It won't be wrong to say that the sub-compact SUV segment is the raging bull of the automotive industry right now. Emerged out of the ongoing SUV storm, the segment mostly consists of hatchback sized vehicles with SUV like ambitions. Yes, for that extra muscle and prowess, there still are numerous bulky SUVs in the market, but the hot new segment tries to blend the same mixture in a proportionally smaller package. However, as a rugged overall package, there is barely any other sub-compact SUV that can match the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek.
Crosstrek is one of the most popular subcompact crossovers from Subaru. The amount of ease and fun that Crosstrek offers, has been the signature footprint of Subaru's SUVs. No matter how rugged it may look, the unconstrained driving impression similar to a hatch makes it even more worthy of city conditions. You might be tempted to throw it in the dirt, no problem, do it as and when you feel like but please don't get carried away. For the 2020 model year, Subaru Crosstrek is available with a 2.0-Liter Boxer engine or a plug-in hybrid setup. Subaru brings in more amenities and feature-loaded Crosstrek trims for 2020 surprise, the game is on!
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
First introduced in 2013, the Subaru Crosstrek is certainly among the most potent sub-compact SUVs. An SUV like ground clearance, Subaru’s Boxer engine, and its raw temperament distinguishes it from the rest of its rivals. Though the Crosstrek might not be as plush as the Mazda CX-30 or as agile as a Hyundai Kona, its robust character fairly compensates for those shortcomings.
Some of the Crosstrek’s shortcomings were addressed in its second generation that came up in 2018 with major styling and feature updates. The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek, is the third model year of its second generation and it comes with some updated standard goodies. Along with enhanced muscles, the Crosstrek also offers a simple and spacious cabin as well as a comfortable ride. Overall, at a price point of $22,145, the Subaru Crosstrek is one vehicle that tries very hard to stick with the essence of a sub-compact SUV.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek three quarter view
2020 Subaru Crosstrek rear three quarter view
7.0/10 Pricing and Features
6.0/10 Engine and Performance
8.0/10 Fuel Economy
7.0/10 Interior
7.0/10 Exterior
9.0/10 Safety
7.0/10 Competition
7.5/10 Final Verdict
2020 Subaru Crosstrek Pricing and Features
7.0/10
Subaru makes no changes to the 2020 Crosstrek lineup, still available in three trims majorly differing in creature comfort on offer. Prices for the 2020 Crosstrek start at $22,145 for the base 4dr model, $23,195 for the Crosstrek Premium and $27,395 for the Crosstrek Limited. Equipping you with all-weather prowess, Subaru provides all-wheel drive as standard across all trims. However, you do have the option of picking between an automatic or a manual transmission in the base and premium models. The top-spec Limited trim comes with a CVT automatic transmission as the only option. There's also a Crosstrek Hybrid model available, that we have reviewed separately.
Trims
4dr SUV
Premium
Limited
MSRP (2.0L, F-4, AWD)
$22,145
$23,195
$27,395
Key Features
4-wheel ABS
Adds/Upgrades to 4dr SUV -
Adds/Upgrades to Premium -
Ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes
Emergency braking preparation
Blindspot and lane departure warnings accident avoidance system
Daytime running lights
Front fog/driving lights
Turn signal mirrors
Multi-reflector halogen headlights
Dusk sensing headlamps
Adaptive LED headlights
Post-collision safety system
Auto delay off headlamps
Pre-collision safety system
STARLINK 6.5-inch Multimedia Infotainment
STARLINK 6.5-inch Multimedia Plus Infotainment
STARLINK 8.0-inch Multimedia Plus
Infotainment
4 Speakers
6 Speakers
Lineartronic CVT paddle shifters
electric power steering
leather steering wheel
Transmission, cruise and audio controls on steering wheel
Interior air filtration
Windshield wiper de-icer and heated side mirrors
Adaptive cruise control
Cloth upholstery
Cloth upholstery with orange stitching
Leather-trimmed upholstery with orange contrast stitching
6- way manual driver and 4- way manual passenger seat adjustment
Multi-level heated front seats
6- way power driver's seat
Hands-free entry
Which Subaru Crosstrek trim do we recommend?
