2024 Subaru Crosstrek

Take one Subaru Impreza hatchback, raise the suspension, slap on some body cladding, and you've got yourself a Subaru Crosstrek crossover SUV. That recipe has worked wonders for Subaru since the automaker introduced the first Crosstrek more than a decade ago. In fact, Subaru says the Crosstrek is more than just successful. It calls the popular small SUV the "fastest-selling vehicle" in the company's history.

Now Subaru has launched the redesigned 2024 Crosstrek, and it's clear the automaker's smallest crossover is sticking to a tried-and-true recipe. It's essentially the same size as before and continues on with the same engines. The biggest changes relate to the 2024 model's updated styling and addition of Subaru's latest technology and driver assist features. It's also notable that versions with the 2.5-liter engine of the third-generation 2024 Subaru Crosstrek will roll out of the company's Indiana factory for the first time.

Base and Premium trims get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (152 horsepower, 145 lb-ft of torque), while the Sport, Limited and Wilderness employ a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (182 hp, 178 lb-ft). These engines are carryovers from the prior-generation Crosstrek. The previously available six-speed manual transmission for the base engine is gone, leaving a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) as standard equipment. In all but the base trim, paddle shifters provide manual control over eight programmed transmission ratios.

All-wheel drive is standard, and most versions of the 2024 Crosstrek match the outgoing model's generous 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Exclusive to the Wilderness trim is a raised suspension that offers 9.3 inches of clearance. The automaker has improved the AWD system to offer quicker response to changing surface and driving conditions. Hill start assist is standard, along with Subaru's X-Mode traction and drive mode technology, which includes hill descent control. With the Sport, Limited and Wilderness trims, X-Mode offers Deep Snow and Mud settings in addition to Snow and Dirt.

Other mechanical details include new steering derived from the WRX sport sedan, which Subaru says will provide a more direct steering feel and quicker response for the driver and a 10% stiffer body structure. Overall, the 2024 Crosstrek is incrementally improved and drives a bit better than the old model while still being more capable off-road than most other small SUVs.

Subaru says its core focus for the 2024 Crosstrek is to "bring joy and smiles to our adventure-seeking customers" for every day of the week including vacations. That means comfort not just in the daily gridlock but on long road trips as well. After experiencing how well the Crosstrek Premium drove, we feel like Subaru succeeded.

The ride has been improved over the previous generation, and the Crosstrek feels smooth on the highway. We also drove it off-road and also found it's capable of absorbing rougher terrain and deep ruts. The updated X-Mode system is pretty capable for maximizing available traction and keeping the Crosstrek moving, even when the car is lifting a wheel off the ground. We're also excited about the possibility of a future Wilderness model that would gain similar enhancements as those on the Forester and Outback Wilderness models.

During our brief multi-terrain drive, we were able to experience the updated steering system and it responds very well and provides good feel. While highway cruising, small inputs keep you in the lane and at slower speeds, it's easy to turn to full-lock, which will help in parking lots.

This new-generation Crosstrek is all about incremental improvements. Unfortunately, the engine would benefit from something more than that. While the Crosstrek's acceleration is adequate for the vehicle, it certainly won't wow anyone. That said, the CVT automatic responds a bit quicker than before when you step on the gas, and the engine is not as loud and rough-sounding thanks to new engine mounts.

This new-generation Crosstrek is all about incremental improvements. Unfortunately, the 2.0-liter engine would benefit from something more than that. While the Crosstrek's acceleration is adequate for the vehicle, it certainly won't wow anyone. The 2.5-liter offers a more engaging driving experience and gets the same EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined that the 2.0-liter does. A 30 horsepower bump to 182 hp makes it one of the more powerful extra-small SUVs available.

Dual-function X-Mode is standard on Sport and Limited trims and adds a second terrain selector: Deep Snow/Mud, which complements the existing Snow/Dirt X-Mode setting. The extra mode is designed to improve performance in tricky all-wheel-drive situations, like driving through deep mud.

We put the Deep Snow/Mud setting to the test on the side of a very muddy ski trail and found it performed essentially as advertised. Hill descent control, which manages speed and traction while going down hills, worked well. And the Crosstrek crawled its way out of deep, muddy ruts on more than one occasion thanks to the increased wheelspin.

As it has in the current-generation WRX sedan and redesigned 2024 Impreza, Subaru updates and refines the new Crosstrek's cabin. Still, from the materials and analog instrumentation to the switchgear and overall layout, the Crosstrek remains unabashedly a Subaru. Overall interior passenger space is essentially unchanged from the previous model.

Cloth seats are standard, with leather available in the Crosstrek Limited. Subaru's new seat designs improve support and overall comfort while reducing fatigue on longer drives. The Crosstrek's interior is also quieter when you're driving on the highway.

A dual-zone automatic climate control system is standard in every new Crosstrek. Available upgrades include a sunroof, a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, a larger touchscreen infotainment system and more.

