The Crosstrek is a five-passenger compact SUV (raised hatchback) that first debuted in 2013. 2024 marks the start of its third generation which made its North American market debut at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show. The new model combines updates to the exterior and interior with a new stiffer chassis. It is available in five trims that include the Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Wilderness.
The Base and Premium are equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder direct-injection boxer engine producing 152-hp and 145 lb.-ft. of torque. The Sport and Limited upgrade to a 2.5-liter boxer engine delivering a responsive 182 hp and 178 lb.-ft. of torque. Standard on all trim levels is a Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with smoother and quieter performance. All models come standard with symmetrical all-wheel drive. Prices start at $24,995 for the Base model and climb to a starting price of $31,995 for the Wilderness. Competition includes vehicles such as the Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Jeep Renegade, Kia Soul, Mazda CX-30, and Volkswagen Taos. I spent a week in the 2024 Crosstrek Sport and here's what stood out...
Exterior Styling (+)Subaru fans will be glad to see that the Crosstrek hasn't strayed too far from its roots in its styling. Like most Subarus, the new style is more of an evolution of the previous model versus something completely different. Changes include a new frameless hexagonal grille, slimmer headlights, a more sculpted body, and a broader stance. Black wheel arch cladding and rocker panels provide a sharp contrast to the body color. My test Sport model also came with gold trim enhancements all around the lower portion of the Crosstrek. The accent pieces worked well on a vehicle like this with rugged edges and body cladding. I was even complemented by the gold/blue color combination by a stranger while I was cleaning it up at the car wash. The Crosstrek has a solid stance with 8.7-inches of ground clearance. The proportions are well-balanced all around. The Base and Premium come standard with 17-inch alloy wheels and the Sport and Limited upgrade to 18-inch alloy wheels that are stylish and match the overall vehicle design.
Wilderness (+)Shortly after its North American debut in Chicago, Subaru also introduced a Wilderness edition at the New York International Auto Show in April. For starters, it gets an elevated 9.3 inches of ground clearance and exclusive body cladding. Subaru engineered the Crosstrek Wilderness drivetrain for better off-road performance by installing a revised differential gear ratio and retuned Lineartronic CVT. This improves the SUV's climbing ability and the new tuning for the CVT optimizes traction at low speeds and on slippery surfaces. Additionally, maximum towing capacity more than doubles to 3,500 lb. thanks to the addition of a transmission oil cooler. It also comes standard with Reverse Automatic Braking that adds an extra measure of safety in tight trail situations and while parking.
And finally, it's visually different as it adds exclusive styling with all-new front and rear bumpers, bold hexagonal front grille, larger wheel arch cladding, metal front skid plate, unique hex-design LED fog lights and an anti-glare hood decal in matte-black finish. Subaru Wilderness badges are added to the front doors and rear gate. A body-color roof spoiler and black side mirrors with integrated turn signals complement the SUV's rugged look. Among the exterior colors offered, the Crosstrek Wilderness is available in Geyser Blue, which is exclusive to the Wilderness family.
The seats are upholstered in comfortable, water-resistant Subaru StarTex material that features the Subaru Wilderness logo embossed in the front headrests. Bold copper colored contrast stitching accents the interior, complementing the anodized copper-finish accents on the shifter, gauge meter rings and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Black pillar trim, assist grips, overhead console, and headliner pairs well with the Gunmetal Grey trim used on the dash, doors, and shifter plate.
Performance (+)There are two powertrain options available in the 2024 Crosstrek. I spent time driving the 2.5L 4-cylinder that delivers 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. I have not driven the base 2.0L so this review is based on the larger engine. Power was sufficient and zippy for around town driving. It packs a little punch and is light on its feet. Overall, it's not the most powerful option as it gets from 0-60 MPH in around 8.6 seconds, but it does manage well thanks to its driving dynamics and weight distribution. On the highway, power was good enough to merge into traffic and pass the drivers on the right. It won't win against a WRX STI, nor is it intended to.
The overall driving dynamics have been improved with this new generation to provide a smoother ride and better handling. The Crosstrek is confident and well-grounded as it takes corners with little body roll. It absorbs road imperfections to deliver a smooth ride. Steering is well-weighted and the brakes are strong. It receives a version of the WRX's dual-pinion electronic power steering rack, providing a more direct and natural steering feel and greater responsiveness. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by its performance, and it is more fun than I expected. The Premium, Sport and Limited trims feature a manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters that allow the driver to control the transmission via eight pre-set ratios. as it was easy to drive both on and off the pavement.
Versatility (+)All Crosstrek models come with standard all-wheel drive catering to a buyer who wants more utility from their vehicle. The revised Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system has a faster response time, more agile handling, and better control both on- and off-road. Driver-selectable X-MODE with Hill Descent Control maximizes wheel control on slippery surfaces and steep inclines. Sport and Limited trims upgrade to dual-function X-MODE for increased capability in a wider range of conditions. All models feature Incline Start Assist, which briefly holds the vehicle while the driver pulls away from a stop on a hill.
