Used 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Consumer Reviews
Used Crosstrek for sale
Avoid CVT transmission!!
Dave, 05/31/2019
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
14 of 17 people found this review helpful
Great car with a horrible transmission. Those CVT's are dropping like flys, failing as soon a 70K, my 2014 Impreza made it to 115k before it quit, Subaru extended the warranty on their CVT's to 100k which did not help me. This will be my last car with a CVT.
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A few problems that are hard to overlook
RBB, 03/30/2019
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
45 of 59 people found this review helpful
A new Subaru owner but I've driven a number of different brands /models of cars in the past. I settled on a Crosstrek because I liked the overall look and price point. When you test drive a car it's hard to get a true feel for things that might bother you in long term, and those are the things I've started to notice and will address here. First, cabin noise from the engine: I actually noticed this somewhat on test drives, but didn't get a full appreciation of how annoying this would be on longer commutes. Whenever you press the gas and you're going up any kind of hill (small or large) you hear this low volume but noticeable groan from the engine. Probably a result from the Crosstrek being underpowered but it's something I definitely noticed over other similar cars I test drove. Speaking on engine: I bought an automatic and while it seemed fine on test drives I've started to noticed that the shifting is choppy/hiccupy at times - I notice this on a daily basis. I don't know if this is something that can be remedied by a mechanic but it's noticeable compared to other cars in its class. Now onto the interior, specially the electronics/entertainment systems. In one word: a mess. It feels like Subaru gave little thought to the layouts and just kept adding stuff wherever they could find space. There are three (three!) different locations to get data about your vehicle: the display in front of your steering wheel, the small screen to the right of your steering wheel, and a third small display further up on the dash. There is absolutely no need for this third display that can't be handled by the other two. It clutters the dash, and just makes what should be a clean streamlined electronics/entertainment display into a poorly designed mess. The controls on the steering don't make sense either: for instance, the "info" button clustered with the phone/music controls has nothing to do with the phone or music - it displays information related to gas mileage etc. Why? This whole setup is a black eye for Subaru. In a day when most if not all car manufacturers put thought into the user experience, Subaru's electronics display looks and feels like something on a first generation vehicle from 2008. This is my first Subaru, and very well may be last if they can't get it together and make a reasonably functioning electronics/entertainment setup. I'll give it another year: either I'll get used to this car's pitfalls or I'll trade it in for something that makes more sense. Given all the accolades you hear about Subarus this has been very disappointing (and surprising on a model that is essentially the same since it's debut in 2013)
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2019 Subaru Crosstrek for sale near you
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- 2.0i Premium 4dr SUVMSRP: $15,21511 mi away
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Unsafe to Drive
John Scott, 01/02/2019
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
159 of 215 people found this review helpful
We decided to purchase a 2019 Subaru Crosstrek based upon its best in class rating by a nationally recognized nonprofit consumer organization and an above average review by Edmonds. Now that we have driven our Crosstrek Limited just over 1,000 miles and we have grown to regret our decision. In short, the Crosstrek Limited is a good car mechanically, uncomfortable to ride in, and equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology - a dangerous technology. So, if you still want a Crosstrek - avoid the top of the line Limited model. We chose a Crosstrek Limited because it has 18-inch alloy wheels, an automatic climate control system, and leather-trimmed upholstery that are not available on the other Crosstrek models. The Crosstrek is great in the snow, has adequate acceleration, and handles tight curves well. However, I am six feet tall and weigh about 170 pounds and find the Crosstrek’s seats to be uncomfortably hard and leg room limited. It is fine for taking the kids to school or heading to the store for groceries but forget about it if you are going to be driving for over 45 minutes at a time. Then there is the Crosstrek Limited’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology that includes a Pre-Collision Braking System and Adaptive Cruise Control. The Subaru manuals make it clear that, “EyeSight is a driver assist technology, which may not operate optimally under all driving conditions.” And goes on to state that, “The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors such as vehicle maintenance, weather and road conditions.” To emphasize the fact, Subaru has committed nearly 45% of the EyeSight’s 113-page manual to warnings and notices about the limitations and dangers associated with using the system. Unfortunately, the driver is left to figure out what weather and road conditions are less that optimal. And even under ideal conditions we have found the EyeSight system to be unpredictable and difficult to