2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport Review: Just What It Needed

The one factor we’ve ever actually disliked in regards to the Subaru Crosstrek was how torpid it was. The two.0-liter four-cylinder engine merely wasn’t punchy sufficient, even for such a small crossover. However Subaru listened, and this yr the corporate launched a brand new Sport mannequin that provides a punchier 2.5-liter engine, and we actually just like the outcome.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek now produces a stable 182 horsepower – 30 greater than the bottom 2.0-cylinder mannequin – and it does so with a bit extra panache, due to the brand new Sport trim. The Crosstrek Sport dons new wheels, lime inexperienced–accented badges, and a few extra inside cues and exterior hues to make all of it a bit extra attention-grabbing.

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Not like the fussier-looking Forester Sport with its orange accents and putting thrives, Subaru stored the styling of the Crosstrek Sport comparatively easy. Alongside up to date parts discovered all through the vary, like revised headlights and a brand new rear design, the sportier wagon adopts trim-specific 17-inch wheels completed in darkish gray, a shade that additionally makes its solution to the grille, mirror caps, roof rails, and badges. The darkened accents pop much more when matched with our automobile’s Horizon Blue Pearl paint job, and usually, the Crosstrek remains to be very a lot a looker.

The one different indication of the Crosstrek’s new character is a “Sport” badge on the trunklid surrounded by lime inexperienced trim. That is the one place the colour seems on the outside of the car, however these accents do carry over to the cabin, draped atop the steering wheel and shifter, embroidered into the ground mats, and stitched within the seatbacks. The lime inexperienced finishes aren’t offensive to the attention, however they’re daring and plentiful.

In any other case, the within of the Crosstrek Sport appears to be like fairly generic. Black leather-based covers the steering wheel and shift knob, whereas the seats and sprint put on a water-resistant fake leather-based that appears and feels near actual cowhide.

Regardless that the Crosstrek Sport would not have leather-based seating surfaces – solely the range-topping Restricted does – the StarTex materials on the seats and sprint does a superb job of mimicking the actual stuff. It is mushy, supple, and supportive, particularly within the entrance two seats. Driver and entrance passenger must be greater than comfy in these buckets over lengthy stretches. Plus, there’s loads of room within the entrance compartment; the Crosstrek Sport’s 39.8 inches of entrance headroom and 43.1 inches of legroom are among the finest dimensions within the class.

The second row feels lots spacious, too, with greater than sufficient head and legroom in your six-foot-tall writer to take a seat comfortably. That stated, the 36.5 inches of legroom are middling for the category, as are the 38.0 inches of headroom. Plus that dramatically sloped roof does make for a extremely tight rear entryway.

When it comes to trip high quality, the Crosstrek has a suspension that may’t be beat. It is one of many cushiest choices within the class and floats over the pavement – clean and imperfect – with out shrugging. That additionally helps it off the highway; when the going will get powerful, the Crosstrek’s setup soaks up impacts from even the rockiest grime roads.

Commonplace on the Crosstrek Sport is a 6.5-inch touchscreen with the model’s Starlink infotainment system baked in. However our automobile will get the non-obligatory 8.0-inch touchscreen as a part of a $1,600 bundle that additionally contains blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and a sunroof. The display is not big, however the house format is clear, the graphics are crisp, and contact responsiveness is on par with the quickness of a contemporary smartphone. And even on the bottom 6.5-inch display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come normal.

The Sport mannequin additionally will get 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity and a comparatively fundamental multifunction display inside the analog gauge clusters, a Harmon-Kardon premium audio system, and two USB-A ports for entrance passengers. However there are some lacking options that you simply may discover within the alternate options, like wi-fi charging and USB-C ports.

As we talked about, the Crosstrek Sport fixes the one main problem we’ve ever actually had with the mannequin: the engine. Though the identical 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer from final yr carries over on the bottom and Premium fashions, our tester (and the range-topping Restricted) get a punchier 2.5-liter four-cylinder. This engine produces 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet, or 30 hp and 29 lb-ft greater than the bottom 2.0-liter.

Torque is ample down low, giving the Sport mannequin nice verve off the road, whereas there’s nonetheless sufficient juice at freeway speeds for simple overtaking with out having to mash the gasoline pedal (as you may do within the base engine). Paired to that new engine is a repeatedly variable transmission that is one of many higher choices within the phase, though the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue sound much less whiny at pace with their respective CVTs.

One factor that is noticeable whereas driving the Crosstrek Sport on the highway is that this automobile is designed to deal with the more durable stuff, very like its sibling the Outback. The suspension is soft, the steering is mild (and perhaps a contact too obscure), and the brakes really feel – for lack of a greater phrase – mushy. We skilled a few of those self same sensations within the Outback, which excels on the paths. We did not have an opportunity to take the Crosstrek off-road, however we assume it’d really feel very related.

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MSRP $ 23,155

MSRP $ 23,155

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Subaru’s superior EyeSight driver help function comes normal on the Crosstrek Sport (in addition to the Restricted), and contains adaptive cruise management with distance help, lane-keep help with a sway warning, and computerized emergency braking. Our automobile additionally comes normal with high-beam help and will get a $1,600 bundle that features blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, in addition to lane change help.

And all the Subaru Crosstrek’s security methods work as meant. The adaptive cruise management maintains a gradual distance to the automobile in entrance of it, rear cross-traffic alert warns you of oncoming site visitors from a substantial distance, and the automated excessive beams click on on and off seamlessly because the car sees match. The one criticism we now have is that lane-keep help, which supplies off a high-pitched beep once you cross over a lane, may be very delicate.

The Subaru Crosstrek Sport has a gasoline economic system score of 27 miles per gallon metropolis, 34 freeway, and 29 mixed. The bottom 2.0-liter engine with a CVT is barely higher, attaining 28 metropolis, 33 freeway, and 30 mixed. In opposition to front-wheel-drive alternate options, the Subaru’s gasoline economic system is middling. However towards all-wheel-drive choices, the Subaru Sport has among the finest gasoline economic system within the class.

The Crosstrek Sport’s 29 mixed mpg places it on the high of the pack alongside the Kia Seltos. The Honda HR-V and the Hyundai Kona with all-wheel drive each get simply 28 mpg mixed, the Mazda CX-30 Turbo achieves 27 mpg, the Fiat 500X will get 26 mpg, and the Ford EcoSport and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport obtain simply 25 mpg mixed.

Probably the most reasonably priced Subaru Crosstrek is the bottom mannequin, which prices $22,245. However the entry level of the Crosstrek Sport with the punchier engine is $26,495. In comparison with its nearest rivals with non-obligatory turbocharged items, the Crosstrek Sport is among the pricier choices of the bunch; the turbocharged Jeep Renegade prices $29,145, the Kia Seltos Turbo prices $25,490, and the boosted Hyundai Kona prices $26,100. Solely the Mazda CX-30 Turbo is costlier, asking $29,900 to start out.

However the Crosstrek Sport is well-equipped with seven no-cost exterior colours – together with the good-looking Horizon Blue Pearl examined right here – and normal Eyesight lively security. The lone possibility is a $1,600 bundle that provides a moonroof, blind-spot detection, and the bigger infotainment display. With that (plus dealing with and vacation spot), our automobile prices $29,145.