The first 2021 Subaru came to our house for a week in January and we loved it to be the all-new Crosstrek Sport model. We have always not only enjoyed the Subaru range, but above all this little crossover model.
We weren’t disappointed with our week, which included a trip to Farmington Bay on Saturday and a couple of races through the Utah Valley where we could cover not just there and back but a very nice 34.1 miles per gallon for the entire week .
This year Subaru has improved its game in the new Crosstrek and optionally given the popular compact SUV a new, more powerful engine. Under the hood is now a 2.5-liter Subaru boxer power plant that makes a very nice 182 horsepower plus 176 foot-pounds of torque.
Like most Subaru models, this engine is connected to the wheels via a CVT (continuously variable transmission). We think Subaru does a very good job with this type of gearbox, making it feel as natural as possible for most people, especially us of our advanced age.
On the Saturday of our test drive, the weather changed from a small snow storm the day before to a fine winter’s day, and we took advantage of that on our trip to Farmington. There was a way to our madness just happening to leave on a Saturday and that was to get a glimpse of the many bald eagles supposed to spend time in the bay from January to March.
The drive to Farmington was made a lot easier with the Subaru Eyesight system. To do this, add an extra pair of eyes and even an extra foot on the brakes if necessary. There are really two new sensors, located on either side of the rearview mirror on the top of the windshield, which continuously scan the road in front of and to the sides of the vehicle.
This allowed the Crosstrek to warn us if we were walking out of lane and to get the vehicle back into lane using Subaru’s version of Lane Keeping Assist. We have found that the system works very well even in the dark of night on the concrete highway, where the lines are sometimes difficult to see. It even warned us if we appeared to be moving back and forth in the lane, which could happen if you were drowsy.
It also came with adaptive cruise control that keeps the Crosstrek in the lane a certain distance behind the next vehicle and even brings it to a complete stop if necessary. Engineers have taken this technology a step further by emitting an audible beep when the car in front clears and the Crosstrek can return to its set speed.
That system would also hit the brakes if it believed the Crosstrek was in great danger of a head-on collision. It also reduces throttle control and applies brakes when the danger is not as imminent as it appears, thereby either avoiding or greatly reducing a head-on collision. With the Eyesight system, IIHS gives the Crosstrek the highest possible rating when it comes to front-end collisions.
We were able to take the Crosstrek through muddy terrain as the night before the snow had melted on the levees in Farmington Bay that we had to drive on for better access to the many different species of birds that make up this part of their home for the winter months.
With temperatures hitting the low 50 degree mark in early February, it turned out to be a very nice day to be literally on the water and we would recommend some type of SUV to do the hike as that Most of it basically in the mud and dirt.
We saw over 100 bald eagles either flying in the air or sitting on small ice-like islands in Farmington Bay. The trip is worth it and even more so in the new Crosstrek Sport.
Also new this year in the sports model are only a hill descent control together with a deep snow and mud function, which we had to use somehow, but which would have got a better shot if the night storm had produced more than one centimeter of the white material.
In the interior, the sport was very comfortable with new water-repellent seats made from durable, great StartTex upholstery with beautiful yellow stitching that continued all the way to the dashboard and steering wheel.
Our test drive was done with an upgraded 8-inch infotainment screen which we would highly recommend as it was easier to see and use all week. We’ve always found that bigger is usually better in this department, as we’ve found we plugged our phones in to use Apple CarPlay for directions to the bay.
The Crosstrek also features Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive, where engineers have split the power 50-50 between the front and rear wheels. It also distributes more power to each wheel that is needed when riding on uneven terrain or through a patch of snow. This all-wheel drive is standard on the Subaru, where much of the competition will start with a front-wheel drive only version.
The new Subaru Crosstrek Sport was a great ride for a week, especially with the new engine upgrade – always great for getting more power no matter what vehicle it is!
Craig and Deanne Conover have been test drivers for over eight years and have had the opportunity to drive many makes and models. You will receive a new car every week for a week-long test drive and adventure. Both love to have the unique opportunity to try out new cars. You live in Springville.
