2024 Subaru Crosstrek
Did you know that the Subaru Crosstrek is the second-most popular vehicle in its lineup today?
Its popularity is based on the fact that Subaru customers wanted something that can do the same job as the Outback and Forester, but with a smaller footprint. That alone has attracted a new legion of owners whose active lifestyles do not need to be larger than it should be.
The Crosstrek continues to be developed from the Impreza hatchback and given a more rugged treatment – including a higher ride height. For 2024, Subaru updated the current Crosstrek with a sharper design and a host of improvements all around.
However, the Crosstrek continues to be built on Subaru’s Global Platform. Unlike its Impreza cousin, it sits 8.7-inches from the surface giving the Crosstrek a taller profile. It has also been engineered with 10% more body rigidity than the 2023 model. The main updates differences on the 2024 Crosstrek include an enlarged grille and front bumper skin, the claw-type taillights and rear bumper design. Subaru continues to distinguish the Crosstrek from its Impreza cousin.
Our Premium tester came with 17-inch alloy wheels and some chrome trim all around. The roof rails are sturdy and can be used for extra gear when trekking to the cabin.
The biggest change inside the 2024 Crosstrek is the new 11.6-inch Starlink portrait touchscreen in the center stack, as seen on the Outback and Legacy. This elevates the technology package for the Crosstrek Premium with a few tactile controls on each side of the extensive screen. The instrumentation binnacle is clean, with an informative digital screen in-between the two analog dials. The steering wheel adds more – and much improved – tactile controls.
Front seat comfort is really good. The Premium’s cloth seats are accommodating and supportive, with plenty of bolstering. Rear seat room is actually good for people just over six-feet tall. You can sit up to five inside the Crosstrek without any fatigue. The cargo space is actually very useful, starting with 19.9 cubic feet expanding to 54.7 cubic feet with the rear seat down.
Powering our Crosstrek Premium is the standard 152-horsepower 2.0-liter horizontally opposed “Boxer” four-cylinder engine. With the continuously variable transmission and Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, this engine will do the job of getting you around. The CVT does wind up before settling into a cruise. You can also enable X Mode for improved traction through the touchscreen.
In terms of fuel consumption, we experienced an average of 29.7 MPG.
The Crosstrek’s ride quality is very good. Even with the higher ground clearance at 8.7 inches, suspension travel is well-managed and absorbs the bumps and cracks on all sorts of roads. Cornering is good with nominal roll and lean. Maneuverability is also very good, which makes for good handling all around.
The smaller size does help in creating tight turns. We like how the steering is responsive with great on-center feel and weight. The brakes are absolutely great! The pedal feel is solid and responsive down to the calipers. We experienced very good stops in normal and panic situations.
Subaru has always lead the way in terms of safety technology and driver assistance. For 2024, the Crosstrek offers its excellent EyeSight driver assistance system standard on all trim levels. The two sensors on top of the windshield does an excellent job for many of its active safety systems to keep the Subaru on the road, as well as protecting its occupants.
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek lineup is available in five rim levels – including the off-road ready Wilderness model, featuring a taller ground clearance, beefier suspension and tires, and the more powerful 2.5-liter Boxer engine. Pricing for the 2024 Crosstrek starts from $24,995. Our Premium tester came with a sticker price of $29,685.
There is no doubt that consumers are looking at the Crosstrek. Even those who are cross-shopping it with its rivals. These competitors include the Jeep Renegade and Compass, Nissan Rogue Sport, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and Eclipse Cross, Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda HR-V, Volkswagen Taos, Fiat 500X, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and Buick Encore GX.
With visual and structural improvements, the updated 2024 Subaru Crosstrek continues to attract a loyal consumer base for the brand. It is also for those looking for something smaller with the capabilities people with active lifestyles require. That is what the Subaru Crosstrek is all about.
Credits: CarSoup Editors
