2021 Subaru Crosstrek

small car / 4-door wagon

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights

2021 Subaru Crosstrek 4-door wagon
2018 Subaru Crosstrek shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteriaRating
Small overlap front: driver-side
G
Small overlap front: passenger-side
G
Moderate overlap front: original test
G
Side: original test
G
Side: updated test
P
Roof strength
G
Head restraints & seats
G

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteriaRating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
GP
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Optional system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteriaRating
LATCH ease of use
G
+

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention
  • Optional rear automatic braking

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Impreza was redesigned for the 2017 model year and the Subaru Crosstrek was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Two driver-side small overlap frontal tests of the Impreza were conducted, one by the Institute and the other by Subaru. Ratings are based on both tests and apply to both the 4-door sedan and wagon versions of the Impreza as well as 2018 and later models of the Crosstrek wagon.

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid electric variant of the Crosstrek wagon, was introduced in the 2019 model year. Ratings also apply to the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Evaluation criteriaRating
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G

Action shot taken during the Institute's driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well (Institute test car shown).

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury (Institute test shown).

The driver's space was maintained well in both tests, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium wagon 4wd

The Subaru Impreza was redesigned for the 2017 model year and the Subaru Crosstrek was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru. Ratings apply to both the 4-door sedan and wagon versions of the Impreza as well as 2018 and later models of the Crosstrek wagon.

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid electric variant of the Crosstrek wagon, was introduced in the 2019 model year. Ratings also apply to the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Technical measurements for this test

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium wagon 4wd

The Subaru Impreza was redesigned for the 2017 model year and the Subaru Crosstrek was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru. Ratings apply to both the 4-door sedan and wagon versions of the Impreza as well as 2018 and later models of the Crosstrek wagon.

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid electric variant of the Crosstrek wagon, was introduced in the 2019 model year. Ratings also apply to the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Leg/foot, left
G
Leg/foot, right
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Technical measurements for this test

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium wagon 4wd

The Subaru Impreza was redesigned for the 2017 model year and the Subaru Crosstrek was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Subaru. Ratings apply to both the 4-door sedan and wagon versions of the Impreza as well as 2018 and later models of the Crosstrek wagon.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Driver head protection
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Rear passenger head protection
G
Technical measurements for this test

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Premium 4-door 4wd

The Subaru Impreza was redesigned for the 2017 model year and the Subaru Crosstrek was redesigned for the 2018 model year. Ratings apply to both the 4-door sedan and wagon versions of the Impreza as well as 2018 and later models of the Crosstrek wagon.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
P
Structure and safety cage
P
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
M
Pelvis
A
Driver head protection
The dummy's head moved downward past the side curtain airbag and contacted the window sill. The head protection is inadequate.
A
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
M
Pelvis
G
Rear passenger head protection
G

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows that the driver dummy's head moved downward, past the side curtain airbag, and contacted the window sill.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Premium 4-door 4wd

Rating applies to both the Impreza 4-door sedan (tested) and wagon versions and to the structurally similar 2018 and later Crosstrek wagon.

Overall evaluation
G
Curb weight3,058 lbs
Peak force15,167 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio4.96

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
G
Dynamic rating
G
Seat/head restraint geometry
G
Technical measurements for this test

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Limited trim
Evaluation criteriaRating
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
G
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Trim level(s)

  • Base trim
  • Premium trim
  • Sport trim
Evaluation criteriaRating
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
P
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual left and gradual right curves and inadequate on the sharp left and sharp right curves.

Technical measurements for this test

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Optional EyeSight Driver-Assist System

Package name

  • Optional (standard on all CVT-equipped vehicles)

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-23 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • optional EyeSight Driver-Assist System

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2019-23 models of the following trim lines: Base trim equipped with CVT package, Premium trim equipped with CVT package, Limited trim

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 2.9 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim2.0i Premium
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors from the other seating positions.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trim2.0i Premium
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
Rating iconRating
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

PositionRating
1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
Can be borrowed from 1 and 3
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

About the child seat anchor evaluation