Should You Buy A 2020 Subaru Crosstrek Now Or Wait For The New 2021 Sport Trim?

The good news is, Subaru of America is getting a newly refreshed 2021 Crosstrek subcompact SUV and it’s getting more horsepower. It will feature a normally aspirated (non-supercharged) 2.5-liter Boxer engine that powers the larger Forester and Outback models producing 30 more horsepower than the standard 2.0-liter engine. The non-supercharged engine will have more than enough power for the smaller Crosstrek.

Aside from the cosmetic exterior changes, what are the biggest differences between the 2020 model and the newly refreshed 2021 Crosstrek? Should you wait for the new 2021 Subaru Crosstrek or buy the 2020 model?

If you are going to be towing a small trailer, have a bike carrier on the back, carrying cargo for camping, or live near the mountains where you will be driving over a high mountain pass, you will want the Sport or Limited trims that offer the larger 2.5-liter engine.

It will give you the extra power you’ll need and the new 2.5-liter powerplant will get about the same fuel mileage, so you won’t be spending much more to fill up. The Sport trim also offers a new dual-function X-Mode you will want if you do any off-pavement driving.

It will give the Crosstrek improved off-road performance and safety in extreme road conditions. It comes with Hill Descent Control with SNOW/DIRT and DEEP SNOW/MUD settings you don’t get on the standard model. You won’t be left stranded out in the wilderness without a way to get back.

If you are camping you will find another feature helpful. The new Crosstrek Sport gets a new high-power LED rear gate light for better visibility when you are in the back country with very little light.

Two new safety features are now offered on the 2021 Crosstrek equipped with a CVT automatic transmission regardless of which trim level you get. It gets standard EyeSight driver assist safety technology with new Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering capabilities.

It also comes with a Rear Seat Reminder designed to help prevent a child or pet entrapment or from leaving valuables out in the open when you leave the vehicle in a secluded spot. It alerts the driver to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle.

If you will be using the subcompact SUV for urban driving and commuting, the standard model with the 2.0-liter engine will be your best choice. It has all the power you’ll need and you can also get a 6-speed manual transmission if you want to shift yourself. It will also cost less.

What is the price of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport?

Subaru has not announced pricing on 2021 Crosstrek models yet, but the new Sport could be around $1,600 more than a comparably equipped Premium trim.

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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 and the founder of 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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