- 2024 Subaru Crosstrek First Drive Review: A Lesson In Compromise
- 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Models
- Exterior: Busy, But With Reason
- Drivetrain: All-Wheel-Drive Goodness
- Infotainment:
- Driving: A Great All-Rounder
- Who Is The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek For?
- Check other Subaru Crosstrek Styles
- Subaru Crosstrek Popular Comparisons
- Subaru Crosstrek News
2024 Subaru Crosstrek
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2024 Subaru Crosstrek First Drive Review: A Lesson In Compromise
by Ian Wright
Outdoor people have an affinity for Subaru, and the Crosstek has served the brand and its customers for the last two generations as an entry-level crossover capable of real adventure and off-road acumen. But with crossovers now in the mainstream, it's time for a massive update.
It's hard to call the third generation of the subcompact crossover all-new, as it's built on the same Subaru Global Platform that underpinned the previous model and the variations of the Impreza Hatch upon which the Crosstrek is based. But despite this, the improvements in the chassis and technology qualify it for a new volume rather than just a new chapter in the same old book.
Subaru promised us better steering, a stiffer body, and a significant upgrade to the Crosstrek's standard symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, among other things.
For the 2024 model, Subaru is offering two four-cylinder boxer engine choices split evenly across four trim levels. For the cheaper trim levels, there's a 2.0-liter engine making 152 horsepower. For the Sport and Limited trims, it's a 2.5-liter unit making 182 hp.
Usually, automakers set us up with the higher trim models for first-drive events, but the 2.5-liter model won't be available until the factory making the new engine comes online. Instead, the automaker set us loose in our familiar California stomping ground covering Palm Springs and Joshua Tree State Park in the Premium trim Crosstrek, which is second on the ladder.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Models
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base |
2.0L Flat 4 Gas |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
All-Wheel Drive |
$24,995 |
| Premium |
2.0L Flat 4 Gas |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
All-Wheel Drive |
$26,145 |
| Sport |
2.5L Flat 4 Gas |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
All-Wheel Drive |
$28,995 |
| Limited |
2.5L Flat 4 Gas |
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) |
All-Wheel Drive |
$30,895 |
See all Trims and Specs
Exterior: Busy, But With Reason
The predominant aesthetic feature on the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is the new frameless hexagonal grille, followed by more compact headlights and the re-sculptured bodywork. However, it's clearly still a Crosstrek and retains the same footprint as the previous version. Not all of the new styling is purely for looks, though, and Subaru turned its attention to the aerodynamics for the third generation with an eye to making it more stable at higher speeds. On the trailing edge of the front wheel arches, there are new air outlets that remove the pressure that tries to lift the front of the car and lighten the steering. At the back, the rear bumper has new outlets that vent the air so it's not trapped and able to decrease stability in a straight line.
The new grille is active, meaning it can open and close depending on how much air the engine requires for cooling at different speeds. The two lower trim models ride on 17-inch wheels while the upper trims use wider 18-inch wheels, but all are wrapped with all-season tires.
Subaru doesn't try to promote the cabin of the new Crosstrek using words like “premium” or “luxurious,” and what you get is an honest interior that doesn't pretend to play outside its price range. In fact, you can see where money has been saved to make sure the drivetrain and safety features provide the most value. That doesn't mean it's not a pleasant place to spend time on the move, though. And, with plenty of plastic and durable seat materials, it should be easy to clean – which is a feature on a vehicle that's hugely popular with people that love to hike and, particularly, dog owners. The new seats were comfortable for the eight hours we spent inside the Crosstrek – taking into account two very different body types.
Despite an effort to keep pricing low, features like keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, and welcome lighting are included on the $24,995 base model. However, the base model gets a 7.0-inch touchscreen over the 11.6-inch unit throughout the rest of the lineup.
Drivetrain: All-Wheel-Drive Goodness
For the two lower-trim models, you get a 2.0-liter engine making 152 hp with 145 lb-ft of torque. It makes enough power to get around daily, including getting up to freeway speeds. It's also enough for climbing hills in the dirt or on slippery surfaces, as the Crosstrek weighs a smidge under 3,300 pounds. We didn't get to drive the new 2.5-liter engine, but it makes a more useful 182 hp and 178 lb-ft, and it's on par with most compact crossovers on the market. The smaller engine is definitely a compromise, but one Subaru has weighed up well and is perfectly appropriate for the car and cost. It also gets 27/34/29 mpg city/highway/combined, which isn't amazing, but it's reasonable. The 2.5-liter engine gets 26/33/29 mpg.
