The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek can best be described as a lifted Impreza 5-door with an advanced all-wheel-drive system and a more rugged exterior. Beyond its ability to tackle light off-road situations, the Crosstrek feels quite civilized. It has a roomy interior, loads of available equipment, and an impressive portfolio of driver-assist systems.
The various Crosstrek trims provide a wide variation on a theme, offering everything from a manual transmission with zero driver-assist systems to a loaded Limited with an upgraded powertrain. There’s even a plug-in hybrid model, although it doesn’t deliver Prius-like fuel economy figures.
2022 Subaru Crosstrek (starting at $22,445, 6MT), ($23,795, CVT)
The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek starts at $22,445.
The least expensive Crosstrek is also one of the least complex. That’s because buyers who opt for the 6-speed manual get a very different Crosstrek than those with the CVT automatic.
Both cars come with a 152-horsepower 2.0-liter engine and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. However, when equipped with the manual transmission, Subaru deletes its advanced EyeSight suite of driver assists.
The Crosstrek 6MT’s asking price includes 17-inch alloy wheels, auto-off halogen headlights, power side mirrors, black roof rails, and deep-tinted rear privacy glass. Intermittent front wipers and a rear wiper/washer are also standard.
Cabin amenities include a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with cruise, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and audio controls. A 6-way adjustable manual driver’s seat comes standard but lacks lumbar support. Other conveniences of note include one-touch up/down front power windows, single-zone automatic climate control, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, power door locks with remote keyless entry, and a multi-function display.
The Crosstrek’s infotainment system is simple but sufficient. It features a 6.5-inch color touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a rear backup camera, and a four-speaker stereo. Those wanting satellite radio or a CD player will need to move up to the Premium trim, as neither is available on the base model.
Mechanical features for the Crosstrek 6MT include a viscous-coupling center differential that continuously splits power 50/50 between the front and rear axles. Incline start assist prevents the Crosstrek from rolling backward when stopped on a steep hill, and a tire pressure monitoring system keeps tabs on tire pressure. Subaru’s Active Torque Vectoring keeps the vehicle stable in sharp curves by routing power to the outside wheel with the best traction.
When equipped with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), the Crosstrek gets an advanced electronic all-wheel-drive setup capable of proportioning power between axles. This system provides better traction when needed and better fuel economy when not. You’ll have to get used to the standard auto start/stop but will appreciate hill descent control and SI-DRIVE, the latter allowing the driver to choose throttle mapping and shift points for better performance or fuel economy.
Opting for the CVT brings Subaru’s X-Mode that provides better power distribution at low speeds, helping the tires achieve a better grip on slippery or rugged terrain.
On the safety front, the Crosstrek CVT includes forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Also in the mix is a high-grade instrument cluster with color 4.2-inch LCD, overhead console down lighting, individual tire pressure monitoring, and Subaru’s Rear Seat Reminder that prompts the driver to check the rear seat before leaving and locking the vehicle.
There are no factory option packages for the base Crosstrek. Still, Subaru does offer a plethora of dealer-installed options ranging from a Rockford Fosgate audio upgrade to various roof-mounted cargo and equipment carrying devices.
With the $1,125 destination charge, the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek CVT costs $24,920. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to $448. See 2022 Subaru Crosstrek models for sale
2022 Subaru Crosstrek includes:
Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive – Standard all-wheel-drive ensures year-round traction on all road surfaces without significant fuel consumption penalties.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – No need to pay for a fancy audio upgrade with these two features. Just plug in your Apple or Android device and gain instant access to apps, music, navigation, and messages, all via the car’s touch-screen infotainment system.
Automatic climate control – Works like your home’s thermostat. Just set the desired temperature, and the system automatically maintains it.
Available EyeSight driver-assist – Standard with the CVT automatic, this system can help prevent collisions and make driving a bit less stressful.
2022 Subaru Crosstrek Premium (starting at $23,595, 6MT/$24,945, CVT)
The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Premium starts at $23,595.
The Crosstrek Premium brings a few extra features we like. For the money, we feel it’s a better choice than the base car, especially for those living in colder regions. Like the base Crosstrek, the Premium trim comes standard with a manual transmission and 2.0-liter engine. And like the base model, it follows the same formula for adding the EyeSight driver-assist systems and more advanced AWD setup when ordering the CVT.
Additional standard equipment over the base Crosstrek includes heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a windshield-wiper de-icer. Also standard are fog lights, body-colored side mirror caps, automatic headlights linked to windshield wiper activation, and welcome lighting.
The Premium gets an updated audio system with SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, two front USB ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot (requires subscription), and two more speakers for a total of six. Subaru’s Starlink connected services are also available, offering features such as remote start with climate control settings, stolen vehicle recovery, and maintenance reminders. A one-year trial subscription to the Safety Plus Package is standard.
A leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-wrapped shift knob, a lighted ignition key ring, and a rear cargo cover are all standard, as is illumination for the rear window switches, glovebox, and vanity mirrors.
There is one option package for the Premium. It includes a power moonroof, blind-spot monitor with lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic detection, keyless access with push-button start, and a 6-way power driver’s seat.
