2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport

Time to get to know one of our most recent long-terms, this 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport, a little better. 3-years into its 2^nd generation, ’21 ushered in fresh styling and a new engine option. 

New to Crosstrek anyway; it’s the Forester’s 182-horsepower 2.5-liter boxer-4, and comes standard with Sport and Limited trims, working with a CVT, naturally. We’ve averaged 28.1 miles-per-gallon during our initial 1,000-miles.

Ours is the Sport variety, meaning slightly more rugged-looking trim for the outside, and adventure-ready water-repellant StarTex upholstery inside.  

We’re no strangers to the Crosstrek, as we’ve had several of them on our long term lot over the years and this refreshed Crosstrek feels familiar to us. We appreciate the extra power the new-to-the-model engine provides, and even though it’s still not the quickest thing, there’s a noticeable improvement over the 2.0L.

Time to update you on two members of our long-term fleet representing the hottest automotive segment going right now, small crossovers.  First up, this 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport.  

In our fleet for just 3–months now, fuel mileage currently sits at 26.8 miles-per-gallon, over 4,000-miles. The 30 extra horsepower that arrived for ’21 from an optional naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter boxer-4 may not have been enough for some, but we feel they’ve finally hit the sweet spot. 

And despite the high ground clearance, this chassis feels as nimble as ever when darting around town; noticeably revealing its Impreza roots. 

“This Crosstrek Sport offers comfort on different levels. There’s the obvious seat and ride comfort and then there’s what I can best describe as mental comfort. Having extra ground clearance gives peace of mind even if it’s just avoiding a high curb. And with the durable seat material there’s no stress if you or someone else tracks in the elements.”  

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport is the best Crosstrek yet, having improved greatly over its eight years.  

With us for four months, we’re starting to build miles, as the odometer currently sits at 5,500; and noticing that it has grown into a really great highway cruiser.  

Yet, it still has plenty of character, which is also a way of saying that while it has matured, it remains a little rough around the edges.  Most notably when it comes to the auto/stop start system; which really rocks the boat when it brings the engine to life.

That engine is of course a flat-4; here in the Crosstrek Sport, the upgraded naturally aspirated 2.5–liter rated at 182–horsepower and delivering us a 28.6 miles-per-gallon average.  

The Crosstrek is yet another Subaru model that has attracted a group of diehard loyalists and now living with this one on a daily basis, we’re reminded why. Sure there’s the versatility and all that, but its smooth road manners are underrated. Now they just have to smooth out that auto stop/start system. 

People love Subarus for their all-weather capability, as well as for their practicality and usability. Our 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport has excelled in all of those areas, as well as a few we didn’t expect. 

Adding a little over 2,000-miles since our last report indicates we’ve been putting in some highway time, and despite its size, the Crosstrek has proved to be nice and comfy for long trips.  

Our Sport’s 182-horsepower 2.5-liter engine can be a little loud at extended highway speeds and at times feels like it’s working hard to keep up with interstate traffic.  But there are no complaints about our 29.4 miles-per-gallon average over 8,000-miles, which allows for well over 400-miles before needing a fill up. Some small utilities barely get 300–miles to a tank.

We’re heading full speed into winter here in the Mid-Atlantic; and that’s something we actually look forward to when we’re driving this 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport. 

There is a reason you see so many Subarus the further north you go in this country; and that reason is Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Standard here in the Crosstrek Sport, it’s constantly distributing torque where it’s needed. Now, it hasn’t snowed here yet, but we’ve still felt the system in action. Whether it’s accelerating quickly from a stop or pushing a little harder than we should on a back road, there’s never a shortage of grip. 

One nitpick: Adjusting the cruise control is finicky when dialing in precise speeds that aren’t in 5 mile-per-hour increments; but once set, the 182–horsepower Crosstrek Sport has no problems cruising at high speeds.  

And, through 9-months and some 11,000-miles of cruising, we’ve averaged an excellent 30.4 miles-per-gallon, bettering the EPA’s combined City/Highway rating.

9-months in, and we keep racking up the miles in our 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport long-term; tacking on another 1,000 over the last month, bringing our total to 12,000.    

Sporting new Sport trim means there’s unique gunmetal finishes applied to the exterior badges as well as the side mirrors; along with dark gray 17-inch wheels, and fender flares. The Sport’s upgraded StarTex upholstery also seems to be holding up quite well through almost a years’ worth of abuse.  

Fuel economy average sits at a nice even 30.0 miles-per-gallon. It’s proven to be a great getaway vehicle, feeling solid and quiet on smooth roads, but it can get a little jouncy on rough winter pavement; though that generally comes with the territory in vehicles that are as off-road capable as the Crosstrek.

 It’s been 11-months since this 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport rolled onto our lot; the latest in a line of Crosstreks that we’ve been fortunate to have in our long-term fleet. We say fortunate because this little all-wheel-drive Subi always seems to be up for whatever we get into, no matter the weather or the road surface.  

As much as we’d love to spend more time driving this Crosstrek on rut-filled trails, the fact is our seat time almost exclusively on paved surfaces. Luckily its road manners are more polished than they ought to be for a utility with this much ground clearance on a relatively short wheelbase. So, we can’t complain too much about staying on the beaten path.

Between holiday travel, and our annual road trek south for winter testing, we tacked a healthy 3,200-miles onto the odometer since our last report; bringing our total to just over 15,000, and our fuel economy average to 29.4 miles-per-gallon.

First, it’s the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport. Over 12-months we put 16,581-miles on this Impreza-based utility, and averaged 29.9 miles-per-gallon from its 2.5-liter flat-4. Almost exactly what EPA estimates say to expect. This isn’t our first long term Crosstrek, and they’ve yet to disappoint, as there just seems to be something special about it.  

While this Crosstrek isn’t the biggest, nicest or fastest long-term test vehicle we’ve ever had, it’s probably in the running for most-loved because it’s just so useful. And while I’m rattling off adjectives, I’ll throw in practical because of things like these spill-resistant, yet stylish StarTex seats. I think the Crosstrek embodies Subaru’s ultra-dependable spirit as well as any model in the lineup.

That spirit manifests itself with a great 20.8 cubic-ft. of cargo space, sturdy roof rails, 8.7-inches of ground clearance, and hard rubber mats protecting the floors throughout.

We hate to say good-bye to the Crosstrek, so hopefully we can just say “see you later.”