How much does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek cost?

Prices have softened 4.93% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,682 listings available, which suggests you have a meaningful amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $20,507.60, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek earns a 4.5/5 user rating and a 7.83/10 expert rating.

The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its value, safety features, fuel economy, and comfortable handling. They also tend to appreciate the all-wheel-drive confidence and the easygoing driving experience, even if some wish for more power and interior room.

The main trade-offs are sluggish performance and not much cargo space, and the technology is described as outdated. That makes it a better fit if you want a practical small vehicle with standard all-wheel drive and a strong safety focus than if you prioritize quick acceleration or a roomy cabin.

It also shows 34.1% good or great deals in the market, which is a healthy sign for shoppers comparing listings.

Is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?

Owners rate it 4.5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owners also describe it as dependable in the way they talk about its value, safety features, fuel economy, and comfortable handling, with a reputation that supports long-term ownership confidence. The expert review also points to Subaru’s fairly good reputation for reliability, and the model’s straightforward mechanical setup reinforces that impression.

The Crosstrek’s powertrain and all-wheel-drive system are built for everyday use, and the expert review notes that the cameras are better protected than grille-mounted systems used by some rivals, which may help avoid expensive repair bills after a minor fender bender.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a well-used example may show wear in the drivetrain, brakes, or suspension if it has been driven hard or maintained inconsistently.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free listings are common but not guaranteed. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the drivetrain, brakes, tires, and any signs of uneven wear. It also makes sense to pay close attention to cabin condition and cargo-area wear, since the model’s practicality is part of its appeal.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base and Premium trims keep the simpler setup, while the Sport and Limited add more equipment and a more upscale feel. The base trim also misses some of the safety and convenience content that appears higher in the lineup.
• Powertrain: The base and Premium trims use a 2.0-liter boxer-four with 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, while the Sport and Limited get a 2.5-liter boxer-four with 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. The manual is standard on Base and Premium, while the Sport and Limited are CVT only.
• Safety package: EyeSight is the driver-assistance suite, and CVT-equipped models get adaptive cruise control with lane centering, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Automatic high beams, reverse automatic braking, lane-change assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on the Limited and optional on the Premium and Sport.
• Infotainment: The standard setup is a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport add WiFi and SiriusXM, while the Limited gets an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 29 mpg combined (27 city/34 highway). The 2.0-liter engine is rated at 30 mpg combined (28 city/33 highway) with the CVT and 25 mpg combined (22 city/29 highway) with the manual.

Which 2021 Subaru Crosstrek trim should I buy?

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is offered in 4 trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: This is the most affordable way in, but it keeps the simpler powertrain and misses the extra convenience and safety content found higher up.
• Sweet-spot trim: The Premium trim is the best value for many shoppers because it adds useful equipment without jumping all the way to the pricier upper trims.
• Premium/top trim: The Limited is the most fully equipped choice, with the larger touchscreen and the most complete safety package.
• Off-road trim: The Sport adds the stronger engine and extra traction modes, but it is still best viewed as a daily driver with bad-weather capability rather than a true off-road specialist.

The Limited trim gets the most complete safety package, while Premium and Sport leave some driver-assistance features optional.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Subaru Crosstrek?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough price softness to create opportunities.

• Deal availability: 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,682 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.93% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,507.60, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek's resale value?

The current average of $21,399 sits slightly below last year's $22,510.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled a bit, which can help you buy more selectively now. For a future seller, the softer trend means resale upside may be more limited in the near term unless your vehicle is especially clean, well maintained, and well equipped.

Even so, the Crosstrek’s strong owner satisfaction and practical reputation should help support demand when you eventually sell. Models with the right trim and condition should remain appealing to shoppers who want standard all-wheel drive and good fuel economy.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek safe?

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek receives a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five-star ratings in side crash tests and four-star ratings in frontal and rollover crash tests.

It earns a 8/10 safety score from our experts.

EyeSight is the driver-assistance suite, and CVT-equipped models get standard adaptive cruise control with lane centering, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Automatic high beams, reverse automatic braking, lane-change assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on the Limited and optional on the Premium and Sport.

The main caveat is that the IIHS award cited for the closely related prior model depends on optional EyeSight features and optional Steering Responsive Headlights, so you should verify the exact equipment on any used example you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Prices have softened 4.93% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model adds the Sport trim, the available 2.5-liter engine, and an upgraded EyeSight system.

The bottom line: The 2021 Crosstrek makes sense if you want the updated lineup and a market that still offers some negotiating room. If you are especially price-sensitive, a nearby year may be worth comparing, but the 2021 stands out for its added powertrain choice and safety updates.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.