The Crosstrek is the car owners forgive. It’s slow, and they know it’s slow, and they recommend it anyway — because it’s cheap to run, goes anywhere in the snow, and doesn’t break. About 68% of owners say they’d buy another. This is the Crosstrek as owners describe living with it, power complaint and all.
What it is
A Subaru Impreza hatchback lifted into a subcompact SUV: standard AWD, real ground clearance, and the class’s best “I can take this to a trailhead” credibility for the money. First generation 2013–2017, second 2018–2023, third 2024+.
What owners love
- It’s cheap to own. Average annual repair around $492 — below average — and owners routinely report 100,000+ miles on basic maintenance.
- It goes anywhere. Standard AWD plus genuine clearance make it the “fuel-sipping adventurer” owners bought it to be.
- It sips fuel. Real-world economy is a repeated positive, rare for AWD.
- It just works. Ruggedness and low maintenance needs are the recurring theme in long-term owner reports.
What owners complain about
- Power — the defining gripe. Acceleration is its weakest trait, full stop. Loaded or uphill, the base 2.0L runs out of breath, and it’s the one thing owners warn buyers about.
- Fit and finish. A minority report rattles, chipping paint, and faster depreciation than expected.
- The usual Subaru quirks. Front seats, infotainment, and EyeSight sensitivity come up here like they do across the lineup.
- Early-car mechanicals. Some report oil consumption or premature CVT issues, concentrated on the older cars.
Which trim (and engine) is actually worth it
Engine matters more than trim here. The single best fix for the Crosstrek’s power complaint isn’t a trim — it’s the 2.5L engine (later Sport and up) instead of the base 2.0L. Decide on engine first; then pick a trim for features.
| Trim | What you’re paying for | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| Base | AWD + EyeSight (manual on early cars) | Fine if you’ll add nothing |
| Premium | The everyday features most owners want | Value pick |
| Sport | Styling + the bigger 2.5L on later cars | The power answer |
| Limited | Leather + tech | Comfort, not capability |
Reliability in one paragraph. Broadly reliable and cheap to run, with one exception: the 2013–2015 first-gen cars carry the Lineartronic CVT problems. Subaru revised the CVT from 2016 and reliability improved markedly. Full breakdown: Crosstrek years to avoid.
The verdict
The Crosstrek is an easy car to recommend to the right person: someone who values running costs, snow capability, and durability over straight-line speed. If you need to merge onto fast highways daily, find a 2.5L car or look elsewhere. If you don’t, it’s one of the most forgiving, low-cost ways into a go-anywhere Subaru — which is exactly why so many owners buy a second one.
How we researched this. This profile aggregates owner sentiment from owner surveys and reviews (SlashGear’s owner roundup, TrueDelta), reliability write-ups, and cost data. We haven’t lived with this car ourselves and don’t pretend to. Individual cars vary; for a used purchase, a pre-purchase inspection beats any generalization.
FAQ
Is the Subaru Crosstrek worth buying?
Owner sentiment is mostly positive — around 68% of owners recommend it — and it's cheap to run, with average annual repair costs near $492, below average for the class. Owners regularly report 100,000+ miles on basic maintenance. The main thing to make peace with is power: it's the most-cited complaint.
Is the Crosstrek underpowered?
Yes, and owners say so plainly — acceleration is its weakest trait, especially fully loaded or uphill. The base 2.0L is the culprit; the 2.5L engine (later Sport and higher trims) meaningfully helps. If highway merging and passing matter to you, seek out a 2.5L car.
Which Crosstrek trim is best?
Premium is the value volume trim for daily features. But the more important choice on the Crosstrek is engine, not trim: the 2.5L (found on later Sport and up) is the fix for the power complaint. Match the engine to your driving first, then pick the trim for features.
Are Crosstreks reliable?
Broadly yes, with low running costs and owners reaching well past 100k miles. The exception is the 2013–2015 first-generation cars, which carry the Lineartronic CVT problems. Subaru revised the CVT from 2016, and reliability improved markedly after.