The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek lasts around 250,000 miles with some minor differential and paint issues reported. At $20,950 to $28,975, it’s a decent value for a compact SUV with excellent off-road capabilities for the money.
Is the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2020 is a good year for the Subaru Crosstrek since it’s reliable with good off-road capabilities. Owner reviews praise the quiet interior, low ownership costs, along with the smooth suspension.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are high-quality for a small SUV, the seats are very supportive, although cargo space is lower than some competitors.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no mechanical issues on the 2020 Crosstrek. Avoid models from 2013–2014 since they have engine issues while 2015–2021 are more reliable.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from the four-cylinder engine, although it’s not as fast as some of the competition.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2020 Crosstrek is very safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests, it comes standard with a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, along with lane change assist.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 30 MPG, giving 498 miles of range from the 16.6 gallon tank. Gas costs are $41 cheaper than average at $145 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek is more expensive than other compact SUVs, although it holds value well, making it a good choice.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Subaru Crosstrek?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek is one of the best compact SUVs with high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Crosstrek a 4.3/5, praising the comfortable suspension, but doesn’t like the loose handling.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the 2020 Crosstrek a 4.4/5, enjoying the standard all-wheel drive capabilities, but owners don’t like the weaker engine.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek Have?
Common problems with the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek include a damaged differential, peeling paint, along with some stereo system issues. Overall, most of the problems are less severe than other small SUVs, leading to lower repair bills as the Crosstrek ages.
A damaged differential is the most serious complaint from Crosstrek owners in the first 30,000 miles. A damaged differential usually makes a loud whining noise while driving. In some cases, simply changing the differential fluid can help resolve the problem. In other cases you may need to replace bearings, which can cost over $400.
Peeling paint is another issue reported by Crosstrek owners at around 20,000 miles. Paint which is left in direct sunlight a lot and not protected, will eventually start to break down due to the UV light from the sun. The only way to fix peeling paint is by repainting the affected areas, at a cost of roughly $1,000 per panel.
Stereo system issues also show up on some Crosstrek models in the first 1,000 miles. The stereo system has software updates available for it which improves its reliability. Most dealerships will install these software updates for free, while some charge around $50.
There are no recalls on the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek, which is better than many other compact SUVs. Since the Crosstrek has no recalls, it just means that none of the problems have been widespread or safety related, so Subaru has not needed to issue a recall.
How Long Will the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Subaru Crosstrek can last around 250,000 miles, which is only 50,000 miles less than the long-lasting Toyota RAV4. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other compact SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal at $492 per year.
As a used 2020 Subaru Crosstrek reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the shocks for $450, transmission gasket costing $350, along with A/C fan which costs around $225.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great in the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen stereo system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s an optional larger 8-inch touchscreen available, with a premium audio system as well.
Standard safety technology is basic with only a rearview camera offered.
Optional driver assistance features are very good including:
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Forward and reverse automatic emergency braking
- Lane keep assist
- Rear seat reminder
- Lane change assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane departure and sway waring
- Automatic high-beam headlights
Is the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek is a good value since it has a lot of technology paired with good reliability ratings as it ages. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $20,950 to $28,975, making it more than a Buick Encore or Nissan Rogue. When new, the price range was $22,145 to $27,395. Depreciation is much better than average, only losing around 5% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Subaru Crosstrek?
There are three different models of the Subaru Crosstrek offered for the 2020 model year, from the entry-level Base, all the way up to the well-equipped Limited model. All Subaru Crosstrek models come standard with all-wheel drive.
Base is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Automatic Climate Control
- Roof Rails
- 5-Inch Touchscreen
- Four-Speaker Stereo System
Premium falls in the middle of the lineup, adding:
- Heated Front seats
- Fog Lights
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Satellite Radio
- Additional USB Port
- Moonroof
- Six-Way Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
Limited is the flagship model which features:
- Leather Upholstery
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Subaru Eyesight Safety Features
- Eight-speaker Harman Kardon Stereo
- Navigation
What Engines Come In the Subaru Crosstrek?
The engine found in the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek is an average 2.0L 4-cylinder which makes 152 horsepower while getting up to 30 MPG. It comes with either a six-speed manual transmission, or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Performance is okay, taking roughly 9 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Subaru Crosstrek Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Subaru Crosstrek?
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek is generally considered to be a comfortable and practical small SUV. It offers a surprisingly spacious interior with plenty of headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with ample padding and adjustable lumbar support for the driver’s seat.
In terms of ride quality, the Crosstrek provides a smooth and stable ride thanks to its well-tuned suspension system. The suspension is firm enough to provide good handling and stability on the road, but also supple enough to absorb bumps and rough road surfaces. The Crosstrek has a relatively quiet and well-insulated cabin, with minimal wind and road noise. The engine is also fairly quiet, especially at lower speeds, which contributes to a more pleasant and relaxing driving experience.
How Much Storage Space Does the Subaru Crosstrek Have?
With the rear seats in place, the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek provides 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space. This is a decent amount of space for a subcompact SUV and should be enough for carrying everyday items like groceries, sports equipment, or luggage for a weekend trip.
If you need to carry larger items or more cargo, the rear seats can be folded down to create additional space. When the rear seats are folded down, the cargo space expands to a maximum of 55.3 cubic feet. This is a substantial increase in cargo space and should be plenty for carrying larger items like furniture, bikes, or outdoor gear.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The first generation of the Subaru Crosstrek was launched in 2013, and replaced by the second generation for the 2018 model year.
2015: New entry-level model, standard rearview camera on all models, Subaru EyeSight offered as an optional upgrade.
2016: Minor front bumper changes, new interior trim choices offered.
2017: Hybrid model discontinued, all-new 2.0i Premium Special Edition added.
2018: Fully redesigned for the second generation with new engines, interior, and styling.
2019: Upgraded Subaru Starlink infotainment system with minor changes.
2020: New LED lights added, standard engine start-stop.
2021: More powerful engine offered, front bumper redesigned.
How Does the Subaru Crosstrek Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek is a very nice compact SUV since it offers reasonable ownership costs paired with a high ride height, making it a great choice for dirt roads and light off-roading.
The Subaru Forester is another SUV offered by Subaru which is around $2,000 more. Passenger room is slightly better in the Subaru Forester, while the Subaru Crosstrek is more capable off-road. We recommend the Subaru Crosstrek since it’s more unique, unless you need the extra space offered by the Forester.
The Toyota RAV4 is another competitor, which costs around $4,000 more. Reliability ratings are better on the Toyota RAV4, while the Subaru Crosstrek’s standard all-wheel drive system is stronger. We recommend the Toyota RAV4 since it is cheaper to own, but it’s worth test driving both to see which you prefer.
