), dual USB ports, a CD player, SiriusXM, and the ability to have a Wi-Fi hotspot (requires subscription).

Like the base model, you can order the Premium with a manual transmission. Again, going with the CVT brings the EyeSight suite of driver assists and opens the door to more options.

Upgrades for the Premium trim include a power moonroof, push-button start with keyless access, a power driver’s seat plus rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring.

Assuming the same 60-month loan at 3% financing we used for the base trim, a Premium would add about $18 to your monthly payment. Find a Subaru Crosstrek Premium for sale

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Premium includes:

• Cold Weather Package – adds heated fronts seats, heated side mirrors, and windshield de-icer.
• Fog lights – help illuminate the road when fog or rain makes it difficult to see painted line markers on the highway.
• Auto on/off headlights – never worry about leaving your lights on after leaving the car or turning them on at dusk. The Premium trim does it for you.
• Upgraded audio – the Premium’s audio includes six speakers, a CD player, Sirius satellite radio ability, plus a Wi-Fi hot spot capability and HD Radio.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport ($26,495)

The Sport’s most noticeable difference is its larger, 182-horsepower 2.5-liter engine. This trim is best suited for those who plan to take their Crosstrek off-road. For this reason, the larger engine, standard CVT with Dual-mode X-Mode, and EyeSight driver assists make the added $3,200 well worth the price.

The Sport gains a different design for its 17-inch wheels and larger, asymmetrical wheel-arch moldings. It also features a greater roster of standard equipment, such as a push-button start with a proximity key, a 4-wheel tire-pressure monitoring system, and an LED light built into the rear liftgate.

Inside, the Sport gets a synthetic leather seat covering called StarTex. The water-resistant 2-tone gray upholstery is set off by bright yellow stitching, a color mimicked in the Sport’s interior trim pieces and steering wheel.

With its standard CVT comes Subaru’s Dual-mode X-Mode. This system is a step above the standard X-Mode found on the Premium and Limited trims, adding a second mode for dealing with deep snow or mud.

Options for the Sport include a larger 8.0-inch Starlink infotainment system, a power sunroof, and blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert.

With destination, a typical Sport will sticker for around $27,500, making the monthly payment around $500 month, about $50 more each month than a Crosstrek Premium. Find a Subaru Crosstrek Sport for sale

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport includes:

• 2.5-liter engine – With 182 hp, this engine gives the Crosstrek the power it needs to keep up with traffic, as well as a growing list of competitors.
• Dual-mode X-Mode – In addition to Snow/Dirt modes, the Dual-mode X-Mode also includes a setting for Deep Snow and Mud, providing more traction in both situations.
• StarTex upholstery – It not only looks great but is more durable than leather, water-resistant, and easy to clean.
• EyeSight Driver Assist – Includes several safety systems such as collision warning and avoidance, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Limited ($27,995)

The Limited is the most luxurious model in the Crosstrek fleet, but compared to some competitors falls a bit short in the area of premium accommodations for the money.

For example, leather seating is standard, as is a 6-way power driver’s seat, but there is no lumbar support for the driver or passenger seat, not even a manual adjustment. Navigation, a power moonroof, and an excellent-sounding Harman/Kardon audio system are extra-cost upgrades. The improved Dual-mode X-Mode found on the Sport is not included on the Limited.

What does come with the Limited is the leather mentioned above, an 8.0-inch Starlink infotainment system, automatic high-beam headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and fog lights, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking.

With destination fees, you can expect the Crosstrek Limited to go out the door around $29,000. Using our 60-month loan at 3% formula, a Limited trim would add about $20 to the monthly payment over the Sport, or about $520 a month.  Find a Subaru Crosstrek Limited for sale

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Limited includes:

• Leather seating – luxurious, comfortable, and easy to clean, leather seating is a nice upgrade to the standard cloth.
• High-beam assist – The system detects oncoming headlights and automatically dims or brightens depending on your lighting needs.
• Reverse automatic braking – detects if objects behind the vehicle are in danger of causing a collision and automatically activates the brakes.
• Blind-spot detection with lane-change alert – monitors the car’s blind spots and warns the driver when a vehicle enters the field or is too close when signaling a lane change.