The Subaru Crosstek is known as a great value provider in the compact-SUV category as it is sold at an affordable price with a decent number of features. However, the towing performance of this car is still a mystery and in this article, we’ll uncover the true towing potential of this car. Let’s get started.
All the models/variants of the Subaru Crosstrek have a braked towing capacity of 1,500 pounds and an unbaked towing capacity of 1,000 pounds. These are official towing figures but still may not be necessarily accurate and it is possible that your car may tow a bit more than these figures. The towing conditions are also going to affect the towing capacity of this car.
Below, we’ll identify the changes in the towing capacity of this car and find out if it has improved over the years. We’ll then discuss whether it is sufficient to tow several types of trailers or not. Lastly, we’ll take a look at its competition and analyze the Subaru Crosstrek’s performance.
Maximum Towing Capacity By Year
The following table highlights the towing capacities of all variants of this car over the years. We can note that there hasn’t been a change in the towing numbers since its inception. Subaru has designed this car for rare towing purposes but they are not much interested in adding value to this car in this regard.
| Year | Engine | Towing Capacity Unbraked (lbs) | Towing Capacity Braked (lbs) | Note |
| 2021 | All | 1,000 | 1,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2020 | All | 1,000 | 1,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2019 | All | 1,000 | 1,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2018 | All | 1,000 | 1,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2017 | All | 1,000 | 1,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2016 | All | 1,000 | 1,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
Can It Tow a Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?
The following table mentions the weighing limits of different types of trailers. We have then matched these weight limits against the towing capacity of the Subaru Crosstrek. Note that these weights are subject to the loading/filling of these trailers. It is possible that your car may not be able to tow a loaded trailer but may tow an empty one.
All of the models of the Subaru Impreza can tow small and medium-sized EMPTY trailers with a maximum weight limit of only 1,500 pounds. A few of these include Canoe/Kayak, Jet Ski, Teardrop, and Small Open Utility Trailers. It is not advisable to regularly tow a trailer with this car as it will damage its engine and thus, you’ll have to incur additional repair expenses.
| Trailer Type | Average Empty Weight (lbs.) | Average Total Loaded Weight (lbs.) | Can A Subaru Crosstrek Tow It? |
| Canoe / Kayak Trailer | 200 | 400 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Jet Ski Trailer | 300 | 1,800 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Motorcycle Trailer | 500 | 2,400 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Teardrop Trailer | 1,700 | 2,400 | No |
| Small Open Utility Trailer | 700 | 2,500 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| A-Frame Camper | 1,700 | 2,900 | No |
| Small Enclosed Utility Trailer | 1,000 | 3,200 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Fishing Boat Trailer | 600 | 3,300 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Pop Up Camper | 2,300 | 3,400 | No |
| Small Travel Trailer | 2,800 | 3,600 | No |
| Tow Dolly | 600 | 4,000 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Large Enclosed Utility Trailer | 2,700 | 7,100 | No |
| Small Horse Trailer | 2,900 | 7,200 | No |
| Large Travel Trailer | 6,700 | 8,300 | No |
| Car Trailer | 1,900 | 9,000 | No |
| Large Flatbed Trailer | 3,000 | 10,400 | No |
| Large Boat Trailer | 2,200 | 13,600 | No |
| Dump Trailer | 4,500 | 16,900 | No |
| Toy Hauler | 7,600 | 17,900 | No |
| Large Livestock Trailer | 7,300 | 18,700 | No |
| 5th Wheel Camper | 12,700 | 18,700 | No |
| Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer | 7,200 | 23,200 | No |
- Kayak: All Subaru Crosstrek models will be able to tow a kayak trailer. On average, an empty kayak trailer will weigh 200 pounds. A loaded kayak trailer will weigh an average of 400 pounds with a maximum of 800 pounds which is well within the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Jet Ski Trailer: All Subaru Crosstrek models will be able to tow an empty jet ski trailer. On average, an empty jet ski trailer will weigh 300 pounds. A loaded jet ski trailer will weigh an average of 1,800 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Motorcycle Trailer: All Subaru Crosstrek models will be able to tow an empty motorcycle trailer. On average, an empty motorcycle trailer will weigh 500 pounds. A loaded motorcycle trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds with a maximum of 3,500, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Teardrop Trailer: No Subaru Crosstrek model will be able to tow a teardrop trailer. On average, an empty teardrop trailer will weigh 1,700 pounds. A loaded teardrop trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek. Some teardrop trailers will weigh a maximum of 6,000 pounds which is also outside of the limits of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Small Open Utility Trailer: All Subaru Crosstrek models will be able to tow an empty small open utility trailer. On