The Premium trim with the automatic CVT transmission makes the most sense to us. At the price point, the Crosstrek Premium provides complete value and is aptly loaded with stuff to make your life easier on a daily basis. The optional automatic transmission, not only makes daily-driveability a hassle-free task but also churns more miles per gallon than the manual.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek Engine and Performance
6.0/10
Power delivery from the standard 2.0-liter boxer engine is smooth and fine, but Subaru Crosstrek feels short of power on the winding roads. Merging and highway passing needs to a planned maneuver with the Crosstrek. Moreover, the engine is too noisy for a calm ride. The engine seems adequately powered for an SUV of this size in the city conditions. Around the town, Crosstrek will never feel underpowered to entertain you. The transmission duties are handled by a standard six-speed manual transmission while opting for an automatic CVT would be wiser to avoid any hassle in traffic conditions. However, at times you do end up craving for a bit more power, on the open city road, that's a sacrifice CVT makes to be more efficient. The 6-speed manual transmission is slick and makes the first choice for control freaks.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek engine bay
The CVT is smooth in its operation and truly imitates the traditional shifting, but nonetheless, it is a CVT, so it acts like one. Floor the Crosstrek from a start, and the transmission delivers a very healthy power supply. However, once you are cruising on highway speeds and preparing for an overtake, you hit the throttle only to feel the sudden demise of power to the wheels. That's when demand for a bigger block with more power emerges.
Models
Subaru Crosstrek Premium
Mazda CX-30 Preferred
Hyundai Kona Limited
Buick Encore Sport Touring
MSRP
$23,195
$26,200
$25,900
$25,800
Engine
2.0L Flat-4
2.0L Inline-4
1.6L Turbo Inline-4
1.4L Turbo Inline-4
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
FWD
FWD
Transmission
Continuously variable-speed automatic
6-speed shiftable automatic
7-speed automated manual
6-speed shiftable automatic
Power
152hp@6,000rpm
186hp@6,000rpm
175hp@5,500rpm
138hp@4,900rpm
Torque
145lb-ft@4,000rpm
186lb-ft@4,000rpm
195lb-ft@1,500rpm
148lb-ft@1,850rpm
Categorizing Subaru Crosstrek into a muscular crossover would be an overstatement. The powertrain of the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek is definitely behind the likes of Mazda CX-30 or Hyundai Kona, but that's not much of a complaint at this price. The Crosstrek tries to deliver on all performance fronts and it is certainly livable for day-to-day driving with some hidden flare of going rogue.
How fast is the Subaru Crosstrek?
Before coming to this question, please be reminded that Crosstrek is a subcompact crossover with favoritism for performing in the dirt. Subaru doesn't intend the Crosstrek to win lap races but to stay rigid to every road condition without burning a hole in your pocket. This is quite evident from Subaru's powertrain choice of a 152 hp flat-four engine mated with a CVT, certainly not going to ace any sprint test. However, for the sake of numbers, the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek with an automatic transmission takes 9.0 seconds to gear up from 0-60, which is quite fair for its class and size.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek hits 0-60 mph in just 9.0 sec
The manual transmission only aggravates the 0-60 mph time of the Subaru Crosstrek. The slow Crosstrek is acceptable for in-town drivability but not for highway fun. Also, the tall and wide stance of the Crosstrek does not support the sprinting SUV but assures planted one.
Models
Subaru Crosstrek Premium
Mazda CX-30 Preferred
Hyundai Kona Limited
Buick Encore Sport Touring
0-60 MPH
9.0 sec
7.5 sec
6.8 sec
9.5 sec
Quarter Mile
16.9 sec
NA
15.4 sec
17.0 sec
Top Speed
140 MPH
126 MPH
127 MPH
N/A
Engine
2.0L Flat-4
2.0L Inline-4
1.6L Turbo Inline-4
1.4L Turbo Inline-4
Among its class though, the Hyundai Kona turns out to be the quickest with 6.8 seconds run from 0-60 mph. Automakers are powering up with scaling down the engines, bringing in more efficiency without giving up the ponies. It is high time that Subaru reworks the game plan, only to take the Crosstrek to a hight of its stature.
What about the ride and handling of Subaru Crosstrek?
