The Subaru Crosstrek is an undeniable success. This model might fully encapsulate everything that Subaru fans love about the brand. However, the Crosstrek has one flaw that can sour some people on the little crossover wagon: it is really slow. To address this, Subaru came out with the quicker, turbocharged Subaru Crosstrek Sport. Despite this faster version, there are still three reasons to buy the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek over the Subaru Crosstrek Sport. 

How much does the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek cost? 

The affordable pricing is part of what makes the Crosstrek such a popular nameplate. Considering the Crosstrek’s standard AWD, killer reliability, and adventurous look, the starting price of $22,445. This is one of the cheapest crossovers on the market, and it comes with standard AWD and tons of safety gear. However, the base model comes with the 152-hp four-cylinder. 

The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Sport costs an extra $4,000 or so, bringing the starting MSRP up to $26,795. Granted, this model comes with the bigger and more powerful 182-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder. If this engine upgrade made a massive difference, maybe we would be having a different conversation. However, that is not the case. The Crosstrek Sport is still slow, just not quite as slow. This price bump doesn’t offer enough performance to warrant the cost. If you want something fast, the Crosstrek ain’t the one for you. 

Does the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek come in manual? 

One of the coolest features of the Subaru Crosstrek is that it still has a six-speed manual transmission. The manual gearshifts still won’t make you feel like a racing driver in the crossover, but it does add another element to the adventurous, rough-and-tumble look and attitude of the Crosstrek. 

Unfortunately, the Crosstrek Sport is not offered with anything other than Subaru’s CVT. According to Consumer Reports, the Sport does get some other cool features, like bright stitching, a waterproof interior, the bigger engine, and the dual X-mode all-wheel drive, but none of those feel worth giving up the third pedal. 

How reliable is the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek? 

Reliability is a key component of the Crosstrek’s appeal. To be fair, the Corsstrek Sport is equally reliable. However, the more you spend on a car, the more likely you will stress and worry about wear and tear. 

The Subaru Crosstrek is an outdoors-focused crossover. This means that it was made to get dirty, stuck, and maybe even roughed up from time to time. Although the Sport is plenty capable (if not even more capable), the added fancy touches and cost might deter some owners from truly getting down and dirty on the trails. 

A car is no more valuable than what it was meant to do. If you aren’t willing to drive your car the way it was intended, then you aren’t getting all the value out of it.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek Sport better than the Subaru Crosstrek?

The Subaru Crosstrek Sport is objectively the better car. I know this is a little confusing, but hear me out. Subaru is very much a lifestyle brand. Because of this, practicality isn’t always the main goal. 

People like Subarus for many reasons, but a major one is it makes them feel a sense of adventure and play. The Corsstrek Sport has just enough polish on it to squeeze its way from “quirky off-roader” to “sensible crossover.” The “quirky off-roader” is Subaru’s sweet spot, and the base model, manual Crosstrek, hits that mark perfectly.