Used Guide: 2018-2023 Subaru Crosstrek

The second-generation Subaru Crosstrek arrived successful North America for model-year 2018 with an all-new look and platform, a caller 2.0L engine, a caller six-speed manual transmission arsenic modular equipment, and a assortment of upgrades to the AWD strategy and driver-assistance packages. The second-generation Crosstrek ran a caller multimedia strategy with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay arsenic modular from 2018 arsenic well.

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This procreation of the Crosstrek rode a longer wheelbase, which provided much country successful the cabin. Rear legroom measures successful astatine 927 mm (36.5 inches), a 28-mm (1.1-inch) summation implicit its predecessor.

Brand loyalty tends to beryllium beardown among Subaru owners, and if you’re considering making the upgrade to this second-generation Crosstrek from a first-generation machine, you’ll find a fewer notable differences.

Cargo measurement with the seats folded flat, for instance, is 6.5 per cent amended successful the 2018 Crosstrek, but cargo measurement with the seats up drops by 7 per cent. Still, the wide disposable level magnitude successful either seating configuration remains virtually identical.

On wheelbase, width, and some front- and rear-track measurements, the 2018+ Crosstrek grows by immoderate 2-3 centimetres (roughly an inch) successful each dimension.

Under the hood, look for a 2.0L level four-cylinder motor with horsepower and torque pegged astatine 152 and 145, respectively. Transmission choices included a manual six-speed oregon continuously adaptable transmission (CVT). Compared to the previous-generation Crosstrek, substance system is similar.

Key competitors see the Honda HR-V, Volkswagen Taos, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-3, and Chevrolet Trax.

Follow the links beneath for further features, news, reviews, and specifications connected the Subaru Crosstrek, and work connected for 5 tips to assistance marque definite you find the champion utilized exemplary imaginable for your dollar.

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Model-year changes

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Photo by Justin Pritchard /Driving

The Subaru Crosstrek‘s 2nd procreation spanned six exemplary years, with a tiny fig of notable updates applied during that period.

For 2019, nary large changes were applied different than updated infotainment strategy bundle that helped guarantee smoother operation.

For the 2021 exemplary year, a larger 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer motor became available, offering shoppers a boost of 30 horsepower versus the basal 2.0L unit. The much rugged ‘Outdoor’ mentation of the Crosstrek launched for 2021 arsenic well, and included the 2.5-litre motor arsenic standard. The beforehand grille besides got a redesign, and instrumentality designs were refined. A heated steering instrumentality became modular connected Touring and Sport models, too.

Caring for the transmission fluid and motor oil

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Photo by Justin Pritchard /Driving

Check the motor lipid according to the instructions successful the owner’s manual. Ensure the conveyance hasn’t been driven oregon pre-warmed conscionable earlier your arrival. If it has been, crook the motor disconnected for astatine slightest 5 minutes earlier checking the lipid level. When checking the oil, enactment the level and condition, and inquire the seller to beryllium that they were accordant with lipid changes by providing work records oregon receipts.

According to the Crosstrek’s owner’s manual, motor lipid depletion tin beryllium affected by factors specified arsenic transmission type, driving style, terrain, and temperature. Oil depletion tin accrued nether a wide scope of conditions, requiring a level cheque and imaginable top-off astatine each 2nd substance fill. Hard driving, motor braking, towing, agelong idle periods, and usage successful dense postulation tin each summation lipid consumption, according to the manual. If the lipid depletion complaint is greater than expected, it is advised to interaction an authorized trader for a further test.

To summarize, checking your lipid religiously and reporting immoderate accelerated depletion to your dealership arsenic soon arsenic imaginable is an fantabulous idea.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Photo by Justin Pritchard /Driving

According to the owner’s manual, determination is nary request to cheque oregon alteration the fluid successful either of the Crosstrek’s disposable transmissions. Still, transmission inspections and fluid inspections are recommended successful the attraction schedule. Some owners take to alteration their transmission fluid regularly, possibly each 50,000 kilometres. Though not required, this tin assistance widen the beingness of the transmission.

Note that usage of improper fluid to refill the transmission tin effect successful harm oregon deterioration that’s not covered by warranty. If you take to person the transmission fluid successful your Crosstrek changed, ever person this enactment performed successful a trader setting.

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Head portion problems

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Photo by Brian Harper /Driving

According to net queries and dialogue, immoderate owners person experienced respective issues with the Subaru Crosstrek‘s infotainment system, particularly connected 2018 exemplary twelvemonth units; astir person not.

In assorted proprietor discussions, occupation signs to look retired for see static noises from the beforehand dashboard talker adjacent erstwhile the car is off, an infotainment surface that goes blank erstwhile receiving an incoming call, a strategy that randomly crashes astatine startup, washed-out colours successful the display, Bluetooth connections that drop, and random strategy reboots.

In immoderate cases, owners accidental respective trader visits were required to remedy these issues acceptably. While cautiously checking the Crosstrek’s infotainment strategy connected your trial drive, beryllium definite the backup camera works arsenic expected erstwhile reversing, and corroborate that each built-in navigation mapping bundle is up to date.

Confirm an capable fig of charging ports and powerfulness points arsenic well, confirming that each works arsenic expected.

Automatic start-stop and battery

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Photo by Brian Harper /Driving

Some owners person reported sluggish operation, dilatory restarts, mistake messages, and non-functionality of the Crosstrek’s automatic start-stop system; astir person not.

The strategy restarts the Crosstrek’s motor erstwhile the operator releases the brakes, which reduces wasteful idling. The motor should restart rapidly successful fractions of a second, and beryllium up and moving by clip your ft moves from the brake backmost to the accelerator. Note that the strategy is automatically disabled successful definite situations; your owner’s manual has the scoop.

If the motor is dilatory to restart, fails to restart, oregon restarts with a informing airy oregon mistake message, person the conveyance seen by a technician earlier you buy. In astir discussions, problems similar these thin to look astatine 2-4 years aged and are commonly the effect of a anemic oregon dying battery.

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Power-loss phenomenon

2020 Subaru Crosstrek Photo by Brian Harper /Driving

Some owners person reported a unusual nonaccomplishment of powerfulness from the Crosstrek’s motor successful a precise circumstantial situation; astir person not.

If you announcement this contented connected your trial drive, determination could beryllium thing incorrect with the engine, computer, oregon programming successful the Crosstrek you’re considering.

According to 1 adept proprietor successful this discussion, test-driving shoppers whitethorn beryllium capable to induce this information by rolling into the throttle to astir 40 per cent exertion from 2,300 to 2,700 RPM nether a dense load, possibly driving up a steep hill.

If you consciousness the motor ‘bog down’ astir 2,500 RPM, oregon if throttle effect seems astir non-existent for a moment, person the conveyance seen by a technician. Owners person reported that dealers whitethorn beryllium capable to instal updated bundle that tends to amended motor cognition and hole this issue.

Final Thought

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Photo by Justin Pritchard /Driving

These tips are designed to assistance test-driving shoppers much easy place imaginable occupation areas reported by immoderate owners. An attentive test-drive and buying process that focuses connected the areas supra tin assistance you find a first-class illustration of a second-hand 2018-2023 Subaru Crosstrek.