2022 Subaru Crosstrek Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Versatility is the name of the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek's game. For being an extra-small SUV, it has a pretty big personality. It works well as a daily commuter, a hauler of stuff, and a capable off-roader. Plus, with its spacious cabin and cozy seats, the Crosstrek can keep you and your passengers riding in comfort, even as you go off the beaten path for a much-needed outdoor adventure.

The highlight of the Crosstrek is its ground clearance. With 8.7 inches of space to spare, the Crosstrek can tackle some rough terrain without debris flying into the undercarriage. Big bumps, small bumps, and loose gravel or dirt roads are no match for the Crosstrek's well-tuned suspension either.

The Crosstrek might be a capable off-roader, but it has its share of drawbacks. The biggest thing that holds the Crosstrek back is its bland and sluggish base engine. It takes over 10 seconds to get the Crosstrek up to 60 miles per hour, so you will have to spend more money to get the spunkier turbo engine. And handling is definitely not a strong suit for the Crosstrek, which isn't something we expect from a Subaru. Subarus are often capable and solid, but the Crosstrek only gets a modest amount of road grip and has a tall ride height that leads to body roll. And that's not to mention the lack of cargo space when compared to top contenders in the extra-small crossover SUV segment.

Is the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek worth trekking around in? Maybe; it depends on how you plan on using it. If you're looking for something that feels sporty, this vehicle might be a hard pass. But if you want a small SUV with strong off-roading capabilities, you might want to consider learning more about what's new, what is great about this vehicle, what you might not like so much, and how it stacks up against some top rivals in its segment.

What's New for 2022?

Subaru has not made any significant changes to the 2022 Crosstrek line-up. The 2021 line-up brought a lot of changes, all of which carry over. This means you get the more powerful 2.5-L turbo engine, the newer standard driver aids on the models with the automatic transmission, and the restyled grille and front bumper.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek – The Pros

1. The Optional 2.5-L Engine

Skip right over the Crosstrek's extremely basic base engine and opt for the 2.5-L turbo 4-cylinder engine that was added to last year's line-up. This turbo engine comes on the Sport and Limited trim levels and has no problem generating a power output of 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque - quite the upgrade over the base engine's 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine only needs 8.4 seconds to get up to 60 mph on the highway, which is about 2 seconds quicker than the base engine.

2. A Quiet Cabin

The Crosstrek's cabin remains nice and quiet even when you take it up to speed on the highway. The 2.5-L turbo engine is a lot less noisy than the base engine and only gives a little growl when you push it to full throttle. Otherwise, wind and road noise is kept to a minimum. You won't have to crank your music up to hear it or shout at your rear seat passengers just to be heard.

3. Comfortable Front Seats

Subaru is renowned for creating some downright cozy seats, and the front seats in the Crosstrek should not disappoint you. The rear seats are considerably comfortable too. They are slightly firm in how they are padded, but they make taking long road-trips rather enjoyable. There is an option for heated front seats, and they make a ride on a cold day feel more relaxing.

4. A Functional Cabin Design

Looking for a vehicle with a straightforward cabin layout? The Crosstrek has one. The controls for the automatic climate control system are well marked and easy to reach, plus there are easy-to-follow menus and big fonts on the infotainment screen. Nothing should come off as being confusing or poorly placed.

5. Plenty of Ground Clearance

With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Crosstrek puts plenty of space between the underbelly of the vehicle and the road. This makes it capable of traveling across dirt roads and mountain trails without a problem. The suspension will dispatch small and large bumps alike before they have the chance to enter the cabin.

6. A Spacious Cabin Layout

For being an extra-small crossover SUV, the Crosstrek manages to provide riders with a decently sized cabin. It is actually one of the more spacious cabins in this segment. The rear seat might be just slightly cramped for tall passengers, but you can fit three average-sized adults back there. It is also easy to fit rear-facing child car safety seats in the back seats.

