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Buyer's Guide · Subaru Crosstrek · Subcompact crossover

Used Subaru Crosstrek Buyer's Guide

3 min read

Also worth reading: Subaru Reliability Guide, Best Used Subaru Models and Subaru Forester Buying Guide.

The Crosstrek is an Impreza with more ground clearance and roof rails. Cheap to own, capable in bad weather, and honest about being slow.

If you need more cargo room than the Crosstrek offers, the Subaru Outback buying guide covers the wagon-crossover alternative.

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Quick Verdict
Overall verdict
4.1/5 · Very good
Reliability
4.1/5 · Very good
Best years
2018–2023 (2nd gen)
Years to research
2013–2017 (1st gen)
Maintenance cost
4.1/5 · Very good
Parts availability
4.3/5 · Very good
Ownership cost
4.3/5 · Very good

Bottom line: Yes. The 2018+ is the safest pick; verify CVT fluid history on any candidate.

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Overall · All generations
★★★★★4.1/5
The 2018+ Crosstrek is the sweet spot — refined chassis, updated engine, mature CVT. Real-world fuel economy is genuinely good for an AWD vehicle.
Reliability· All generations
★★★★★4.1/5
Maintenance
★★★★★4.1/5
Parts availability
★★★★★4.3/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★4.3/5
Top Picks

Best Years to Buy

Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.

2018–2023 (2nd gen)

Updated FB20/FB25; refined chassis; excellent long-term outlook.

Side by side

Subaru Crosstrek ratings at a glance

CategoryRatingWhat it means
Overall4.1/5Very good
Reliability4.1/5Very good
Maintenance4.1/5Very good
Parts availability4.3/5Very good
Ownership cost4.3/5Very good
Do your homework

Years to Research Carefully

Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.

2013–2017 (1st gen)

Serviceable but early platform quirks; verify CVT service history.

Known issues

Common Problems

Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.

  • ✓
    CVT longevity without fluid service
  • ✓
    AWD driveline binding if tires are mismatched
  • ✓
    Wheel bearings on high-mileage examples
  • ✓
    Battery drain on some 2018+ examples
Ownership

Maintenance Expectations

Very low ownership cost for an AWD vehicle; parts and service are inexpensive.

CVT fluid every 60k is not optional.

Before you buy

Inspection Checklist

What to verify on any candidate car.

CVT
No shudder or slip; fluid history.
AWD
Tires matched; no binding.
Engine
Smooth idle; no unusual noises.
Suspension
Struts, sway-bar links at 100k+.
Rust
Rear arches on Northeast cars.
Living with it

Ownership Experience

  • • Slow but honest; genuinely capable in bad weather.
  • • Real-world 28–32 mpg highway.
  • • One of the cheapest AWD vehicles to own.
The Verdict

Should You Buy a Used Subaru Crosstrek?

Yes. The 2018+ is the safest pick; verify CVT fluid history on any candidate.

People Also Ask

Is the Subaru Crosstrek a good used car?

Verdict rates it 4.1/5 overall, with reliability at 4.1/5 and running costs at 4.3/5. Shop 2018–2023 (2nd gen) first and treat 2013–2017 (1st gen) as a records-only purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the Subaru Crosstrek?
Verdict scores it 4.1/5 for reliability and 4.1/5 overall. Buy from 2018–2023 (2nd gen) and the known trouble spots largely drop away.
Which Crosstrek years should I avoid?
2013–2017 (1st gen) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.
What are the best years for the Subaru Crosstrek?
2018–2023 (2nd gen). Those years combine the settled version of the powertrain with the fewest recurring complaints in our research.
How long does a Subaru Crosstrek last?
A well-maintained Crosstrek from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.
Is the Crosstrek expensive to maintain?
Maintenance scores 4.1/5 and parts availability 4.3/5. Routine servicing is predictable; the cost risk is the model-specific work listed above.
What should I inspect before buying a used Crosstrek?
Focus on: CVT, AWD, Engine, Suspension. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.
What are the most common Crosstrek problems?
CVT longevity without fluid service; AWD driveline binding if tires are mismatched; Wheel bearings on high-mileage examples; Battery drain on some 2018+ examples
Is 150,000 miles too much for a Crosstrek?
Not on its own. A 150k-mile Crosstrek with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the Crosstrek's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.
Should I buy a used Subaru Crosstrek?
Yes, if you buy the right year and the right paperwork. Shop 2018–2023 (2nd gen) first, treat 2013–2017 (1st gen) as a records-only purchase, and make the sale conditional on an independent inspection.

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