What Is The Best Subaru SUV? New Crosstrek Sport Vs Forester And Outback

In the Subaru stable of all-wheel-drive SUVs, which model is the best? It’s been a tight race between the Forester compact SUV and Outback wagon, but with the new 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport arriving this summer, it changes everything. The Crosstrek Sport gets a new 2.5-liter engine that powers the Forester and Outback and will give the smaller Crosstrek subcompact SUV the power it needs.

The new Crosstrek Sport will be able to keep up with stablemates Forester and Outback on the pavement, and more importantly off-pavement, because of a new feature called dual function X-Mode that comes on the 2020 Forester Sport and is available on the 2020 Outback Onyx Edition XT.

What is dual function X-Mode? This upgraded X-Mode version allows the driver to select between two different settings tailored to adverse driving conditions; snow/dirt and deep snow/mud. This will be valuable for those going farther off the trail needing the extra level of off-road capability.

How much will the new Crosstrek Sport cost?

Subaru has not released pricing on the new 2021 Crosstrek Sport, but we have an idea it will be priced slightly more than $26,000 including destination and delivery fees. You will pay $35,905 for the Outback Onyx Edition XT to get dual function X-Mode and $30,005 for the Forester Sport, both equipped with the upgraded feature.

The 2020 Crosstrek Premium trim begins at $25,555 with a CVT. The new Forester Sport has a $1,600 price difference over the Forester Premium trim. This would make the all-new Crosstrek Sport MSRP around $26,145 including destination and delivery fees.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport will be a desirable model with a younger demographic with active lifestyles who don’t need the extra room in the Forester or Outback. Even without the 2.5-liter engine and dual function X-Mode, the current Crosstrek model is selling well.

Subaru has delivered 45,732 Crosstrek subcompact SUVs to customers compared with 62,305 all-new 2020 Outback wagons through June 2020. When the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport arrives this summer, it will be the hot new model in the Subaru stable. Now it will be able to keep up with its older siblings on-and-off pavement.

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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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