Subaru Crosstrek Towing Capacity

Review Subaru Crosstrek towing capacity by year, trim, engine, and drivetrain.

Max Towing

1,500 lbs

Highest listed configuration

Years Covered

2015–2024

10 model years

Configurations

10

Trim/engine rows represented

Start here: Pick your model year below to view specific trim, engine, drivetrain, payload, and tow package details.
Towing guide

Subaru Crosstrek Towing Overview

The Subaru Crosstrek is a SUV with towing capacity that varies by model year, trim, engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, payload, and factory towing equipment. Towlytics lists the Subaru Crosstrek with a maximum towing capacity of up to 1,500 lbs when properly equipped.

What Towing Features Does the Subaru Crosstrek Have?

  • Available factory towing package
  • trailer sway control
  • receiver hitch and wiring harness where equipped
  • upgraded cooling on some trims
  • AWD or 4WD availability
  • driver-assist systems that help with visibility and lane awareness while towing.

What Comes With the Subaru Crosstrek Towing Package?

The Subaru Crosstrek towing package usually includes the core equipment required to tow safely, such as a hitch receiver, wiring harness, trailer stability features, and sometimes upgraded cooling or drivetrain-specific equipment. Exact package content changes by year and trim.

What can the Subaru Crosstrek tow?

The Subaru Crosstrek is best suited for small utility trailers, bike trailers, lightweight gear trailers, and very light recreational towing. Always confirm the exact rating on the vehicle certification label, owner's manual, and manufacturer towing guide before towing.

Subaru Crosstrek Towing FAQ

How much can the Subaru Crosstrek tow?

Towlytics lists the Subaru Crosstrek with a maximum towing capacity of up to 1,500 lbs when properly equipped. Actual capacity depends on the specific year, trim, engine, drivetrain, payload, and towing package.

Does the Subaru Crosstrek need a towing package?

Some Subaru Crosstrek configurations may require a factory towing package or specific equipment to reach the highest tow rating. Check the exact year and trim because hitch, wiring, cooling, axle ratio, and brake-controller availability can change by configuration.

Can the Subaru Crosstrek tow a camper?

The Subaru Crosstrek may be able to tow a camper depending on the camper's loaded weight, tongue weight, passengers, cargo, and the vehicle's payload rating. Compare the loaded trailer weight against the exact tow rating and keep tongue weight within payload limits.

Trailer parts guide

Recommended Trailer Parts for the Subaru Crosstrek

This vehicle is best treated as a light-duty tow vehicle. The safest upgrade path is usually a vehicle-specific receiver hitch, basic trailer wiring, and a correctly sized ball mount rather than heavy towing hardware. For the Subaru Crosstrek, start with fitment-specific parts and confirm all ratings against the owner’s manual, door-jamb payload label, hitch label, and trailer manufacturer specs.

Recommended profile: Light SUV towing kit

1. Hitch Receiver

Vehicle-specific Class II or Class III receiver hitch, depending on available fitment and the owner's manual rating.

2. Trailer Wiring

4-pin flat wiring harness for utility trailers and small cargo trailers. Only move to 7-pin if the trailer requires brakes or auxiliary power.

3. Ball Mount

Standard fixed ball mount matched to trailer height; avoid overbuying a heavy adjustable hitch unless needed.

4. Brake Controller

Usually not needed for small trailers, but required if the trailer has electric brakes or local law requires it.

5. Sway Control

Usually not recommended for very light towing; focus first on payload, tongue weight, tire pressure, and proper loading.

6. Useful Extras

Hitch cargo carrier, light-duty safety chains, trailer coupler lock, and tire pressure gauge.

Best trailer types for the Subaru Crosstrek

Small utility trailers, cargo carriers, bike trailers, and very light recreational trailers are the most logical starting points. The final answer depends on loaded trailer weight, tongue weight, passenger weight, cargo, drivetrain, tow package, and whether the trailer has brakes.

Subaru Crosstrek Towing Capacity by Year

Year Summary

YearMax TowingEngine options listedConfigs
2015 1,500 lbs 2.0L H4 1
2016 1,500 lbs 2.0L H4 1
2017 1,500 lbs 2.0L H4 1
2018 1,500 lbs 2.0L H4 1
2019 1,500 lbs 2.0L H4 1
2020 1,500 lbs 2.0L H4 1
2021 1,500 lbs 2.0L H4 1
2022 1,500 lbs 2.0L H4 1
2023 1,500 lbs 2.0L H4 1
2024 1,500 lbs 2.5L H4 1

All Subaru Crosstrek Configurations

YearTrimEngineDrivetrainMax TowingPayloadTow PackageGCWRGeneration
2015 Premium 2.0L H4 AWD 1,500 lbs 1,100 lbs No 5,000 lbs Gen1/2
2016 Premium 2.0L H4 AWD 1,500 lbs 1,100 lbs No 5,000 lbs Gen1/2
2017 Premium 2.0L H4 AWD 1,500 lbs 1,100 lbs No 5,000 lbs Gen1/2
2018 Premium 2.0L H4 AWD 1,500 lbs 1,100 lbs No 5,000 lbs Gen1/2
2019 Premium 2.0L H4 AWD 1,500 lbs 1,100 lbs No 5,000 lbs Gen1/2
2020 Premium 2.0L H4 AWD 1,500 lbs 1,100 lbs No 5,000 lbs Gen1/2
2021 Premium 2.0L H4 AWD 1,500 lbs 1,100 lbs No 5,000 lbs Gen1/2
2022 Premium 2.0L H4 AWD 1,500 lbs 1,100 lbs No 5,000 lbs Gen1/2
2023 Premium 2.0L H4 AWD 1,500 lbs 1,100 lbs No 5,000 lbs Gen1/2
2024 Premium 2.5L H4 AWD 1,500 lbs 1,200 lbs No 5,000 lbs Gen3
Before you tow

Subaru Crosstrek Pre-Tow Checklist

Confirm the exact rating

Match the year, trim, engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, and tow package against the owner’s manual and manufacturer towing guide.

Check payload first

Add passengers, cargo, accessories, and estimated tongue weight. Payload is often the real limit for campers and enclosed trailers.

Verify wiring and brakes

Use 4-pin wiring for simple light trailers and 7-pin wiring plus a brake controller for many heavier trailers with brakes.

Leave a safety margin

Avoid planning at the absolute max rating, especially for highway trips, hills, heat, wind, and long-distance towing.

Safety note: Towlytics towing data is a planning aid. Always verify the final rating against your owner’s manual, door-jamb label, hitch label, and manufacturer towing guide before towing.