Both engines are mated to a CVT that Subaru has spent time refining – and it shows. The transmission fades into the background and goes about its business with little fuss or droning. Which is exactly what a continuously variable transmission should do. On Premium, Sport, and Limited trims, there's a manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters that hardly anyone will use. It's a CVT and best left to its own devices. Subaru also tells us it concentrated on reducing vibration from the unit, which is part of the recipe used to reduce cabin noise, and we'll touch on that shortly.
While you don't get amazing engines in the Crosstrek, you do get Subaru's excellent symmetrical all-wheel-drive system with its freshly fine-tuned Active Torque Vectoring and SI-Drive performance management systems. The Base, Premium, and Limited come with Subaru's X-MODE with Hill Descent Control for when things get tricky off-road. The Sport trim comes with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes, which we'll check out when we get a chance for a full week's test drive.
We only got a chance to challenge the Crosstrek on a short but steep off-road play area, and it was a reminder of just how good the X-MODE system is that it never has to rely on raw power. You can feel it shifting torque and applying braking where needed. We wouldn't recommend a Subaru to someone who off-roads for off-roading sake, but the Crosstrek's job is to get you to that hiking, camping, or kayaking spot off of the freeway. If those routes need a ton of ground clearance, you'll want something built for the job. But for most people's needs, the Crosstrek is more than capable.
Infotainment:
Base models get a dual 7.0-inch infotainment screen that features the basics like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto functionality. With that setup, the second 7-inch screen handles climate and vehicle settings.
Moving into Premium trim and above, infotainment is covered by Subaru's 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system that doesn't bring a lot of added features, and climate controls and vehicle settings, including X-MODE, are baked in. That means the screen is busy and sometimes a bit of a mess. However, it's fluid and responsive to use and deep in its functionality if you venture into its apps. It can also be upgraded to include GPS navigation, and a Harman Kardon sound system can be added.
Driving: A Great All-Rounder
Subaru has done a fantastic job of making the Crosstrek a naturally easy car to drive, which is a tricky thing to do in an age full of driver aids and electronically assisted steering. In flowing traffic and around town, it's light and easy to drive, and the new dual-pinion steering lifted from the new WRX is effortless while giving just enough feedback to keep you feeling connected with the road. Getting out of the city and exploring Box Canyon and Joshua Tree State park, we started to notice how sharp and precise the steering is when it needs to be. The Crosstrek doesn't pretend to be, nor should it, a sports car, but it adds to a general feeling of effortlessness for the driver.
For anyone that likes to drive with a degree of briskness, the 2.0-liter powered drivetrain will be a disappointment. It's no quicker than the last model. However, we never struggled to keep up with traffic, even on the freeway.
The real test for interior noise and vibration came on the freeway, and there is a noticeable improvement. It's not like the previous generation was bad or even below expectation, but the 2024 does have a quality-of-life improvement there. There's nothing to complain about with the ride quality, either. It rolls along like a compact crossover should and faired better than most on some unmaintained and heavily broken highway. Moving onto a dirt track, it was the same story, and we weren't jostled unnecessarily, even when driving a little faster than was necessary.
It may sound damning with faint praise, but Subaru's engineers have managed to tread that fine line between making something that's comfortable and compliant on a dirt track but also firm and responsive on the road. It's one of the many excellently balanced compromises that permeate the Crosstrek.
Who Is The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek For?
If you've read your way through this, then chances are you're in the ballpark demographics for the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. It's priced as an entry-level vehicle, but it will serve adventurous singles and couples well for a long time, while new families will eventually outgrow it.
While Subaru isn't alone in the adventure vehicle space anymore, the 2024 Crosstrek starts at $26,290 with delivery charges included, and we're not sure there's much better for the money if all-wheel-drive is a box that needs to be ticked. Other compact crossovers in the same price range offer more attractive interiors and more exciting engine choices, but that's the compromise necessary to make for such a good all-wheel-drive system and standard safety features. But Subaru has done an excellent job making sure that compromise isn't painful. While not exciting, the interior is comfortable and useful, and the base engine is perfectly adequate. As a result, the Crosstrek is an excellent little crossover for those who need a car that handles daily traffic and can competently get them to that hiking or camping spot at the weekend.
Check other Subaru Crosstrek Styles
Subaru Crosstrek Popular Comparisons
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Subaru Crosstrek News
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Arrives In America With New 2.5L Engine And Sport Trim
The third-gen Crosstrek has made its public debut in US spec at the Chicago Auto Show.
Subaru Teases 2024 Crosstrek One Last Time Before Chicago
Revealing a bit more of the US-only Sport trim.
Subaru Teases New 2024 Crosstrek Ahead Of Chicago Reveal
But we already know what the car will look like.
Keyword: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek