Used 2021 Subaru Crosstrek for Sale near Iowa

Compare 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Trims

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offers a range of trims from budget-friendly to adventure-ready, all featuring AWD for versatile driving.

• Starting at $18,872
• Best MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Most Popular: Premium AWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

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Trim Deep Dives

Base AWD — "Who It's For"

The Base AWD is the pick for shoppers who want essential features without paying for extras. It's the most budget-friendly option in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $18,872 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 80 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View Base AWD listings

Premium AWD — "Who It's For"

The Premium AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded package with added comfort features. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup by a wide margin.

• Avg. market price: $19,356 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 3,849 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Premium AWD listings

Sport AWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport AWD is the pick for shoppers who want enhanced performance and fuel efficiency without sacrificing features.

• Avg. market price: $21,101 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 1,372 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Sport AWD listings

Limited AWD — "Who It's For"

The Limited AWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and advanced technology for their adventures.

• Avg. market price: $22,181 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 2,472 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Limited AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 3,849 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Base AWD

At $18,872 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,228 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse Base AWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — Sport AWD

The Sport AWD offers the best fuel economy with 27 MPG city and 34 MPG highway.

Browse Sport AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 12, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek cost?

Prices have softened 5.92% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,646 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory for used shoppers.

Is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek a good car?

Yes — the 4.5/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the Crosstrek earns an 7.83/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its value, safety features, and fuel economy, and they also like the comfortable driving experience and handling. The main trade-offs are sluggish performance and less room inside than some shoppers expect.

That fits the Crosstrek’s role as a practical small crossover with a raised ride height, standard all-wheel drive, and everyday usability at the center of the package. Good and great deals account for 35.4% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable in daily use, with praise for value, safety features, fuel economy, and a comfortable driving experience. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that Subaru has a fairly good reputation for reliability, and the Crosstrek’s practical design supports trouble-free ownership for many buyers.

Subaru’s five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty are average for the segment, so long-term ownership risk is mostly about finding a well-kept example rather than expecting standout warranty coverage.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status does not replace a close look at maintenance records and prior repairs. A pre-purchase inspection should focus on how the drivetrain, brakes, tires, and interior have held up, especially if the car has seen a lot of commuting or winter use. Pay extra attention to condition on higher-mileage examples, since the Crosstrek’s value depends heavily on how well it has been maintained.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base and Premium trims keep the smaller 2.0-liter engine, while the Sport and Limited trims add the 2.5-liter engine. The interior is functional but somewhat plain-looking, and the Sport trim’s water-repellant StarTex upholstery is a useful upgrade if you want a more durable cabin.
• Powertrain: The 2.5-liter boxer-four makes 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.0-liter boxer-four makes 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The manual transmission is still available on Base and Premium, but 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 uses a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport add WiFi, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a single-disc CD player, while the Limited gets an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 29 mpg combined, 27 mpg city, and 34 mpg highway. The 2.0-liter engine is rated at 30 mpg combined, 28 mpg city, and 33 mpg highway with the CVT, or 25 mpg combined, 22 mpg city, and 29 mpg highway with the manual transmission.

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: This is the entry point if you want the Crosstrek’s standard all-wheel drive and practical character at the lowest price. It keeps the smaller 2.0-liter engine and the simpler infotainment setup, so it makes sense if you care more about value than extra equipment.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds useful equipment without jumping all the way to the pricier upper trims. It still uses the 2.0-liter engine, but it brings more convenience and tech than the Base.
• Sport: This is the trim to choose if you want the stronger 2.5-liter engine and a more distinctive cabin. It also gets the water-repellant StarTex upholstery, which makes it a smart pick if you want a more durable, adventure-friendly interior.
• Limited: This is the most fully equipped version, with the 2.5-liter engine, the 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, and the most complete safety feature set. It suits you best if you want the most content and are willing to pay for it.

Limited trim models get the fullest safety package, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert remain optional on Premium and Sport.

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

This looks like a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 35.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,646 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.92% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,494, 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 $20,969 sits slightly below last year's $22,289.

That softer pricing suggests the Crosstrek has become a bit more buyer-friendly in the used market, which can help you if you are shopping now. For a future seller, it means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment rather than assuming the market will stay elevated. Well-kept examples with desirable features should still draw interest, but the recent price decline shows there is some pressure on values.

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 received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests.

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

EyeSight is the driver-assistance suite, and it uses stereo cameras mounted behind the windshield. For 2021, 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 trim and optional on the Premium and Sport.

One caveat is that the EyeSight cameras can be blocked by windshield wipers or washed out in direct sunlight, which can temporarily disable driver aids. The upside is that the cameras are better protected than some grille-mounted systems, which may help avoid expensive repair bills after minor impacts.

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:

• 35.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.92% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model adds a new Sport trim, a 2.5-liter engine option, and an upgraded EyeSight system.

The bottom line: The 2021 Crosstrek is a strong choice if you want the updated trim and powertrain mix, plus the improved safety story. If your priority is stretching your budget as far as possible, a nearby year may be worth comparing, but the 2021 gives you a good balance of value, safety, and everyday usability.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.