Used 2021 Subaru Crosstrek for SaleNationwide

Compare 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Trims

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to adventure-ready models, all featuring AWD for enhanced capability.

• Starting at $18,395
• 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: $18,395 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 112 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: $19,137 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 4,161 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. It stands out with its sporty engine.

• Avg. market price: $20,941 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 1,464 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 in their compact SUV. It offers a premium driving experience.

• Avg. market price: $21,756 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 2,548 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Limited AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 4,161 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Base AWD

At $18,395 avg market price — below the lineup median of $20,039 — 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 October 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek cost?

Prices have softened 4.73% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,737 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

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 driving experience. The model also gets credit for handling that feels easy to live with, especially if you want something practical rather than sporty.

The trade-offs are familiar: sluggish performance and not much cargo space, plus outdated technology. That makes it a better fit if you want comfort, safety, and all-weather confidence rather than quick acceleration or a roomy cabin.

The market still shows 35.9% good or great deals, so you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?

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

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for value, safety, fuel economy, and comfortable daily driving. The expert review also describes Subaru as having a fairly good reputation for reliability, which supports the Crosstrek’s appeal as a long-term choice.

The Crosstrek’s powertrain and all-wheel-drive setup are presented as durable, everyday-friendly hardware rather than something finicky or high-strung. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about mechanical drama and more about finding a well-kept example that hasn’t been worn down by hard use or neglected maintenance.

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 guarantee perfect condition. A pre-purchase inspection is especially important if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with optional safety and tech equipment. Focus on overall condition, signs of wear, and whether the features you want are actually present on the trim you’re shopping.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base and Premium trims use the 2.0-liter engine and are more basic, while the Sport and Limited trims add the 2.5-liter engine. The interior is described as functional but somewhat plain-looking, and the Sport trim’s simulated carbon-fiber trim pieces are called out as cheap-looking, even though it adds water-repellant StarTex upholstery.
• Powertrain: The base and Premium trims keep the 2.0-liter boxer-four with 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, while the Sport and Limited get the 2.5-liter boxer-four with 182 hp and 176 lb-ft. The bigger engine is CVT-only, and the review notes that acceleration is still adequate but accompanied by plenty of droning from the CVT.
• 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, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a single-disc DC player, while an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation is standard on the Limited and optional on lower trims.
• 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.

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 least expensive way into the Crosstrek, and it gives you the core formula of standard all-wheel drive, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and the 2.0-liter engine with a manual transmission. It makes sense if you want the lowest entry price and are comfortable with the most basic equipment.
• Premium: This is the trim that most shoppers should start with because it keeps the lower-cost 2.0-liter setup but adds more convenience and tech than the base model. It’s the best-value choice if you want a more complete daily driver without jumping to the pricier engine upgrade.
• Sport: This trim brings the 2.5-liter engine, the water-repellant StarTex upholstery, and the more distinctive appearance and bad-weather character that come with the new-for-2021 addition. Choose it if you want more power and a more upscale-feeling cabin without going all the way to the top trim.
• 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.

On safety equipment, CVT-equipped models get the core EyeSight features, while the Limited adds more advanced driver aids as standard and makes them optional on Premium and Sport.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it rewards comparison shopping rather than impulse buying.

• Deal availability: 35.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,737 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.73% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,488, 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 $20,849 sits slightly below last year's $21,884.

That decline suggests the market has eased, which can help you as a buyer today but may temper short-term resale gains if you plan to sell soon. For a future seller, the key takeaway is that pricing has already adjusted downward, so holding value will depend more on condition, mileage, and equipment than on broad market momentum.

The Crosstrek’s strong reputation for value and safety should help keep demand steady among shoppers who want a small AWD crossover. Well-kept examples with desirable equipment are likely to remain easier to move than neglected ones.

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 earns 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 an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

EyeSight is the named 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 trim and optional on the Premium and Sport.

The main caveat is that the IIHS did not test the 2021 model directly, and the comparable 2020 Crosstrek’s Top Safety Pick result depended on optional EyeSight features and optional Steering Responsive Headlights. EyeSight’s camera-based system can also be limited by windshield wipers and direct sunlight.

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:

• 35.9% 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 4.73% 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 the right pick if you want the updated trim lineup and the stronger engine option while still keeping the model’s core strengths: standard AWD, good safety, and easy everyday livability. If you’re more price-sensitive, a nearby year may still make sense, but the 2021 is the better choice when you want the newer equipment and are willing to pay a bit more for it.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.