In contrast to its rugged and sporty appeal on the outside, the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek offers a fairly complacent ride. The ride quality may not be as good as the Mazda, but it's aptly comfortable for an isolated drive. The Subaru Crosstrek suspension absorbs all the road imperfections, even the larger once. The suspension is firm but soaks up bumps pretty well to not be harsh. Subaru's control has never missed its mark, the Crosstrek steering is sharp and offers a good response as well. Subaru imparts tall height to the Crosstrek for better ground clearance, making it a competent off-roading machine. The plastic cladding surrounding the 2020 Crosstrek further compliments the rugged character of this compact crossover.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek handling
Around town, the Crosstrek feels very calm and composed. With a high seating position and large glasses, the view on the outside is expansive. However, while cornering, there is a bit of noticeable body roll, but the steering response never gets diluted. Let these small giggles, the 2020 Crosstrek is a perfect daily driver that you can live with. Not perfect though, what's good about the 2020 Crosstrek is the fact that it has got a little bit of everything.
How well does the Subaru Crosstrek brake?
Subaru has always been extremely cautious regarding the safety in its cars, and braking being an essential part of it, Subaru Crosstrek brakes reliably. The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek comes equipped with ventilated discs at the front and solids at the rear along with 4-wheel ABS. The brakes in the Crosstrek feel very solid with strong responses, bringing it to a halt from 60 mph in just 120 feet.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek brakes
It is not the weight that plagues this compact SUV but the body lean that evokes a sense of worry. How strong may be the Crosstrek brakes, the evident anxious feeling becomes hard to ignore. To say the least, Subaru has you covered as far as safety and reliability is concerned.
Models
Subaru Crosstrek Premium
Mazda CX-30 Preferred
Hyundai Kona Limited
Buick Encore Sport Touring
Brake Rotors Front
11.6"
11.6"
12.0"
11.8"
Brake Rotors Rear
10.8"
11.9"
11.2"
10.6"
Curb Weight
3117 lbs
3232 lbs
3042 lbs
3237 lbs
60-0 MPH
120 ft
NA
130 ft
119 ft (est)
The braking figure of the Mazda CX-30 and Buick Encore is not available yet, but among the competition, the Buick encore seems the most promising in terms of braking apparatus. The 2017 Buick Encore on which the 2020 Encore is based, had a stopping distance of 119 ft from 60-0. In the subsequent years though, the Encore had shed some of its weight, with no changes in the braking mechanism. We expect the 2020 Encore’s stopping distance to be somewhat identical to its 2017 model. Which is still far better than its competition.
A handsome fuel economy is expected from a car touted as a daily drivable car and the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek doesn't disappoint. With the 6-speed manual transmission, the Crosstrek delivers 22/29 /29 mpg in city/highway/combined respectively. However, with the automatic CVT, these figures improve to 27/33/30 mpg, which is overwhelming enough for its class. Though, a scope of betterment is always available.
Models
Subaru Crosstrek Premium
Mazda CX-30 Preferred
Hyundai Kona Limited
Buick Encore Sport Touring
MPG (City)
27
25
28
25
MPG (Highway)
33
33
32
30
MPG (Combined)
30
28
30
27
Fuel Capacity
16.6 gallons
13.5 gallons
13.2 gallons
14.0 gallons
Range (City/Hwy/Combined)
448/548/498 miles
338/446/378 miles
370/422/396 miles
350/420/378 miles
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr)
7.1
6.4
5.9
6.5
EPA estimates are not yet available for the Mazda CX-30. Among the rest, the Crosstrek and the Kona share the top spot on the fuel economy charts with their 30 mpg combined. The Buick Encore trails behind by a small margin though, with its 27 mpg combined. The Buick Encore is indeed the heaviest among the lot which ruins the SUV’s mpg party.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek Interior
7.0/10
On the inside, the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek keeps things very clean and simple, unlike the rugged exterior. The Crosstrek cabin has a neat arrangement with a minimalistic dashboard that does look outdated when compared to its rivals. on the brighter side, the interior of Crosstrek is thoughtful and inspire convinience. The lower trims get cloth upholstery along with a 6-way power driver's seat and 4-way manual front passenger seat. The Crosstrek Limited gets upscale leather upholstery that also extends to the door panels. The Limited also unlocks a 6-way powered front passengers seats for added comfort.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek seating layout
The front seats get heated functionality and offer the best in class all-around space. The seats are not the most comfortable chairs out there, but for the class and price, they offer pretty good support and comfort. The rear bench too has nice padding and offers best in segment rear shoulder and legroom. All in all, Subaru Crosstrek's strong built interiors offer ample spacious and ergonomic cabin.