override manually resulting in dangerous driving conditions. Cases in point, on three occasions Eyesight’s Pre-Collision Braking Assist system detected obstacles along the curb - a tree, a garbage can, and a parked car - and assumed that they represented high risks for a collision and activated the automatic braking system –- all while driving at 35 miles per hour on a bright overcast day. In one instance, we were nearly rear-ended by the car behind whose driver had not anticipated that we would come to an abrupt and unnecessary stop on an open road to avoid hitting a tree. Then there is Adaptive Cruise Control combined with the Pre-Collision Braking - another unsafe feature. Nearly 40% of the text covering Adaptive Cruise Control in the EyeSight manual consists of warnings, cautions, and discussions of the limitations of the advanced cruise control system and for good reason. When activated, Adaptive Cruise Control functions as a smart cruise control and regulates vehicle speed in order to maintain a "safe following distance" from the vehicle ahead. In addition, it activates automatic braking “when needed” - when the following distance from the vehicle ahead becomes to small and/or the system sees break lights on the vehicle ahead. Unfortunately, when needed is when the technology thinks it is needed - not when the driver thinks they need to slow down or stop. The result is aggressive and unnecessary high speed breaking for cars that change lanes and tap their breaks in front of you or gently apply their breaks to slow when entering a highway exit. And once the perceived danger gone the system is slow to recover cruising speed. The result, abrupt and unnecessary slowing of the vehicle on the highway and the risk of a rear-end collisions. It has now happened to us on two occasions – once when a vehicle taped their breaks while changing lanes in front of us and once when a vehicle tapped its breaks to slow down while entering an exit off ramp. Fortunately, the vehicles behind us have been able to slow or swerve to avoid a collision. We have been unable to find a way to permanently disable EyeSight. By default, the Pre-Collision Breaking System turns on when you start the car and must be disabled manually once the engine is running. Adaptive Cruise Control is the default cruise control. However Conventional Cruise Control can replace Adaptive Cruise Control once Adaptive Cruise Control is activated by pressing and holding two separate buttons on the steering wheel for approximately two seconds or longer, a distraction from watching the road if the vehicle is moving when you want to engage the conventional cruise control. No, we are not happy with our 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Limited and recommend that others avoid purchasing the vehicle.
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Lacking in size, comfort and MPG
johnsoa2, 07/22/2021
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I am a Subaru gal; I had my 2011 Outback for 9 years..I thought I would go smaller with the Limite Crosstrek '19 to save on gas; My 2011 exceeded the MPG on nearly every trip; I was never able to get over 25.4 MPG. Unacceptable. The engine is very weak and this is from someone who drives like a grandma. I had to floor it to get any umph to enter a freeway or pass another car. The car also had a significant "roll" to it around corners. It was enough to make me go even slower than posted speed to feel comfortable cornering. The front driver's seat was very uncomfortable and stiff. The cargo space was too small for even a decent grocery trip. I traded it it last week for a '22 Outback and I am a happy Subaru owner again.
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Incredibly Uncomfortable
Bernie, 05/02/2019
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
48 of 68 people found this review helpful
We own an automobile in order to get from one point to another comfortably, safely, and reliably. After owning our 2019 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Limited for six months we can report that the vehicle meets two of our three expectations - safety and reliability as expected for a vehicle with less than 5,000 miles on its odometer. Unfortunately, it is incredibly uncomfortable to ride in. The front driver and passenger seats are poorly designed - hard and the back rests uncomfortable. Driver side legroom is at a premium resulting in the operator’s right knee being jammed into the sharp edges of center console. The left knee bangs into the armrest below the window controls. The steering wheel is hard and has a small diameter. And because of the constant battle between the driver and the EyeSight systems Lane Keep Assist feature the wheel must be firmly grasped at all times. Lane Keep Assist, “… assists the steering operation by working with the electric power steering to help keep your vehicle in its lane when driving on expressways, freeways and interstate highways.” In other words, the car tries to steer itself and the driver is required to constantly override the system. As a result, when we drive for more than one-half hour, we have pains that run from the small of our backs, up our spines, and across our shoulders. On the other hand, the Crosstrek handles well and has adequate acceleration for highway driving. It does extremely well in snow. Its interior is ok but we could do without the orange stitching on its black leather seats. Then there is the Starlink technology that is a distraction and constantly struggles with the driver for control while driving. No, we do not recommend purchasing a Crosstrek.
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