2022 Subaru Crosstrek

Overview

With a rugged image and standard all-wheel drive, the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek is the Instagram influencer's idea of what an SUV should be. Sure, it has more ground clearance than an Impreza hatchback, but this car-based crossover isn't going to tackle real trails alongside Jeeps and Land Rovers. Instead, it excels at tasks that'll likely endear it to those same influencers. Its roof rack can accommodate a kayak or two, there's plenty of space behind the back seat for a box full of yoga mats, and its durable—if somewhat plain—interior is easy to clean after a muddy hike. Driving enthusiasts won't find much to be excited about, though, and the Crosstrek's base engine is woefully underpowered. Luckily, there's a speedier Sport model and an eco-friendly plug-in hybrid option to choose from.

What's New for 2022?

Subaru has made no notable changes to the Crosstrek for 2022, so its smallest SUV rolls into the new year with the same styling, features, and powertrains that it had the previous model year.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The Sport model's enhanced features—unique 17-inch wheels, yellow-stitched upholstery, faux-carbon-fiber trim, and advanced driving modes—are nice, but the more powerful 182-hp 2.5-liter engine is what makes it worthy of the upcharge. Like most other Subarus, all-wheel drive is standard on the Crosstrek, a rarity in the small SUV marketplace where it's usually optional or sometimes not offered at all.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Crosstrek's base 152-hp four-cylinder engine makes a lot of noise but doesn't offer a lot of motivation. As with many of its competitors, getting up to highway speeds can be a bit painful, no matter whether you choose the standard manual transmission or the optional automatic. In our testing, an automatic model needed a leisurely 9.2 seconds to reach 60 mph. The plug-in-hybrid model proved to be quicker, shaving 0.9 second off the 2.0-liter model's zero-to-60-mph time. This lack of energy is largely addressed by the optional 182-hp 2.5-liter engine that's also found on the Legacy sedan and Outback station wagon. Thanks to well-weighted steering and a composed ride, the Crosstrek feels solid and planted through corners. The suspension is tuned to be firm but not harsh and soaks up larger bumps with ease. Charging the plug-in-hybrid model will take up to five hours if connected to a standard household 120-volt outlet; using a 240-volt outlet does the job in as little as two hours. With only 17 miles of electric-only range, buyers shouldn't expect to complete the entirety of their commute without dipping into the gasoline.

View Photos

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

With not only great fuel-economy ratings but also some of the best results in our real-world testing, this Subaru is among the most fuel efficient of subcompact crossovers. The Crosstrek's 2.0-liter engine and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) are rated at 28 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. However, the manual comes with sizable drops of 22 and 29 mpg, respectively. The 2.5-liter engine and CVT are rated at 27 mpg city and 34 highway. On our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, the automatic-equipped 2.0-liter delivered an impressive 32 mpg, the manual also impressed with a 31-mpg result. We haven't yet tested the new 2.5-liter engine. The hybrid model is rated at up to 90 MPGe combined and 35 mpg on the highway, but we managed only 30 mpg in our testing. For more information about the Crosstrek's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

In typical Subaru fashion, the Crosstrek has a basic and durable-feeling interior that prioritizes function over form. Its lack of flair is perfectly acceptable in the cheaper versions but starts to feel a bit drab in the Limited model, which can surpass $30,000 with options. Feeble attempts to spice things up include bits of faux-carbon-fiber trim and orange stitching on the seats, but the overall atmosphere remains dark and a bit dull—opting for the lighter gray cloth or leather upholstery helps somewhat. Folding the Crosstrek's 60/40 split-folding rear seat expands the cargo hold considerably, but the folded seats don't make for an entirely flat cargo floor. The Honda HR-V and the Nissan Rogue Sport held more stuff in our testing despite their smaller exterior dimensions. The Crosstrek managed to hold 19 of our carry-on suitcases with the rear seats folded; the HR-V fit 22, while the Rogue Sport held 20. The hybrid model's cargo floor is higher than the nonhybrid to accommodate the battery pack, and we were only able to fit 17 carry-ons with the seats folded.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

Subaru's StarLink infotainment system is clearly organized, offers plenty of connectivity features as standard, and is easy to navigate in everyday use. A 6.5-inch touchscreen is standard equipment and offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, along with the expected Bluetooth support and a USB port. The Limited and hybrid models come with a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen that offers SiriusXM satellite radio plus some additional support apps; navigation is optional but only with the 8.0-inch display.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

The optional driver-assistance features are reasonably priced and, unlike many competitors, are available even on the base Crosstrek for a reasonable cost. For more information about the Crosstrek's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Available automated emergency braking
• Available lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Subaru's warranty coverage is exactly in line with that of most of its competitors. As with many rival hybrids, the plug-in Crosstrek comes with an extra policy to cover that car's expensive battery-electric components.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Hybrid-component warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

Specifications

2021 Subaru Crosstrek 2.5

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE AS TESTED
$31,440 (base price: $27,545)

ENGINE TYPE
DOHC 16-valve flat-4, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
152 in³, 2498 cm³
Power
182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque
176 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 11.6-in vented disc/10.8-in disc
Tires: Falken Ziex ZE001 A/S, 225/55R-18 98H M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 104.9 in
Length: 176.5 in
Width: 71.0 in
Height: 63.6 in
Passenger volume: 97 ft³
Cargo volume: 21 ft³
Curb weight: 3351 lb

C/D
TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.5 sec
100 mph: 22.2 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 8.2 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 4.4 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.4 sec
1/4 mile: 16.0 sec @ 88 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 169 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.81 g
*stability-control-inhibited
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.

C/D
FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 23 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 29/27/34 mpg

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2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE AS TESTED
$38,470 (base price: $35,970)

ENGINE TYPE
DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter flat-4, 137 hp, 134 lb-ft + permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor, 118 hp, 149 lb-ft; combined output, 148 hp; 8.8-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery pack

TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 11.6-in vented disc/11.2-in vented disc
Tires: Falken Ziex ZE001 A/S, 225/55R-18 98H M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 104.9 in
Length: 175.8 in
Width: 71.0 in
Height: 62.8 in
Passenger volume: 100.7 cu ft
Cargo volume: 43.1 cu ft
Curb weight (C/D est): 3750 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
Zero to 60 mph: 8.3 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 26.9 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 8.4 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.9 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 16.6 sec @ 83 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 109 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 173 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.85 g
*stability-control-inhibited

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 30 MPGe
75-mph highway driving: 30 mpg
Highway range: 390 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 35/36/35 mpg
Combined gasoline+electricity: 90 MPGe
EV range: 17 miles

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs