Best And Worst Years for Subaru Crosstrek (2023 Updated)
This crossover model has all the usefulness and convenience of an SUV, but it also has a lower center of gravity, which helps it stay stable on uneven ground.
It also has a higher ground clearance, meaning you can drive it in extreme weather like heavy snow or mud. If you like to spend time in nature, this SUV is perfect.
Many drivers like the new look of the Subaru Crosstrek. But things haven’t always been this way. Here, we rank and discuss the best and worst years for Subaru Crosstrek. Do research to determine which model year is best for your needs so you don’t buy a lemon.
Must Check: What Are The Best And Worst Years For The Subaru Outback?
Best Years For The Subaru Crosstrek
Several great Crosstrek models can be bought right now. Here are just a few of the best years for Subaru Crosstrek.
2012
Even though the 2012 Subaru Crosstrek isn’t as good as the first models, it’s still a strong contender and a good addition to the lineup.
Since it was the first model to replace the Impreza and the Outback, the 2012 model was met with doubt.
These best years for Subaru Crosstrek had three different trim levels, each with different seats and whether or not it had a sunroof.
The car’s platform was the Subaru Impreza, which gave it 8.7 inches of ground clearance and won over fans of the Impreza series, which is no longer made.
All-wheel drive and heated front seats came as standard, and the dashboard was beautifully made. The car got great gas mileage and visibility on the road.
2014
A few years have passed since our last model, and now we have the very popular 2014 Subaru Crosstrek.
There were only two trim levels, and they were almost the same in every way as the 2012 Crosstrek (including the 8.7-inch ground clearance and general Subaru Impreza vibe).
This most reliable year for Subaru Crosstrek came with all-wheel drive and heated front seats as standard, and you could get it with a manual or automatic transmission.
Because there was a lot of room for people and things and the dashboard was smart and stylish, driving or riding in this car was sure to be a pleasant experience.
It was easy to drive and got good gas mileage. Because the driver’s seat was higher in this design, there were no problems with seeing.
2015
Many people think that the 2015 Subaru Crosstrek is the brand’s best all-around car, and they’re right.
The car is a five-seat Wagon like the popular Impreza, and happy customers have said great things about it. When it first came out, it came in three different flavors, including premium and limited-edition ones.
The hatchback shape, which was taken from the Impreza, gave the car a lot of space inside and made it both useful and good-looking.
It was a standard all-wheel-drive vehicle with an 8.7-inch ground clearance, hybrid options, and a CVT or automatic gearbox.
The most reliable year for Subaru Crosstrek was built, so the driver was higher than in other cars, giving the driver a unique experience.
The front and back seats of the wagon were roomy and comfortable, and the car’s large trunk made it perfect for family road trips.
The elevated driver’s seat gave the driver a great forward and backward view.
The inside dashboard’s design was simple and high-end, with clean controls for the temperature and an easy-to-use interface.
2020
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek is one of the most cutting-edge SUVs on the market. The 2015 model, on the other hand, is for people who want a more basic car.
This five-seater comes in the same three trim levels as the 2015 model: base, upper, and premium.
No matter which trim you choose, the car’s cutting-edge safety systems will protect you in the event of an accident. The car’s easy-to-use controls and the quiet ride would make it even less likely that it would get into an accident.
Not only did it have a big interior for passengers and cargo, but the best years for Subaru Crosstrek also got a lot of miles per gallon.
The automatic climate control and the availability of smartphone integration software like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay also made the ride more comfortable and easy.
2021
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is a step up from the current lineup. It follows the brand’s tradition of making reliable, long-lasting cars that customers like.
This model’s four trims are the same as those of the last generation, plus the sports trim, which is the brand’s second-most expensive option.
With its updated looks and standard all-wheel drive, this model was a great choice for driving in the snow.
The most reliable year for Subaru Crosstrek came with a new, larger engine option, both manual and automatic transmissions, and more driver-assistance features.
The model was powerful and comfortable enough for the whole family to ride in. This is because the car’s interior is very nice and has a lot of space for passengers to carry things.
2022
The new Subaru Crosstrek is almost as dependable as the model it replaces, the 2020 Subaru Outback, with a few notable upgrades.
The standard model only has 150 HP, but the 2.5L turbo engine can generate up to 182 HP.
You may link your phone to the well-conceived infotainment system and use it for hands-free phone calls and music streaming.
The interior is peaceful and does not let in too much outside noise, making for a pleasant driving experience. The chairs are accommodating, even for those who are particularly tall.
Furthermore, the inside layout is well thought out, making it simple to access frequently used features like the air conditioner and radio.
The best years for Subaru Crosstrek deliver crisp, distortion-free audio even at maximum volume when equipped with the optional Harmon Kardon sound system.
As a bonus, it boasts 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which is more than the 8.5 inches suggested for off-roading. In my opinion, this makes it an excellent choice for a crossover SUV.
2023
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek has a lot going for it: it has standard all-wheel drive, a roomy cabin, a comfortable ride, and a wide variety of advanced driver-assistance technology options. However, its lackluster standard engine and uninspired cabin dull its otherwise outstanding attractiveness.
