Auto N Sider | 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport

While Subaru does make a genuine and quite beautiful sports car…the BRZ…it’s the Crosstrek that’s Subaru’s other “Sports Car”.

Yes…”Sports” as in getting you out there and safely home for backcountry skiing, mountain biking, whitewater kayaking, fishing and all kinds of outdoor activities.

And if your secret fun places involve dirt roads, it’s still all good, as like every Subaru except that BRZ, the Crosstrek has all-wheel drive…and decent ground clearance, too.

But the Crosstrek has been on sale for a few years now…so what’s new?

More Power.   Your ’21 Crosstrek Sport has a 2.5 liter four with 30 more HP…182 vs last year’s 2.0 with 152.   And that extra HP and torque make the Sport an eager performer with almost no loss in mileage.   The Sport is rated at 27 City and 34 Hwy…which is right in line with what we got in our week-long test.

So what is a Crosstgrek?   If the pictures don’t tell the story, Subaru’s Crosstrek appears to be a four-door hatch…slightly elevated for that 8.7” of ground clearance.  But Subaru prefers that you call it a compact SUV.

And that’s fine with us, because Subie’s Crosstrek can carry quite a decent load…with room for 20.8 cu ft of gear with the rear seats in place…and a pretty huge 55.3 with the rears folded.   And with split folding rear seats, you can still carry that third passenger + some 6’ long gear.

Crosstreks start in the low $20’s.  Their “Base” and “Premium” models still use last year’s 2.0, 154 HP engines.   It’s the “Sport” and “Limited” models that get the 184 HP.

If you want a 6-speed manual, you’ll have to stick with one of the two more modest models.   A continuously variable auto is standard on the Sport and the Limited.   And paddle shifters with an 8-speed “feel” are standard with those CVTs.

Whichever engine you choose, your Crosstrek is rated to tow 1,500 lbs, plus you’ve got the roof rails for even more totability.

Also new for ’21 is Subaru’s “Eyesight” Driver assist technology…standard on all Crosstrecks.   Eyesight monitors the traffic around you and gives you distance-keeping cruise control, lane departure alerts, lane centering assistance and emergency braking.   Good stuff.

While the top of the line Limited Crosstreck is the one with leather, it’s the Sport that has the more outdoorsy and aggressive look with dark grey 17” alloys and complimentary trim.   And inside you’ve got easily cleanable imitation leather and eco-friendly flooring.

With an optional moonroof, multimedia system and destination fees, our new ’21 Subaru Crosstreck still came in at only a hair over 29 thousand.

Again, if you’re more into “Doing” than watching sports, you might want to put the ’21 Crosstrek on your list.