With the $1,125 destination fee, the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Premium CVT costs $26,070. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to $468, or just $20 more each month over the base Crosstrek. See 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Premium models for sale
2022 Subaru Crosstrek Premium includes:
Heated front seats – Two-stage heated seats keep occupants warm and toasty without the need to crank up the climate control.
Windshield wiper de-icer – Employs heating elements at the windshield base to help prevent ice buildup on the wiper blades.
Power driver’s seat – Adjusts six ways to help find the perfect driving position, but regrettably does not include lumbar support.
Starlink services – Allows control of vehicle functions and numerous services via a smartphone app.
2022 Subaru Crosstrek Sport (starting at $26,795)
The Sport trim gets a larger 2.5-liter engine. With 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, this engine eliminates the sluggish acceleration and passing times experienced with the base and Premium trims. A CVT automatic is standard, as is EyeSight.
The Sport’s CVT gains eight simulated gearshift modes plus steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Unique to the Sport trim is an advanced Dual-mode X-Mode that adds an additional setting for Deep Snow/ Mud.
Building off the Premium trim’s standard equipment, the Sport brings unique exterior styling bits, a black Sport grille, oversized black wheel arch moldings, and gunmetal gray finish on the mirrors, badges, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Interior upgrades include water-repellant StarTex vinyl seats with a yellow Sport logo. The Sport’s yellow theme carries over to the stitching on the seats, dash, door panels, and steering wheel. Sport logo embossed floor mats and an LED light built into the liftgate are Sport exclusives, as are gunmetal and simulated carbon-fiber interior accents.
The Sport features keyless access with push-button start and rear dual USB charging ports in the console storage bin.
A sole option package adds a power moonroof, blind-spot monitor with lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic detection, and an 8-inch color touch-screen infotainment system. This package is nearly identical to the one offered on the Premium but oddly omits the 6-way power driver’s seat.
With the $1,125 destination fee, the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Sport costs $27,920. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to $502. See 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Sport models for sale
2022 Subaru Crosstrek Sport includes:
Unique exterior styling – With dark gray 17-inch wheels, more prominent protective body cladding, and gunmetal gray accents, the Sport delivers an eye-catching look.
Dual-mode X-Mode – With two settings for Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud, this system is designed to get the Crosstrek through the most challenging off-road situations.
StarTex upholstery – Looks and feels like leather but holds up better, won’t crack over time, and repels water and dirt, taking the worry out of muddy weekends road trips.
Available 8-inch touch screen – This larger infotainment screen is faster than the standard 6.5-inch screen and offers better visuals for things like maps and album artwork.
2022 Subaru Crosstrek Limited (starting at $28,295)
2022 Subaru Crosstrek Limited starts at $28,295.
The Limited is the most luxurious Crosstrek, but its standard CVT with X-Mode, 2.5-liter engine, and 18-inch alloy wheels make it no less capable than the other Crosstrek models.
Building off the Premium CVT trim, the Limited adds LED steering responsive headlights with automatic high beams, LED fog lights, and integrated side mirror turn signals. Added to the standard driver assists is Reverse Automatic Emergency Braking.
Interior upgrades count a 6-way power driver’s seat, leather upholstery with orange stitching, the 8-inch Starlink infotainment system, high-grade color multi-information display, keyless access with push-button start, and a rear-seat armrest with cup holders.
Subaru offers two options packages for the Limited. Customers can add a power moonroof or opt for a second package adding an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and TomTom-powered navigation. However, unlike the Harman Kardon systems in the Outback and Forester, the Crosstrek’s audio system does not include a powered subwoofer.
With the $1,125 destination fee, the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Limited costs $29,420. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to $529. See 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Limited models for sale
2022 Subaru Crosstrek Limited includes:
Leather upholstery – Offered in black or black and gray, this premium upholstery looks and feels inviting and cleans up easier than cloth.
Steering responsive LED headlights – Turn in the direction of the steering wheel to better illuminate dark corners.
Automatic high beam headlights – Automatically illuminate in low light situations but will dim when sensing approaching headlights as not to blind fellow motorists.
Available Harman Kardon audio – Powered by a 432-watt amplifier, the 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system brings music to life with deep bass and bright highs.
2022 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid (Starting at $35,645)
The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid starts at $35,645.
The Crosstrek Hybrid uses the same 2.0-liter Boxer engine found in the base and Premium trims, then adds two small electric motor/generators for a bit less power but better fuel economy across the board. The plug-in Crosstrek Hybrid has an all-electric range of 17 miles and earns an EPA estimated 35 MPG/90 MPGe.
As for content, the hybrid model mimics Limited’s standard equipment list, although the hybrid does get a unique instrument cluster and multi-information display, as well as blue interior accents and stitching. Due to the battery pack placement, the Crosstrek Hybrid loses a few cubic feet of storage space in the rear cargo area.
Starlink connected service adds a few hybrid-specific features, such as automatically charging the battery during off-peak hours or remotely activating the climate controls without starting the vehicle.
Like the Limited, there is one option package for the hybrid. It adds a power moonroof, Harman Kardon audio, and navigation, plus a heated steering wheel.
With the $1,125 destination charge, the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid costs $36,770. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to $661. See 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid models for sale
