Is The Subaru Crosstrek Capable Enough For Adventuring?
The Subaru Crosstrek paints a picture of driving through the mountains on the way to your next adventure. So it’s time for Crosstrek to put its money where its mouth is. Let’s dive in and see how capable the Subaru Crosstrek is.
Can The Subaru Crosstrek Go Off-Roading?
The Subaru Crosstrek is a price-friendly option for camping and other trips, as it starts around $22k. This is a lower starting point than alternatives like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V that both start around $25k.
You also won’t have to pay a lot at the gas pump for your adventures because the Subaru Crosstrek gets up to 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. So if you’re on a budget, the Crosstrek makes it affordable to take road trips, at least.
Subaru Crosstrek Power
The Subaru Crosstrek has a single engine option. It comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provides 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. This power is a bit limited. Hopefully, the 2021 Crostrek will have a turbo or at least a 2.5-liter engine, like the Forrester has.
If you need to tow items, keep in mind that the Subaru Crosstrek can only tow up to 1,500 lb. We also wouldn’t recommend weighing it down with a lot of gear, or the engine could struggle even more. Also, the Subaru Crosstrek takes a staggering 9.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, so it’s not the best option for reaching your adventures quickly.
On a positive note, the Subaru Crosstrek comes with all-wheel-drive, so you don’t have to pay more to add this feature. The AWD is symmetrical for uniform power. This is an interesting choice made by Subaru, because independent traction to the wheels can be more beneficial if you get stuck.
The Subaru Crosstrek has 8.7 inches of ground clearance for going over obstacles. It’s approach angle of 18 degrees, and departure angle of 27 degrees is also impressive. But the Crosstrek only comes with 17″ tires. A larger size would be better for cornering and off-roading.
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Subaru Crosstrek Suspension
Also, the Subaru Crosstrek has a ‘strut’ type suspension in the front with a stabilizer bar. In the rear, you’ll find a double-wishbone suspension with a stabilizer bar. It’s another odd choice. A Multi-leaf suspension would provide more capabilities and comfort.
The X-MODE system automatically enhances all-wheel-drive power by reducing wheelspin to improve traction. It also has downhill descent control to limit your speed while going downhill. We were surprised to learn that the Crosstrek doesn’t offer any AWD driving modes for snow, sand, etc.
But the Subaru Crosstrek offers a bit more cargo space than competitors with 28.3 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear and up to 55.3 cubic feet of cargo space total. However, this is against the Hyundai Kona and Toyota C-HR, which are interesting to imagine off-roading.
Overall, the Subaru Crosstrek seems like a daring SUV to take off-roading. It should be able to handle some gravel roads, but we wouldn’t risk it in creeks or on beginner’s trails. At best, it’s great for packing up to drive to a hiking trailhead.