Models
Subaru Crosstrek Premium
Mazda CX-30 Preferred
Hyundai Kona Limited
Buick Encore Sport Touring
Seating Capacity
5
5
5
5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
39.8/56.7/43.1
38.1/55.6/41.7
38.0/55.5/41.5
39.6/54.2/40.8
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
38.0/55.6/36.5
38.3/53.6/36.3
37.8/54.5/34.6
38.8/52.5/35.8
The Crosstrek might not have the plushest interiors, but it outshines its rivals in terms of passenger space around both the rows. Subaru has worked upon the early complaints regarding the lack of modern amenities with a better equipped 2020 Crosstrek. With 2020 Subaru Crosstrek you now bring home standard automatic climate control, the automatic door unlocked system, The mid-range Premium model can be equipped with a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat and keyless entry with push-button start. Beefing up the top-spec Limited, Subaru gives it a rear-seat USB charging ports.
How intutive is the Subaru Crosstrek Infotainment system?
The infotainment system in the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek is a cohesion of three different screens working together. There is a tiny digital driver's information display in the instrument cluster that sits between the analog gauges and can control various vehicle settings. The lower trims get a 6.5 inch StarLink touchscreen infotainment, while the Limited gets an 8.0-inch unit. The upper screen serves as an information panel and displays various information like range, weather, etc. The menu structure is easy to understand even for the first time users but the graphics looks dated.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek has 8.0-inch infotainment screen
The 8.0 inch Starlink infotainment comes standard with Apple Carplay, Android Auto and Satellite Radio. The graphics are not the best in the market, and at times, the system does take some time to respond to inputs. However, the infotainment system has a very clean layout with bigger graphics, making it very easy to operate. What most buyers would find very convenient is the physical shortcut buttons for volume control and various apps along with climate control knobs.
What are the infotainment features in Subaru Crosstrek?
Subaru's infotainment system may not attract much attention in front of the future-proof technology of its rivals. In realization of the same, Subaru provides adequate features for the price of the Crosstrek. Ths standard interior features in the 2020 Subaru Crossstrek are as below:
Upto 8.0 inch Subaru StarLink infotainment system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Satellite Radio
4 USB Ports
Upto 6 total speakers
4G LTE Wi-Fi capability
How practical is the Subaru Crosstrek?
Apart from ample cabin space, the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek’s long body plays a vital role in making it more than practical. Behind the second row, the Crosstrek opens up 20.8 cu-ft of cargo space which is the best in class. Subaru ensures that Crosstrek delivers the most for its price value, pretty evident in the generous interior space.
Models
Subaru Crosstrek Premium
Mazda CX-30 Preferred
Hyundai Kona Limited
Buick Encore Sport Touring
Cargo Capacity
20.8 cu.ft.
20.2 cu.ft.
19.2 cu.ft.
18.8 cu.ft.
Among the competition, the CX-30 and Kona too are not far behind the Crosstrek, with their 20.2 and 19.2 cu-ft of cargo space respectively. Noteworthy is the fact that both these crossovers have shorter body length than the Crosstrek. The Buick Encore, which has the most compact proportions among all, has the most cramped cargo bay of just 18.8 cu-ft.
What are the key comfort features inside Subaru Crosstrek?
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek features more standard features on the inside. The generous interior features improve the value and somewhat resolves a few complaints from the enthusiasts.
Dual illuminating vanity mirrors
Leather steering wheel
Climate control
Front seatback storage
Front and rear cupholders
Interior air filtration
Transmission, cruise and audio controls on steering wheel
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek lets you know of its motivated character, the moment you look at it. As part of its sports moniker, it gets black cladding throughout its body. Be it the simplistic Subaru grille at the front, followed by a lower bumper, side body cladding, large wheel arches or the rear side bumpers, everything is wrapped in the black cladding.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek three quarter view
To further accentuate its raw vibe, the Crosstrek also gets black roof rails, which can also be had with crossbars. The lighting units though remain similar to the earlier model. The lower trims get halogen headlights and fog lamps, whereas the Limited trim gets a full LED adaptive headlights.
Models
Subaru Crosstrek Premium
Mazda CX-30 Preferred
Hyundai Kona Limited
Buick Encore Sport Touring
Curb Weight
3117 lbs
3232 lbs
3042 lbs
3237 lbs
Length
175.8"
173.0"
164.0"
168.4"
Width
71.0"
70.7"
70.9"
70.1"
Height
63.6"
61.7"
61.6"
65.3"
Ground Clearance
8.7"
6.9"
6.7"
6.2"
Wheelbase
104.9"
104.5"
102.4"
100.6"
Overall, the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek has a fairly balanced exterior appeal and a tall stance. It neither looks too humble as a mild crossover, like the Kona or CX-30 nor it is overly done like the Encore. Adding further to the Crosstrek’s balanced visuals is its long body that is actually an Impreza underneath and is indeed the longest in the segment.
