Flash Drive

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport

November 15, 2020 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport SUV

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport is a handsome compact SUV with short overhangs for agile off-road driving.

Engine:2.5-liter Boxer 4-cylinder, 182 horsepower, 176 lb-ft torque

Transmission: CVT automatic, all-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 27-mpg city, 34-mpg highway, 29-mpg combined

Base Price: $26,495

As Tested: $29,145

Performance:

Strong acceleration, although not WRX strong

Displacement now 2.5-L from previous model 2.0-L

Horsepower up 30-hp, torque up 31-lb-ft

Good fuel economy—our best was 31.4-mpg combined

Excellent size for city commuter wars

Very agile on off-road dirt and/or snow

Pleasant, smooth highway ride

Pretty athletic on curvy roads

CVT has 8-speed manual shift mode paddle shifters

X-mode and hill descent

Comfort:

Stretch-out driver and front passenger legroom

Front seat room and comfort are excellent.

Heated front seats (2 temps)

Medium thick, nicely contoured steering wheel

Plentiful auxiliary controls clearly marked

Ample rear seat room for adults

An adult can fit in middle position if they straddle tall floor hump

Center cushion is softer, more comfortable than most

Utility:

Rear hatch opens high for tall people

Rear seat space is ample for three adults. The middle position is quite comfy.

55.3 cu. ft cargo space, 20.8 cu. ft. behind seats

Small lift-over (approx 3-inches)

Flat cargo floor

Split rear seats fold flat

Slight height difference between seats and cargo deck

Medium front and rear door bins

Deep, but small console bin

Medium size locking glovebox

One vinyl seatback pouch

The Crosstrek Sport rear hatch opens very high. Cargo space is ample.

WOW Factors:

Very good infotainment screen and controls

Compact outside, roomy inside

Great winter driving vehicle

Good safety features

Whines:

Not crazy about the wheel arch cladding

Bottom Line:

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport is

The Crosstrek Sport dash layout and controls are excellent as is the leather steering wheel with lots of auxiliary controls.

noticeably improved from the already excellent 2020 iteration. More horsepower and torque are the biggest changes, but styling has also been tweaked. The interior is roomy and functionally versatile. Subaru’s legendary all-wheel-drive handles daily and heavy-duty conditions equally well. The Crosstrek drives like a car, but is off-road tough when it needs to be. The Subaru Crosstrek Sport is a sensible SUV.