Subaru offers two different approaches to the Crosstrek's infotainment and climate control systems. In the base model, the SUV features dual 7-inch touchscreen displays stacked atop one another. The top screen controls the infotainment functions, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite radio. The bottom screen is for the dual-zone climate system and other vehicle settings.

Upgrade to the Crosstrek Premium, Sport, Limited or Wilderness, and a sharp-looking and responsive 11.6-inch touchscreen display mounted in portrait orientation dominates the center of dashboard. It incorporates the climate system and vehicle settings and adds wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Subaru's Starlink connected services. The Safety and Security subscription plan includes automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, and a remote vehicle locator, among other features.

As you might expect from a Subaru, there are numerous safety features available for the new Crosstrek. Every trim includes steering-responsive LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. In addition, a next-generation EyeSight collection of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems is standard. It benefits from a wider field of view to identify potential collisions sooner, improved software, and an electronic brake booster for smoother braking operation.

During our freeway drive in the Crosstrek Premium, we were able to test the updated EyeSight driver assist technology and can report that, while the following distance is still conservative, it adapted well to the vehicle in front of it and ping-pongs in the lane much less with the active lane keeping assistance than it did with the previous-generation EyeSight.

Also new for 2024 is an available automatic emergency steering system. It helps a driver to avoid a collision at speeds under 50 mph. If the Crosstrek encounters an obstacle blocking part of the lane ahead, automatic emergency steering uses the blind-spot warning system to determine if it is safe to automatically steer the Crosstrek to the outer limit of the travel lane. This may assist a driver in avoiding the obstacle and preventing a collision.

Just as Subarus are known for their safety, utility is an inherent part of any SUV wearing the company's star cluster emblem. With the 2024 Crosstrek, this remains as true as ever. For example, all versions except the base trim provide standard raised roof rails that make it much easier to strap cargo to this small Subie's roof.

However, if you were hoping the redesigned 2024 Crosstrek would have more cargo space, we regret to inform you that it has instead shrunk a little bit. The outgoing Crosstrek offered 20.8 cubic feet of volume behind the back seat, and a maximum of 55.3 cubes with the back seat folded down. The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek's cargo space measurements are 19.9 cubic feet and 54.7 cubes.

Five versions of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek are available: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited and Wilderness. The first four launch first and the Wilderness arrives at dealerships in the fall of 2023. The Base and Premium trims have a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (152 horsepower, 145 lb-ft of torque), and the Sport, Limited and Wilderness trims use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (182 hp, 178 lb-ft). Both engines pair with a CVT and a standard all-wheel-drive system. Here's what you can expect from each trim:

Base
The most affordable version of the Crosstrek comes with:

• 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels
• Steering-responsive LED headlights
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• Satellite radio
• Four-speaker sound system
• USB-A data and charging port
• Cargo tray
• Rear-seat reminder (alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle)

In addition, the base Crosstrek includes Subaru's EyeSight collection of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems. Highlights include:

• Adaptive cruise control (can maintain a driver-set distance between your vehicle and the car in front)
• Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)

Premium
Choose the Crosstrek Premium for these upgrades:

• LED foglights
• Raised roof rails
• Hands-free keyless entry with push-button engine start
• Improved instrumentation
• 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Subaru's Starlink connected services
• Six-speaker sound system
• Additional USB ports

Subaru offers an option package for the Crosstrek Premium. It includes:

• Sunroof
• Heated exterior mirrors
• Heated windshield
• Heated front seats
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Lane keeping assistance (steers the Crosstrek back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)

Sport
You can identify the Crosstrek Sport by its exclusive yellow exterior accents. In addition, this trim level includes:

• 18-inch dark gray alloy wheels
• Gloss black exterior trim
• Heated exterior mirrors
• Heated windshield
• Heated front seats
• Gray cloth upholstery with yellow accents and stitching
• Simulated carbon-fiber dashboard trim
• Yellow metallic instrumentation trim
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
• Wireless smartphone charger

You can add an option package to the Sport containing:

• Sunroof
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning
• Lane keeping assistance
• Evasive steering assistance

Limited
The Crosstrek Limited builds on the Premium trim with:

• Upgraded headlights
• Heated windshield
• Chrome interior accents
• Leather upholstery with orange stitching
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Heated front seats

Additionally, this version of the Crosstrek includes extra driver aids:

• Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning
• Lane keeping assistance
• Evasive steering assistance
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Options for the Crosstrek Limited include:

• Sunroof
• Navigation system
• Harman Kardon premium sound system

Wilderness
The specialized off-roader of the group, the Crosstrek Wilderness has a feature set similar to the Sport's. It also comes with:

• Raised suspension for more ground clearance
• 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires
• Revised powertrain for better off-road capability
• Extra protective plastic body panels
• Synthetic leather upholstery (Subaru's StarTex)
• The Sport trim's optional driver aids

An optional package for the Crosstrek Wilderness adds:

• Sunroof
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Harman Kardon premium sound system