What are the key Exterior Features in the Subaru Crosstrek?
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek gains quite some enhancement on the exterior front. Thanks to the new LED fog lamps, now standard on Limited model. For your reference, some of the key exterior features on the Subaru Crosstrek are listed below:
Daytime running lights
Front fog/driving lights
LED headlamp
turn signal in mirrors
Heated mirrors
Roof rails
Blacked out front and rear bumpers
Blacked out side body cladding and wheel arches
Two-speed windshield wipers with variable-intermittent mode and mist feature
Subaru’s are known to adhere to top-class safety standards and the 2020 Crosstrek is no exception. The Subaru Crosstrek received a 5-star rating in the crash-test conducted by the NHTSA for the 2020 model. Also, Crosstrek is a Top Safety Pick + for the year 2020, from the IIHS. The 2020 Crosstrek comes loaded with a bunch of modern safety features, and at a very affordable price. Some of the Crosstrek’s safety features are listed below.
Key standard safety features in 2020 Subaru Crosstrek
The 2020 year has brought a reason for the buyers to cheer about, as now you get more features under the same price. The standard safety features in the 2020 Crosstrek has been listed below for your reference.
Stability control
Dusk sensing headlamps
Adaptive headlights
Front and rear ventilated disc brakes
Emergency braking assist
Blindspot and lane departure warnings accident avoidance system
4-wheel ABS
Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
Remote anti-theft alarm system
Pre and Post- Collision safety system
Rearview camera
Dual-stage deployment driver and front-passenger front airbags
The Mazda CX-30 is indeed one of the best products in the sub-compact SUV territory. The humble CX-30 gets a more powerful and refined power train than the Crosstrek and is absolutely fun to drive. The Mazda also offers sporty handling and very responsive steering. It also has a more premium and modern interior and is also more rich in features and amenities. The Crosstrek, on the other hand, offers better interior and cargo space along with some very strong offroading DNA.
2020 Mazda CX-30
2020 Subaru Crosstrek vs Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona is a better driving car than the Subaru Crosstrek, owing to its compact dimensions. It gets a more energetic power train and actively communicative steering as well. The Kona offers a more comfortable ride than the Crosstrek and has more premium interiors with a similar features chart. Unlike the bit orthodoxical Crosstrek, the Kona flaunts a more modern and stylish exterior profile, having a better head-turning quotient. Where the Crosstrek aces ahead of the Kona are its enhanced sense of practicality and rugged offroading skills.
2020 Hyundai Kona
2020 Subaru Crosstrek vs Buick Encore
The Buick Encore is a kind of old school chap in the competition and gets completely washed away by its competition. The only area where the Encore topples the Crosstrek is its more premium and upscale cabin. Apart from this, the Crossstrek turns out to be a more preferred choice by every means. The Crosstrek is more comfortable than the Buick, and it drives and handles well. More spacious Crosstrek is reasonably more fuel-efficient than its Buick's counterpart. Above all, the Crosstrek gets some extra muscle to tackle some wilderness, that the Encore misses upon.
2020 Buick Encore
2020 Subaru Crosstrek Final Verdict
7.5/10
If you are looking for a daily driving subcompact SUV which can transform into a storm savior under a $25-$28K budget range, it's Subaru Crosstrek. The list is not over yet, the occasional hill station trips in mind, barely any other market offering in that price range can check all those boxes as precisely as the Subaru Crosstrek does. The 2020 Crosstrek offers a perfect blend of comfort, handling, safety and utility at an affordable price along with the prerequisite skills to make your wild trips easier and hassle-free.
Subaru has messed with the quality of the car to justify more expensive trims.
by Jeninne
7
User Overall Rating
Running across
Subaru crosstrek 2021 takes way more liberty with the price than it deserves
by Stephanie
5
User Overall Rating
Amazing ride for an adventure junky.
I really enjoy and love driving this car and it gives me great peace of mind when I'm on the road driving. I love the technology, the drive, the handle and the look of it and it matches my lifestyle and personality.
by Paulo R Abesamis
9
User Overall Rating
Has all the important things
Great on gas and very safe to drive! Subaru is known for making some of the best and most refined vehicles and Crosstrek is no different.
