16 photos
The Crosstrek is one of our favorite Subarus. Essentially, it’s a baby version of the Outback and offers excellent value for a new car. If there’s one thing to complain about, it’s that it is a little underpowered. But Subaru has resolved that with the new 2021 Crosstrek Sport unveiled today.
Here’s what you need to know.
The engine has more power
As we expected, the Crosstrek Sport gets the 2.5-liter flat-four engine that Subaru uses as a base engine for the Outback, Legacy, and Forester. As in those vehicles, the motor puts out 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft. That’s a 30-horsepower bump over the base engine.
It won’t have a stick shift
Subaru will offer the Crosstrek Sport with the CVT only. It will have an eight-speed manual mode with paddle shifters. You can fit a Crosstrek with a six-speed manual, but only the Base and Premium trims with the smaller engine.
You don’t lose much efficiency
The EPA rates the Crosstrek Sport for 27 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. It’s only one mpg less efficient than the base model with the CVT. It’s one mpg more efficient than that base model on the highway.
It has a fancier X-Mode
The Crosstrek Sport has a special dual-function version of Subaru’s X-Mode for off-roading. It has snow/dirt and deep snow/mud modes along with hill descent control.
It’s decked out in gunmetal and yellow stitching
The Crosstrek Sport will get unique wheel arch moldings and 17-inch alloy wheels with a dark grey finish. It will also have a gunmetal grille, side mirrors, and badges. The interior will have StarTex upholstery and yellow stitching.
It’s coming next year, pricing TBD
Subaru says the Crosstrek will arrive in late Summer for the 2021 model year. Subaru has not announced the pricing.
