The Car Guide's Best Buys for 2022: Subaru Crosstrek
Every year, The Car Guide unveils a list of Best Buys covering all the different vehicle categories in the industry.
Subcompact SUVs are some of the best-selling vehicles in Canada. They’re smaller and easier to park than compact SUVs, and all of them are available with all-wheel drive.
- Also: 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Outdoor: A Favourite of Canadians
- Also: The Car Guide's Best Buys for 2021: Subaru Crosstrek
Winner
For 2022, the Subaru Crosstrek is a repeat winner of our Best Buy award. It also came out on top during a winter comparison of small SUVs and crossovers we did in the past year.
Blessed with generous ground clearance and an excellent AWD system as standard equipment, the Crosstrek shines on most terrains and in most conditions. The smooth ride is another thing Canadian drivers will like about it.
Under the hood is a choice of four-cylinder engines. The base 2.0-litre unit is a decent performer, but the 2.5-litre option is definitely more interesting.
Other Finalists
The runner-up this year is the Mazda CX-30, which boasts great build quality, a refined interior and best-in-class handling. Three different engines are available including a turbocharged mill that clearly elevates the CX-30 above the rest of the field. Its AWD system, while not quite as competent as the Crosstrek’s, remains one of the best in the segment.
Tight rear seats, limited visibility and a stiffer ride are reasons why the CX-30 did not grab the award.
As for third place, we picked the Kia Seltos. This model is larger than most, which results in more interior room for passengers and cargo. Powertrain selection is similar to what the Hyundai Kona offers, but the latter is not as capacious.
