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2021 Subaru Crosstrek First Drive | A bigger engine equals a better car

BERLIN, Ohio — If horsepower is good, then more horsepower must be better. And in the case of the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, more horsepower comes courtesy of an optional 2.5-liter engine that provides potential buyers with a long-desired alternative to the meager 2.0-liter four-cylinder that remains standard equipment. Of course, thereÂ’s more to the 2021 Crosstrek story than more displacement. ThereÂ’s a nip here, a tuck there, and the addition of a new Sport trim level. It all adds up to what we think is the best buy in its segment. And thatÂ’s saying something, considering that the number of subcompact crossover choices has grown exponentially since the Crosstrek went on sale for the 2013 model year. ItÂ’s important to note that the larger engine only comes with the CrosstrekÂ’s top two trim levels: Sport and Limited. Base and Premium models soldier on with the same 152-horsepower 2.0-liter engine that all 2020 Crosstreks were equipped with. And, if you want a six-speed manual transmission, which comes standard on base and Premium trims, youÂ’re stuck with the smaller engine since the 2.5-liter sends its 182 horses and 176 pound-feet of torque solely to a continuously variable transmission. As youÂ’d expect from Subaru, the Crosstrek comes standard with all-wheel drive. For a closer look at the differences between the Sport and Limited trim levels, check out the video just below. Up front, the Crosstrek gets a new grille, bumper and foglight covers. ItÂ’s a subtle update, but we think the Â’21 model looks a bit more aggressive than the version it replaces. The new-for-2021 Sport trim level goes even further with unique neon yellow badges, plus a gunmetal finish for the grille, wheels, side mirror caps and badges. Sport models also have different wheel arch moldings, but they arenÂ’t hiding any changes to the suspension. Inside, the Sport gets unique StarTex vinyl upholstery that is completely free of any animal-derived materials (though the steering wheel is still swathed in leather) and yellow stitching to go along with darker trim and faux carbon fiber accents. Yellow metallic highlights also feature in the gauge cluster. We found the StarTex interior to be pretty nice. We wouldnÂ’t mistake it for leather, but itÂ’s soft to the touch while still feeling grippy enough that occupants donÂ’t slide around too much, even though the seats donÂ’t feature significant bolstering.

Subaru recalls new Forester over pedal entrapment fears

Pedal entrapment and unintended acceleration are hot-button topics these days, so automakers are always staying alert for potential problems. For Subaru and its newly introduced 2014 Forester, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall due to improperly manufactured floor mats that could become an obstruction for the gas, brake or clutch pedals. The good news, of course, is that even if drivers experience this problem, the 2014 Forester comes standard with brake override.
At issue with the floor mats on 10,137 Forester models built between January and March of this year is that the resin material used on the underside of the mats can curl when exposed to heat. If the leading edge of the driver's mat curls enough, it can come in contact with the pedals making acceleration, braking and shifting more difficult - possibly resulting in a crash. To fix the problem, Subaru is replacing the entire set of floor mats in all of the affected units. The official NHTSA recall notice is posted below.

2018 Subaru Legacy freshens up with new fascia and better chassis

The current Subaru Legacy has been on sale since 2014, and nearly every one of its competitors has received a refresh or redesign in the intervening years. Now for 2018, the Legacy gets several changes inside and out that Subie hopes will bring it in step the rest of the field. No word on if these will carry over to the closely related Subaru Outback, but look for the revised Legacy next week at the Chicago Auto Show. On the outside, the Legacy gets revised front and rear fascias. While not revolutionary, the look is handsome and falls in line with other recent Subaru products, like the recently released 2017 Impreza. While the 175-hp 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder engine and the 256-hp 3.6-liter boxer six-cylinder carry over, Subaru tweaked the tuning of the transmission to provide a little more response. A CVT is the only available transmission with either engine. As always, power is sent to all four wheels. Active torque vectoring is standard across the board. Subaru revised the suspension, brakes, and electronic power steering for 2018. The changes are intended to make the Legacy more engaging to drive, but we can't say for sure until we get behind the wheel. Some changes to the transmission, mirrors, and cabin were done to help improve the car's noise, harshness, and vibrations. Inside, the Legacy features a redesigned center console and new materials throughout the cabin. An 8-inch display is now available while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard in every model. The Legacy gets the latest version of Subaru's infotainment system, Starlink. New colors and trims are now available inside and out. No word on pricing or when the new Legacy goes on sale, but look for more news in the coming months. Related Video: