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 $17,514
• 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: $17,514 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 115 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 vehicle with added comfort features. It's the most popular trim in the lineup by a wide margin.

• Avg. market price: $19,152 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 29 hwy
• Inventory: 4,173 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 a balance of performance and efficiency without sacrificing features. It offers the best fuel economy in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $20,416 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 1,403 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 a compact SUV. It provides a premium experience for those who can afford it.

• Avg. market price: $21,246 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 2,569 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Limited AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Premium AWD

With 4,173 active listings, the Premium AWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Premium AWD listings

Best Budget Option — Base AWD

At $17,514 avg market price — below the lineup median of $19,784 — 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 at 27/34 MPG/MPGe, making it ideal for efficiency-focused shoppers.

Browse Sport AWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 5, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek cost?

Prices have softened 4.58% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,697 listings available, which suggests you have 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 7.8/10 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 overview also points to a practical, safety-focused small crossover with standard all-wheel drive and a comfortable ride, which fits buyers who want everyday usability over flash.

The trade-offs are clear: the expert review calls out sluggish performance and not much cargo space, and owners also note that power and acceleration can feel lacking. Even so, the market still shows 37.8% of listings as good or great deals, which supports the case for shoppers who prioritize value.

Is the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek reliable?

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

The owner summary highlights reliability-adjacent themes like value, safety, fuel economy, and a comfortable driving experience, while also pointing to a vehicle that many owners feel good about living with over time. The expert review adds that Subaru has a fairly good reputation for reliability, and the Crosstrek’s standard all-wheel drive and straightforward powertrain setup reinforce that impression.

The performance write-up also emphasizes a lower center of gravity from the boxer engine layout, which can help with handling balance, while the cost-effectiveness section notes Subaru’s five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is more about modest performance and feature age than major complexity.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on wear, maintenance history, and whether the vehicle’s condition matches its mileage and asking price. It also makes sense to pay close attention to how the cabin and cargo area have held up, since space and practicality are key parts of the Crosstrek’s appeal.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base and Premium trims keep the simpler setup, while the Sport and Limited add the 2.5-liter engine and more equipment. The interior is described as functional but somewhat plain-looking, and the Sport trim’s StarTex upholstery is a useful durability perk if you want easier cleanup.
• Powertrain: The standard 2.0-liter boxer-four makes 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, while the available 2.5-liter boxer-four makes 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The bigger engine is standard on the Sport and Limited trims, and the CVT-only setup on those trims means you give up the manual transmission to get it.
• Safety package: Subaru’s EyeSight system uses stereo cameras and, on CVT-equipped models, includes 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.
• Infotainment: The standard setup includes a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims add WiFi and SiriusXM, while the Limited gets an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation standard.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.0-liter engine is rated at 30 mpg combined with the CVT, or 25 mpg combined with the manual transmission. The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 29 mpg combined.

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 simplest way into the Crosstrek, and it keeps the standard all-wheel drive and basic infotainment setup. It makes sense if you want the lowest entry point and are comfortable with fewer convenience and safety extras.
• Premium: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more everyday usability without jumping all the way to the pricier upper trims. It also opens the door to more available safety and tech features, making it a smart middle ground.
• Sport: This trim brings the 2.5-liter engine, which is the main reason to move up if you want stronger acceleration. It also adds a more distinctive interior treatment and extra drive modes for loose surfaces.
• Limited: This is the most fully equipped version, with the 8-inch touchscreen and the most complete safety feature set. Choose it if you want the most comfort and convenience features in one package.

Safety-package note: blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and automatic high beams are standard on the Limited and optional on the Premium and Sport.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but should move quickly on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 37.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,697 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.58% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $20,481, 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 $20,499 sits slightly below last year's $21,482.

That decline suggests the market has become a bit more favorable for buyers, which can make resale planning more important if you expect to sell in the near future. A softer price environment can limit how much value you recover, especially if your vehicle has average mileage or visible wear.

At the same time, the Crosstrek’s broad appeal helps support demand. Buyers tend to respond well to its standard all-wheel drive, safety reputation, and practical size, which can help keep resale interest steady even when prices ease.

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.

Subaru’s EyeSight system uses stereo cameras mounted behind the windshield, 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 trim and optional on the Premium and Sport.

The main caveat is that the camera-based system 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 rival systems, which may help avoid expensive repair bills after a minor impact.

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:

• 37.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.58% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model adds a new Sport trim, an available 2.5-liter engine, and an upgraded EyeSight system.

The bottom line: The 2021 Crosstrek is a strong pick if you want the updated trim lineup and the added powertrain choice, especially since pricing has softened and inventory is healthy. If you are especially price-sensitive, a nearby model year may still make sense, but the 2021 gives you a good balance of value, safety, and feature content.

How does the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek compare to the 2021 Honda HR-V?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Subaru Crosstrek:

• Pros: Great ride quality, Standard advanced safety features, Standard all-wheel drive.
• Cons: Sluggish performance, Not much cargo space, Outdated technology.

2021 Honda HR-V:

• Pros: Fun to drive, Comfortable, Standard advanced safety features.
• Cons: Poor visibility, Outdated technology.

Our experts score the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek 7.8/10 and the 2021 Honda HR-V 6.8/10. The Crosstrek leans harder into standard all-wheel drive and ride quality, while the HR-V’s strengths are more about being fun to drive and comfortable. Both have outdated technology, but the Crosstrek’s sluggish performance and limited cargo space are the main trade-offs to keep in mind.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.