average, an empty small open utility trailer will weigh 700 pounds. A loaded small open utility trailer will weigh an average of 2,500 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- A-Frame Camper: No Subaru Crosstrek model will be able to tow an a-frame camper. On average, an empty a-frame camper weighs 1,700 pounds. A loaded a-frame camper will weigh an average of 2,900 pounds with a maximum of 3,600 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Small Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Subaru Crosstrek models will be able to tow an empty small enclosed utility trailer. On average, an empty small enclosed utility trailer weighs 1,000 pounds. A loaded small enclosed utility trailer will weigh an average of 3,200 pounds with a maximum of 7,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Fishing Boat Trailer: All Subaru Crosstrek models will be able to tow an empty fishing boat trailer. On average, an empty fishing boat trailer weighs 600 pounds. A loaded fishing boat trailer will weigh an average of 3,300 pounds with a maximum of 6,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Pop-Up Camper: No Subaru Crosstrek model will be able to tow a pop-up camper. On average, an empty pop-up camper weighs 2,300 pounds. A loaded pop-up camper will weigh an average of 3,400 pounds with a maximum of 4,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Small Travel Trailer: No Subaru Crosstrek model will be able to tow a small travel trailer. On average, an empty small travel trailer weighs 2,800 pounds. A loaded small travel trailer will weigh an average of 3,600 pounds with a maximum of 4,500 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Tow Dolly: All Subaru Crosstrek models will be able to tow an empty tow dolly. On average, an empty tow dolly weighs 600 pounds. A loaded tow dolly will weigh an average of 4,000 pounds with a maximum of 5,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Large Enclosed Utility Trailer: No Subaru Crosstrek model will be able to tow a large enclosed utility trailer. On average, an empty large enclosed utility trailer weighs 2,700 pounds. A loaded large enclosed utility trailer weighs an average of 7,100 pounds with a maximum of 10,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Small Horse Trailer: No Subaru Crosstrek model will be able to tow a small horse trailer. On average, an empty small horse trailer weighs 2,900 pounds. A loaded small horse trailer weighs an average of 7,200 pounds with a maximum of 8,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Car Trailer: No Subaru Crosstrek model will be able to tow a car trailer. On average, an empty car trailer weighs 1,900 pounds. A loaded car trailer weighs an average of 9,000 pounds with a maximum of 15,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Large Flatbed Trailer: No Subaru Crosstrek model will be able to tow a large flatbed trailer. On average, an empty large flatbed trailer weighs 3,000 pounds. A loaded large flatbed trailer weighs an average of 10,400 pounds with a maximum of 26,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
- Large Boat Trailer: No Subaru Crosstrek model will be able to tow a large boat trailer. On average, an empty large boat trailer weighs 2,200 pounds. A loaded large boat trailer weighs an average of 13,600 pounds with a maximum of 34,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru Crosstrek.
How Well Can It Tow Compared to its Competitors?
The following table highlights the towing performance of various compact SUVs that compete with the Subaru Crosstrek. We can note that this car is not as good as some of its rivals. For instance, the 2021 Jeep Renegade provides a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds which is 500 pounds more than the towing capacity of the Subaru Crosstrek. Similarly, the 2021 Kia Seltos and the 2021 Mazda CX-30 have higher towing capacities. Towing is one area, where Subaru must improve the performance of this car to compete in a tough competition.
| Year / Make / Model | Min. Towing Capacity (lbs.) | Max. Towing Capacity (lbs.) |
| 2021 Honda HR-V | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| 2021 Jeep Renegade | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| 2021 Kia Seltos | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-30 | 2,000 | 2,000 |
Closing Thoughts
In today’s article, we dug deep to uncover the real towing capacity of the Subaru Crosstrek. We learned that, officially, it can tow 1,500 pounds with brakes and 1,000 pounds without. But remember, these numbers might vary depending on different factors including the specific conditions you’re towing under.
We also looked at how the Crosstrek’s towing abilities stand against competitors and whether it has improved over the years. Not every Subaru is the same and vehicles like the Subaru Ascent, Baja, Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback, and WRX will all have unique towing capacities. We also talked about what kinds of trailers the Subaru Crosstrek can handle.
In conclusion, the Subaru Crosstrek offers a reliable towing capacity that can meet various needs, proving its worth in the compact-SUV category. Whether you are considering buying one or just wanted to learn more, we hope this guide helped. Thank you for reading!
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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