All-New Subaru Crosstrek Limited - First Look And Who Should Buy It

The first 2021 Subaru Crosstrek models are arriving at retailers now. Check out the first look as we drive the more powerful Crosstrek Limited trim.

You asked for a Subaru Crosstrek with more power. The automaker responded with a new 2021 Crosstrek Sport and Limited with a 2.5-liter direct-injection four-cylinder Boxer engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft torque. This week we drove the top-of-the-lineup Limited trim.

What’s the price of the 2021 Crosstrek Limited?

The MSRP of the Limited is $27,995, and this tester came with the Starlink package with navigation and the Harmon/Kardon premium audio and power moonroof ($2,395). It also included the optional Popular Package ($1,164) with mirror compass, rear bumper cover, all-weather floor mats, rear seatback protector, splash guards, and auto-dimming mirrors. Total MSRP including destination and delivery: $32,604.

Inside, the Limited offers an extra comfort level and comes with additional features like leather seats, 6-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated seats, push-button start, heated mirrors, LED headlights, and new steering responsive headlights.

How does the price compare with the other trims?

The 2021 Crosstrek subcompact SUV comes in five trim levels for customers and gets a small price increase. The base trim is priced from $23,295, Premium ($24,345), all-new Sport ($27,545), Limited ($29,045). Prices include destination and delivery ($1,050).

Does the 2021 Crosstrek have enough power?

We power the Limited up and headed west on I-70 out of Denver. The new 2.5-liter Boxer engine delivered more power than expected as we pushed the small SUV hard, and it responded with a burst of power. The Crosstrek climbed effortlessly and had even more power to spare if I hadn’t backed off the gas pedal. I was impressed with the added horsepower and torque.

The 2021 Crosstrek with the 2.5-liter engine now has enough power to carry four passengers, cargo, and mountain bikes on a top carrier up a steep mountain pass.

The cabin is quiet even under full power, and the Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) automatic made gear changes quickly as it simulates a traditional automatic transmission. It features an 8-speed manual mode with paddle shifters for passing and entering the highway when you need a quick burst of power. We think the recently upgraded Subaru CVT is now one of the best.

Why should I buy the Limited trim?

Subaru built the Limited trim for customers with active lifestyles who want a bit more comfort. You can still use the small SUV for camping trips, carrying a couple of mountain bikes on the back and a cargo carrier on top. The Limited trim will handle that and more with its new engine upgrade.

What is the fuel mileage of the Limited?

In the city, the Limited will offer a comfortable commuter that gets impressive fuel mileage. EPA fuel estimates come in at 27/34 city/highway mpg and 29 combined mpg. It gets one mpg better city than the smaller 2.0-liter in the base and Premium trims.

Conclusion

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Limited is a good value for small SUV shoppers and comes with more power over the standard base and Premium trims. It adds appearance upgrades with 18-inch dark gray alloy wheels and more safety features with blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert as standard.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Torque News Denis Flierl