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The Newly-Refreshed Crosstrek Is Subaru's New Secret Weapon

The refreshed 2021 Crosstrek is having more success than Subaru expected. See why it’s the automaker’s new secret weapon.

Subaru hit a home run with the newly-refreshed 2021 Crosstrek compact SUV without swinging that hard. Subaru Corporation released new production results today, and the Crosstrek is the star of its report card. The Crosstrek is now Subaru’s top-selling model in Japan and in the U.S., it's setting new records almost every month since the refresh.

The Japanese automaker swung for the fence and hit the ball right on the sweet spot. Subaru updated the small SUV with a new 2.5-liter engine with a power increase, and it has improved fuel mileage. It’s the right combination for a model that already had a lot of things going for it.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek pricing, specs, features

Subaru was a little lucky too. Because of COVID, Millennials are now buying more cars as the world feels the impacts on personal mobility. Automotive News reports there is a growing trend toward car ownership due to COVID, and people ages 24 to 39 are leading the push. This age group is the demographic that is buying the Crosstrek.

Consumer Reports ranks the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek as the number one compact SUV. CR says there are five reasons the Crosstrek is the top-rated compact SUV in its segment: excellent fuel economy, a roomy cabin, comfortable ride, superior reliability, and outstanding owner satisfaction.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek pricing, specs, features

The Crosstrek is the automaker’s most reliable model in the lineup. In a new report from Consumer Reports, Crosstrek now rates the brand’s highest reliability, and owners give it a perfect 5/5 in owner satisfaction.

The Crosstrek is also rated highest in resale value. The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek wins its segment in ALG residual value awards. The all-wheel-drive compact SUV model projects to retain the highest percentage of value after three years with an average trade-in price of $17,180 to $26,775 for the 2018-2020 model years.

What is the price of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek comes in five trim levels. The base trim is priced from $22,245, Premium ($23,295), all-new Sport ($26,495), Limited with the 2.5-liter engine ($27,995). Destination and delivery add $1,050.

The top trim 2021 Crosstrek Limited with the new 2.5-liter engine has an MSRP of $29,045, including destination. CR says the market average sales price is $26,964 as Subaru offers incentives to lower the cost.

Subaru hit a home run with the newly-refreshed 2021 Crosstrek compact SUV, and it could be the best value right now for shoppers.

You Might Also Like: Why You Don’t Want To Buy A Used Subaru Crosstrek On Black Friday

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: Subaru

Comments

Jeff (not verified)    November 27, 2020 - 9:06PM

I owned an early version crosstrek and had a love/hate relationship with the vehicle. It was a limited trim package and I loved the look and overall utility. I sold it within the year of purchase though as it was terribly underpowered especially when combined with the cvt transmission. I may have to revisit the car again now that it’s finally received a little power bump. Having owned 5 subarus all were turbo except for the crosstrek so I am glad they finny went 2.5 but secretly hoping they build a Crosstrek XT at some point downstream. In the mean time I will get a test drive in the future as the crosstrek is truly a fun car to own.

Dave Miller (not verified)    November 28, 2020 - 11:57AM

In reply to by Jeff (not verified)

Boxer engine garbage cvt garbage superior reliability I think not Toyota is king has always been king not to mention Toyota owns 20% of Subaru I noticed

CDM (not verified)    November 28, 2020 - 1:36AM

Subes are way overrated and overpriced. First off, you have an engine that’s had some serious issues in the last 10 years. Also, not many mechanics even WANT to work on a BOXER engine, except a certified Sube mechanic at the dealership. Very inconvenient and expensive. I just bought a ‘20 Toyota Camry XSE ‘Nightshade Edition’ with AWD. I’ve had Subes before (Legacy) and I like my AWD Camry better than a comparable Sube in every way - plus, it was THOUSANDS of $ cheaper.

Rob (not verified)    November 28, 2020 - 9:21AM

In reply to by CDM (not verified)

You're a moron who is just talking out his ass. I have 4 turbo subarus and no issues. You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, just stop you're embarrassing yourself. Go back inside with my mom and dad little boy, eat a fruit roll up and read up on Subaru's before just flapping those ugly ass lips of yours.

Kurt (not verified)    November 29, 2020 - 10:06AM

In reply to by CDM (not verified)

I've had a quite different experience. Bought a 2004 FXT Premium in 2003, tremendously enjoyed it for 16 years, and sold it for 25% of what I paid for it with 165k miles. Now I'm loving a 2017 FXT Touring. I've pulled friends and strangers alike out of snow drifts. I saved one couple's life after their snow emergency crash with my Subaru. (They were freezing to death in shock after going over an embankment. I got to them, warmed them up, pulled their car out, got it going, and sent them on their way with only a busted windshield.) Subaru has been the smartest and best decision I've ever made.

Sharon (not verified)    November 28, 2020 - 8:49AM

I decided to buy the 2021 Crosstrek several months ago when I heard that the motor was being upgraded to 2.5 so would have much better pickup. I bought mine a month ago and could not be happier with it.

Mike (not verified)    November 28, 2020 - 12:05PM

Does this newly refreshed version eliminate interior rattles? I have a 2019 and after 30k miles there are multiple super annoying rattles that have popped up- some I can’t fix because I can’t figure out where they are. It’s a really a bummer on an otherwise decent, well equipped car. :(

Tom (not verified)    November 28, 2020 - 9:48PM

I bought the 2021 Crosstrek Sport and absolutely love it. Had driven earlier models of the Crosstrek and liked it, just thought it needed more power, when Subaru went to the 2.5 engine, I bought one and haven’t looked back, a fun to drive vehicle!

Andrew (not verified)    November 29, 2020 - 12:11AM

My wife and I are in our 40s, and we just purchased a new 2021 Crosstrek limited. This is our first new vehicle purchase, and we are very excited to have it. Between the fuel economy, the ride, all-wheel drive, safety features, reliability, and customer satisfaction reports, we knew this would be the vehicle for us. We are glad to have joined the Subaru club. We've been impressed with everything about the vehicle. Heck, the headlights and auto dim feature are nearly priceless.

The only thing that we find annoying is extremely minor. When using the cruise control doing a single hit on the adjustment switch pushes the speed up or down by 5 mph, rather than one mile per hour. We've learned that you can bump it by one mile per hour, but it requires that you hold the switch either up or down for a few seconds. That's one minor little quirk, but I'll take it in exchange for all of the awesomeness it got us.

Jacksie (not verified)    November 29, 2020 - 1:02AM

Head gasket failures notwithstanding, First generation (1998-2002) EJ-25 Foresters have much more character than these new Crosscraps [sic].