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is an exciting and adaptable SUV that caters to those thirsty for adventure. The best years for Subaru Crosstrek standard symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) and traction control systems make it easy to drive in the snow and ice of the Midwest in the dead of winter.
Worst Years For The Subaru Crosstrek
If you buy the worst years for Subaru Crosstrek, it might have a lot of problems and be hard to use. To stay away from these years:
2013
Since the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek was the company’s second-youngest vehicle, poor sales were to be expected. But this was a huge letdown since the 2012 Crosstrek had already proven to be a good replacement for the Outback and Impreza.
The worst thing about the 2013 model was that the wheel bearings could break. When this happened, the car was hard to steer, and the tires wore out quickly.
The owners were also unhappy with the car, making the overall score low. The worst years for Subaru Crosstrek engine stopped running because one of two problems, a broken valve spring, caused it to stop.
Then came the bad news that too much oil was being used. The gearbox broke down, and the car wasn’t very good in the snow.
2016
This model is probably even more well-known than the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek. This might be because it was well-known before the 2019 model year.
Also, the model was part of a big recall that affected more than 1.3 million cars, so that could be a reason.
The worst years for Subaru Crosstrek has a wide range of small problems that have led to many complaints from owners.
Most of the time, the problem was that the key would get stuck in the ignition. Moving the key back and forth several times before it would let go would be inconvenient.
When driving, the engine often stops and does strange things. This is especially dangerous at high speeds. The huge recall happened because the brake lights did not light up.
2017
The 2017 Subaru Crosstrek was in between the 2016 and 2018 models, and most people thought it was a letdown. But it was the first time that the XV suffix was taken off of a Crosstrek, so it was the start of a new generation.
However, the model didn’t get away without criticism because a few buyers had trouble with their purchases.
The brake lights on the 2017 Crosstrek were broken, so the model year was recalled along with 1.3 million other cars.
Because of this problem, the chance of a crash increased because drivers weren’t being told when the car in front of them hit the brakes.
Unexpected acceleration was a common problem with the model that could have killed someone. Because of these two problems, driving or riding in this car is very dangerous because it makes it more likely that you will get into an accident.
2018
The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek has been criticized by many people, and with good reason. It is the weakest car the brand makes.
That’s because the model has had so many problems, most of which affect how it looks and works inside. The NHSTA got a lot of complaints about the engine, and there were also problems with the suspension and the body.
All the problems inside were caused by the radio. Not only did it break down often, but even when it worked, parts of the frames would freeze like a camera.
Several people told the NHSTA that the windshield was cracking and chipping for no clear reason.
The peeling paint isn’t the only thing that needs to be fixed on the outside. Their suspension was also not very good because the back end moved around a lot. A loud boom would go along with this.
2019
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration singled out the 2019 Subaru Outback for several problems. The car was the subject of at least seven separate recalls, each affecting more than 400,000 vehicles.
Inevitably, more drivers would worry about the safety risks of windshields breaking for no apparent reason, making a bad situation even worse.
The worst years for Subaru Crosstrek couldn’t be said about the radio inside, which hadn’t been fixed. It has spread to other areas, like the USB connection and Starlink failure, which often happened.
People also didn’t like that the car’s battery was said to die quickly.
Two batteries in just two years? That’s ridiculous, as are reports of other random problems like the back stabilizing nuts coming loose and ECM software faults.
FAQs About Best & Worst Subaru Crosstrek Years
Which Crosstrek model is best?
The basic Crosstrek offers the greatest compact SUV value for 2023, while the Crosstrek Hybrid has the best fuel efficiency. The Crosstrek Hybrid is a niche product because of its high price relative to the base model. In terms of cost-effectiveness and gas mileage, the 2023 Crosstrek Premium is your best bet.
How reliable are Subaru Crosstreks?
That is a question that can only be answered by looking at the specific model in question. The reliability has fluctuated throughout the years, with some models being quite dependable and others less. This means that you should look at how the dependability of various Crosstrek models stacks up against one another.
Are used Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
The used Crosstrek’s 4.5 out of 5 Reliability Rating is quite high. The Crosstrek is the best-selling small SUV on the market, beating out the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
What is the lifespan of a Subaru Crosstrek?
That is contingent on several aspects, including how well you maintain your SUV. However, the average SUV nowadays can be expected to last between 200,000 and 250,000 miles, considered a respectable lifespan. It has a long useful life expectancy of around 15 years.
Is Subaru Crosstrek high maintenance?
Over the first decade of ownership, a Subaru Crosstrek will need around $7,915 in repairs and upkeep. Compare that to the average price of a popular SUV, and you’ll see that this is a $1,218 save. A Crosstrek has a 23.97% probability of requiring significant maintenance throughout that period.
Conclusion
The Subaru Crosstrek was first made to replace the Impreza and Outback in markets worldwide. However, it quickly developed its style and won praise from both drivers and critics.
There may be too many recalls and mediocre models like the 2018 Crosstrek in the lineup, but there are also great cars like the 2015 and 2020.
When looking for a new SUV or wagon, you should consider the Subaru Crosstrek lineup seriously. It is strong in both the best and worst years for Subaru Crosstrek.
