2021 Subaru Crosstrek first drive | Car Reviews

Auto123 exams for the initial time the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, now outfitted with a larger motor.

Morin Heights, QC – This properly-recognized Laurentian alpine ski resort was the setting for a considerably-anticipated initial come across with the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The Japanese automaker’s well-known crossover has acquired a mild-to-medium makeover for the new year.

It should really be famous that Subaru offered just above fifteen,000 units of this modified Impreza on stilts last year in Canada – a pre-COVID-19 year, unnecessary to say. To give you an strategy of the Crosstrek’s good results last year, the crossover was surpassed in its classification only by the Nissan Qashqai and the little Nissan Kicks (certainly I know, that little city auto just isn’t pretty a immediate competitor to the Crosstrek).

New for 2021
Certainly, the Crosstrek is a very important model for Subaru, and that explains the series of advancements for the 2021 lineup. In addition to the typical overhaul (new colors, new standard gear, and so on.), the 2021 Crosstrek comes with a new 2.5L flat-4-cylinder motor, the very same bolted less than the hood of the Legacy, Outback and Forester.

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2021 Subaru Crosstrek Out of doors, entrance

The other major alter is that Subaru also provides a new trim for 2021 termed Out of doors, which stands out from the relaxation with special charcoal-coloured wheels and a series of very same-color accents, for instance the facet-mirror caps, antenna and even badging. Eagled-eyed observers may perhaps have presently recognized the little digicam housed just less than the Subaru badge at the entrance of the auto and these exceptional rocker panels.
Also notable is the availability of the pearly plasma yellow color you see here, also special to this model. As for the inside of the Out of doors version, it receives a special treatment method as properly. Much more on that in a little bit.

For the relaxation, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek hews pretty close to the model released on the marketplace just 4 several years in the past.

Montreal – Morin-Heights
Subaru Canada invited a handful of users of the automotive press to occur and learn this new vintage… with a treatment that respects social distancing actions, of system!

I took the wheel of a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Out of doors decked in pearl white crystal and pointed it north headed out of Montreal. I had two options of routes: a small and immediate just one, and a longer just one with a far more twisty structure. The Crosstrek’s presently properly-recognized agility certain me to choose the longer route, if only to experience the reworked suspension on backcountry roads.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Out of doors, a few-quarters rear

The added electrical power offered from the 2.5L motor (182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque) rapidly makes its presence felt in the course of acceleration, but even far more so when cruising on the freeway. With the SI-Travel system – the button is positioned on the ideal facet of the steering wheel – the motor reacts far more rapidly. The new mechanics really don’t particularly switch the Crosstrek into a electrical power monster, but it’s very clear the new motor provides pep to the equation.

Subaru Canada continues to offer a six-speed manual transmission with the “little” motor, but hbas declined to offer it with the 2.five-litre motor, that means you have to accept the presence of the consistently variable transmission (CVT). Relaxation confident, the brand’s engineers have mastered this technological innovation really properly, and the transmission has even been reworked to be optimally tailored to the 2.five!

Sure, extreme tension on the ideal pedal does increase the decibel amount on board the CVT makes the 4-cylinder sing (or screech, or whine choose your select) at higher RPM, but the moment at cruising speed, the Crosstrek quiets down all over again.

The strengthen in electrical power undeniably does the Crosstrek a ton of fantastic, but the essence of the Crosstrek stays unchanged. Which indicates that steering is large at small speeds, but really properly balanced at higher speeds, though the suspension is properly poised to choose on the crevices of people back again roads I addressed myself to.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Out of doors, motor

A word about protection
The producer has been scrambling for a handful of several years to democratize its Vision protection system, which by the way you can figure out by the two cameras positioned on possibly facet of the rear-look at mirror in the centre of the windshield.

The list of features it involves was presently prolonged prior to, but for 2021, lane centering aid has been added its icon on the steering wheel indicates whether or not the system is on or off. This system keeps the auto amongst the lines on the road and it does it pretty properly, even though I observed it wobbled a little far too frequently amongst the two stripes lines. Fortunately, this new protection operate can be deactivated by using that button identified by a steering wheel… on the steering wheel!

A Crosstrek for off-roading?
A reasonably accidented system had been laid so we could learn the virtues of the two-amount X-Mode system, new in 2021. The electronic torque and traction command system is surely better outfitted to endure far more terrain situations.

The Crosstrek Out of doors has the very same ground clearance as other variants, so actually it is not a far more rugged version, like the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon in contrast to the other trims of the well known 4×4. In other terms, its mission is not to tame extreme trails. But, in a part of our trek strewn with tall grass and mud, in addition to numerous hidden rocks, the pocket-measurement SUV pulled as a result of as if it was cruising on freshly paved asphalt, or just about. The downhill aid system was also put to the check. Almost nothing to report there, besides that it will work really properly.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Confined

Subaru quality within
The 2021 Crosstrek Out of doors does not alter the method driving this model, but that straightforward-to-clean upholstery on the seats is welcome, as is the yellow stitching on the dashboard. Some could possibly that the ambiance on board just isn’t the most “tech-y” in the business, but Subaru is recognized for its straightforward-to-use interiors with properly-placed controls. Even the infotainment system, the moment a Subaru weak point, is straightforward to work. The Subaru Crosstrek feels like a quality car. It really is not flamboyant, but we know the auto will be just as properly assembled in 10 several years!

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Out of doors, inside

The last word
Legitimate to its custom, Subaru continuesto quietly make its products evolve. The Crosstrek, even however it is been primarily based on the group’s new world wide system considering that 2018, hasn’t transformed outrageously considering that 2013. The Crosstrek borrows its hull from the five-doorway Impreza, but raises its ground clearance to the very same amount as the other SUVs in the lineup. The motor still has 4 cylinders laid out flat, and the all-wheel travel system is just one of the ideal in the business.

In the meantime, the new motor is really attention-grabbing and does not impact gasoline financial system (seven.9L/a hundred km for the 2.0L model vs . 8.0L/a hundred km for the 2.5L model) and, in my opinion, it seems a little far more convincing when the ideal foot wants far more. As for the eternal problem about the availability of a manual transmission with the 2.5L, the likelihood of seeing these kinds of a version look are nil.

Just after a working day driving the wheel, I the moment all over again comprehend why so numerous Canadian shoppers choose to get back again driving the wheel of this curious auto, a auto that is far more and far more ubiquitous on our roads.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Out of doors, profile

We like

The over-all quality
The improved electrical power
The effectiveness of the AWD system

We like less

The absence of a manual gearbox with the 2.5L
Why not the 2.4L turbo?
Hefty steering at small speed

The principal level of competition

Buick Encore GX
Chevrolet Trailblazer
Fiat 500X
Ford EcoSport
Honda HR-V
Hyundai Kona
Jeep Renegade / Compass
Kia Seltos
Mazda CX-30
Mitsubishi RVR / Eclipse Cross
Nissan Qashqai
Toyota C-HR

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Out of doors, rear