I drove the Crosstrek on the off-road course at Road America for the Midwest Automotive Media Association spring rally. Its standard ground clearance of 8.7 inches was enough to handle the course with ease navigating through tight trails, climbing hills, and splashing through water. This Subaru was built for adventure seekers, and it has proved more than capable. I have also seen many Subaru owners outfit their Crosstrek with all-terrain tires and other off-road modifications. These modified Subarus have always impressed me as they keep up with Jeeps and Toyota trucks on some pretty hard off-road courses.
Fuel Economy (+)When it arrived with a full 16.6-gallon tank, it offered a driving range of around 500 miles. The 2.5L model has an EPA estimated 26/33/29 MPG city/highway/combined. The smaller 2.0L does slightly better with 27/34/30 MPG. These estimates are above average for the subcompact class and even more impressive when you factor in that every model comes with AWD.
Interior (+)Hopping inside, the interior has also been updated with an enhanced focus on its occupants and overall functionality. Drivers will face a traditional gauge cluster with a 4.2" information screen at the center. At the center of the dash, it comes standard with dual 7" touch screens or an optional 11.16" vertical touchscreen. Materials are durable and rugged with good build quality. It's an interior capable of getting dirty on an adventure in the woods or with some kids. The center console utilizes a traditional gear shifter and tucked behind that is a wireless device charging tray that is easy to access. There are two cup holders capable of holding average size drinks and a fairly large center storage console. The overall vibe is rugged with its chunky layout and mixed materials.
Cloth upholstery, a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat and a four-way manually adjustable front passenger's seat come standard. Upgraded cloth, leather, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are available. My Sport model had upgraded cloth that felt durable and looked good with a unique pattern at the center and gold trimming on the outside to match the exterior of the car. It may not be a look everyone will like, but I thought it worked well with the car's overall vibe. The seats are comfortable and supportive with good visibility all around. There is plenty of head, leg, and shoulder room up front. Subaru has mounted the seats directly to the chassis to reduce body movement and provide improved pelvic support that helps bring a less fatiguing experience. The rear seats did accommodate my three kids, but it was on the tighter side. Two adults will fit in the back, but headroom isn't as plentiful as it is in the front, but still decent for the class.
Cargo (+/-)There is 19.9 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 54.7 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down. These numbers are respectable amongst its competitors but are slightly less than the previous generation. The rear hatch opening is wide, however, only operates manually. There is no power liftgate option on the Crosstrek, which is a miss considering its standard in most vehicles now.
Technology (+)Like many Subaru models, the Crosstrek is available with some of the latest technology features. My Sport model came equipped with the available high-resolution 11.6" vertical touchscreen (a first for the Crosstrek) as its centerpiece in the dash. It integrates with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto seamlessly with a full screen display. The screen also serves as homebase for audio, vehicle, and climate functionality. It works well and is intuitive to operate. The STARLINK Multimedia Navigation system is also available and includes voice-activated navigation powered by TomTom and SiriusXM Travel Link (3-year free subscription). The navigation system has what3words integration, an innovative location technology that provides a simple way to communicate precise locations using just three simple words. While most of the functionality is through the touchscreen, it does include knobs for volume/tuning and push buttons for climate controls along the sides of the screen. Also available is a Harmon Kardon premium audio system on Limited models that gets a total of 10 speakers (2 more than 2023).
Safety / Driver Assist (+)Standard on all 2024 Crosstrek models is the latest version of the award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. The enhanced system operates more smoothly and quickly and under a greater range of conditions. These improvements are thanks to a wider field of view, updated control software and the addition of an electric brake booster. EyeSight can identify bicycles and pedestrians at intersections sooner and, when necessary, alerts the driver and applies braking to avoid collisions.
Other standard safety features in the Crosstrek that includes:
* Adaptive cruise control
* Automatic high beams
* Evasive steering assist
* Forward collision warning
* Forward automatic emergency braking
* Lane-departure warning
* Lane-keep assist
* Pedestrian and cyclist detection
* Rear-seat reminder
Additional available active safety features include Reverse Automatic Braking and Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. The compact SUV has received safety awards from trusted organizations including the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The outgoing Crosstrek was named a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick and received superior ratings in frontal crash prevention. Bottom line, this is a well-rated and safe option in the class.
Final Statement:This was the first Subaru I spent a week in for review and I was very impressed with all aspects of it. I enjoyed how easy it was to drive and how intuitive the technology was. Even though its power output is average, it felt zippy and well-poised on the road in everyday conditions. As a bonus, I was able to experience its off-road capabilities as well, which are quite impressive. This is a versatile vehicle that does a lot of things really well and is worth considering.
First Impression Summary:
Test Vehicle: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport
Exterior Color: Sapphire Blue Pearl
Notable Options: Option Package 22; Blind-spot detection & Rear Cross-traffic alert, power moonroof, 10-way power driver seat ($1,920)
Price as tested: $32,210 (with destination charge)