7. User-friendly Infotainment Features

Subaru's infotainment features are easy to figure out but are also palatable for more tech-savvy buyers. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard issue on the Crosstrek, plus you get a relatively glare-free and easy-to-read touchscreen infotainment display. Voice controls make it simple to operate controls (such as changing the radio station) with only minor moderations to your natural speech patterns.

8. An Optional Harman Kardon Sound System

If there is one piece of advice we can give, it is: Get the optional Harman Kardon sound system. This eight-speaker premium audio system is a stand-alone feature that you can equip on the Limited, and it is totally worth it. Harman Kardon are experts when it comes to sound systems, and this one fills the cabin with crystal clear, concert-quality sound. It is a fantastic addition for music lovers who want to enjoy their music on a daily basis.

9. A Decent Fuel Economy

The Crosstrek puts forth a respectable fuel economy. The 2.5-L - which has a CVT for its transmission - gets an EPA estimated 29 miles per gallon in combined driving (from 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway). For an off-roader, that is fairly impressive. Real world tests pin the Crosstrek as coming close to these numbers, only coming slightly short, but that could depend on your driving style.

10. Warranty Coverage For Brake Pads and Wipers

While the warranty coverage is industry average in terms of years/miles (the three-year/36,000-mile warranty is typical of what you get for this class), it covers quite a lot. In a rare showing, this warranty covers things that are subject to a lot of wear and tear, including brake pads and wiper blades.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek – The Cons

1. Slow Acceleration From the Base Engine

Again, we advise that you skip over the base 2.0-liter engine. It only gets152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, which makes this vehicle feel underpowered. It takes over 10 seconds to get up to 60 mph, which is terribly slow for a vehicle in this segment. This engine is also quite a bit louder than the 2.5-L turbo engine, which might be unpleasant when you're pushing down hard on the pedal.

2. Handling Feels Subpar

Handling isn't a highlight for the Crosstrek, which is somewhat surprising for a Subaru. Its hard tires don't get a whole lot of road grip, and there is a lot of noticeable body roll when you round through turns (which is due to the tall ride height). Many of its rivals deliver a more agile on-the-road performance.

3. Not As Much Cargo Space As Its Rivals

The Crosstrek does not have as much cargo space as quite a few of its rivals. You get 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. When you fold the rear seats down, it makes out at 55 cubic feet. This is below average for an extra-small SUV.

4. Limited Small Item Storage

Small item storage spaces are limited. There aren't a whole lot of areas to stash tablets or purses. You will have to come up with some creative solutions for covertly storing your stuff.

 

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Subaru Crosstrek vs. 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2022 Chevy Trailblazer is similar in terms of price and equipment, and it packs a punch with its safety and infotainment offerings - there is no shortage of either. And, if you get the Activ model, this SUV can pull some light off-roading duty. For being an extra-small SUV, the Trailblazer offers space throughout the cabin and in the cargo area. The downsides? Its transmission is slow to downshift, so you will feel some hesitation. Also, the base engine feels pretty lackluster, so you'll have to spend more money to get the more powerful engine option.

2022 Subaru Crosstrek vs. 2022 Jeep Renegade

Another strong contender in the extra-small SUV segment is the 2022 Jeep Renegade. It has a boxy design that echoes the classic Jeep style, but it is priced a few grand above the Crosstrek and other competitors. When you tack on the must-have options, the price really soars. Then there's the price you'll pay for fuel. The base engine has a fuel economy that is purely "meh", falling right around the middle of this segment. You also get a lot of wind noise due to the Renegade's boxy design. On the plus side, the Renegade in agile in its handling, and the Trailhawk trim level is a best-in-class one when it comes to off-roading performance. And the tech you do get on the Renegade is straightforward.

Conclusion

The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek is a strong and capable off-roading vehicle that has a punchy optional engine. However, you will have to pay more for it since the base engine is not really worth the purchase. Overall, the Crosstrek is user-friendly while still appealing to more tech-savvy folks, and it can be fun when you take it off the beaten path.