Subaru Crosstrek Prices Rise Just a Tad for 2019 (As Sales Leave Earth's Atmosphere)

In a repeat of last year, Subaru of America plans to inflate the price of its 2019 Crosstrek models by a dollar figure that’s small and manageable. Wouldn’t want those buyers to feel used, and with good reason. As the automaker rolls out MSRPs for next year’s physically unchanged models, it’s enjoying record sales for the lifted all-wheel-drive hatchback crossover.

By placing its Impreza five-door hatch in the time machine and pressing the “AMC Eagle” button, Subaru turned what many first saw as just an interesting alternative and turned it into a juggernaut. Colourful pie charts await.

May of 2018 saw the most sales in the Crosstrek’s history. Some 14,387 U.S. buyers drove off lots in the brand’s funky, high-riding compact — a 74.4 percent increase over the same month last year. Had the Crosstrek stayed stagnant, Subaru would have posted a year-over-year volume loss in May, rather than the 7.2 percent sales increase it actually recorded.

Over the first five months of 2018, Crosstrek sales rose 68.4 percent. Taking a look around the rest of the Subaru stable, the only other model to record a YTD sales gain is the Crosstrek’s larger Outback sibling. Sedans are slipping, and the popular (but aging) Forester is awaiting its all-new 2019 replacement. The Crosstrek came within 143 units of surpassing the Forester’s sales in May.

In just a year, the Crosstrek inflated its slice of the Subaru pie from 14.7 percent to 23.9 percent.

But what about those prices, you ask. Fine.

Pre-delivery, the base Crosstrek 2.0i, in both manual and CVT guise, rises $100 for the 2019 model year. The mid-level 2.0i Premium, also available with a six-speed stick or continuously variable automatic, rises $300. It’s a larger walk for buyers of the 2.0i Limited, who’ll find themselves facing an MSRP $900 dearer than last year’s model. It isn’t quite as simple as this, however, as these models also see a $60 increase in the destination and delivery fee.

All told, a base, manual Crosstrek carries an after-delivery sticker of $22,870, with the CVT version going for a grand more. Stick shift Premiums start at $23,870 (the same as a base CVT), with self-shifting Premiums starting at $24,870. The Limited, which carries no plebian “manual” transmission, stickers for $28,170 after delivery.

Naturally, there’s some content changes to discuss. Base CVT models can now be optioned with EyeSight driver assist technology — a feature that adds a color instrument cluster display. The Premium trim adds a cold-weather package, body-color mirrors, twin USB ports, welcome lighting, and an upgraded multimedia system. The screen size (6.5 inches) remains the same.

All the goodies find their way into the Limited, which now carries a CVT equipped with X-Mode and hill descent control (for buyers who like sneaking into work the back way). The touchscreen grows to 8 inches in this guise, and safety and convenience features abound. The only major options on this trim include a power moonroof and a package that lumps the moonroof with navigation and upgraded audio.

[Image: Subaru of America]