2016 Subaru Crosstrek — Full Specifications
As an Amazon Associate and CJ Affiliate and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2016 Subaru Crosstrek is an SUV powered by a 2L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 35 mpg (UK) / 29 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 31–37 mpg (UK) across all configurations. A hybrid version is also listed by EPA (2L 4-cyl), returning around 37 mpg (UK) combined. Owners often keep a Subaru Crosstrek workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2015 Subaru Crosstrek: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 35 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It holds a 5★ overall NHTSA rating (none is on record for the 2015 model).
Full Specifications
| Engine | 2L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S6) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 35 combined / 31 urban / 40 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 29 combined / 26 city / 33 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 193 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 7 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,300 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 3 configurations for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, all with the 2L 4-cyl engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 26 to 31 mpg (US), or 31 to 37 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 35 | 29 (26/33) | 193 | $2,300 |
| 2L 4-cyl (Hybrid) | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 37 | 31 (29/33) | 178 | $2,150 |
| 2L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 31 | 26 (23/30) | 216 | $2,600 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
Running Costs: 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2016 Subaru Crosstrek at 35 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,039 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2016 Subaru Crosstrek Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Exterior lighting (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Exterior lighting — campaign 19V149000, reported 28 February 2019. Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. The most-reported areas are Electrical system (37), Unspecified (34), Power train (18). Complaints include 4 reported crashes, 3 reported fires, 1 reported injury. That is well above the median of 83 complaints across the 12 Subaru Crosstrek model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Electrical system (37 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Transmission & drivetrain (18 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Engine (14 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Lighting (1 recall campaign) — Check every exterior light works and look for moisture inside the lamp housings.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Subaru Crosstrek compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 35 mpg figure is 8 mpg better than that average. Its 193 g/km CO₂ figure is 60 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Subaru models in our database average about 33 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek's 35 mpg is 2 mpg above that make average. Its 193 g/km CO₂ figure is 13 g/km lower than the 206 g/km Subaru average.
Of the 14 Subaru Crosstrek model years we cover, the 2016 ranks 5th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (35 mpg UK combined, against a high of 36 mpg). See every Subaru Crosstrek year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek have?
It's fitted with a 2L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (av-s6) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
The most efficient configuration returns around 35 mpg (UK) combined, or 29 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 31 to 37 mpg. The hybrid version returns around 37 mpg (UK) combined.
How much does the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Exterior lighting (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Subaru Crosstrek?
Among the 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Electrical system (37 complaints), Unspecified (34 complaints), Power train (18 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Subaru Crosstrek's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 35 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.