First Drive: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek 2.5-liter

Subaru has been selling the Crosstrek subcompact crossover SUV for 10 years now, and it’s become one of the most popular models for the brand. 

In 2022, the Crosstrek had its biggest year ever, earning the title of best-selling Subaru in America. Buyers bought 155,142 Crosstreks that year, besting the larger Outback and Forester SUVs. Both MotorTrend and Consumer Reports have rated the Crosstrek as the top subcompact SUV in America. 

Now with an all-new update for 2024, it’s likely that the Crosstrek’s winning streak will continue. 

Overview

The Subaru Crosstrek is a five-passenger, two-row subcompact SUV, with standard symmetrical all-wheel drive and the buyer’s choice of a 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter engine. As one of the most affordable small SUVs on the market, the Crosstrek was awarded the title of Best Value SUV by the Northwest Automotive Press Association at our annual “Mudfest” SUV of the Year competition. 

We chose the Crosstrek for its affordability, balanced by its excellent on- and off-road abilities for budget-minded buyers. The Crosstrek was not only the most affordable vehicle in the competition, but it also had the highest EPA fuel economy ratings. Further, the Crosstrek Sport and Limited trims are made in the U.S., in Lafayette, Indiana. 

Exterior

The new third-generation Crosstrek is not hugely different from prior generations. It’s still an attractive hatchback, but the new body features more pronounced fender flares and a bit more protective body cladding.

The new generation is an improvement and looks more aggressive than past Crosstreks. All trim levels except for the base come with roof rails, as Crosstrek owners are known to like roof tents, pods, and baskets for their adventures. 

Interior

The new Crosstrek interior is also evolutionary, with all but the base trim featuring an 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen infotainment interface. The front seats have also benefitted from a redesign to increase stability for occupants, especially on uneven road surfaces. 

Overall, the Crosstrek is made to be used, with features like real waterproof and mud-proof cargo trays, optional rubberized protection for the rear seat backs, and even an optional set of heavy-duty seat covers and a big cargo area cushion for those with pets who ride along. 

Powertrain

We recently published a First Drive of the 2.0-liter Crosstrek, and the main difference with the 2.5-liter engine is power. The 2.0-liter engine will be delivered in the base and Premium trims, with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Sport, Limited, and the upcoming Wilderness models get the 2.5-liter version making 182 hp and 178 lb-ft.

The difference between the two powertrains is not as stark as it was in the last generation, but it’s still substantial. The 2.5-liter engine is the one you want, as you sacrifice only 1 mpg at most, and the combined EPA real-world fuel economy is identical. 

All models come with Subaru’s continuously variable automatic transmission, driving the brand’s signature all-wheel-drive system. The Crosstrek comes with X-Mode traction control, which allows the little SUV almost uncanny ability to traverse loose and slippery surfaces both uphill and down. 

Safety and Technology

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the 2023 Crosstrek a five-star crash test rating, and there’s little reason to think the next generation will be less safe. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety consistently rates the Crosstrek as a “Top Safety Pick,” and that rating is expected to continue as well. 

One big reason for the Crosstrek’s excellent safety rating is Subaru’s EyeSight advanced driver assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control and lane centering. This is standard equipment on all trims and brings the most affordable SUV up to the top tier in modern advanced driver assistance and safety features. All trims — except base — come with blind-spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert. The steering assistance also implements automatic emergency steering, which will swerve the car to avoid obstacles. 

As mentioned, the dash infotainment on all trims over base is an 11.6-inch touchscreen, oriented vertically in the dash. This gives you plenty of screen real estate, especially if you buy the optional navigation in the top Limited trim. However, the 11.6-inch screen also includes Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so navigation is easy in any case. The top two trims, Sport and Limited, also come with a wireless device charging pad in the center console. 

Driving Impressions

The Crosstrek competes with an extensive lineup of small SUVs, including the Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross, Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Jeep Renegade, Nissan Kicks, and the Mazda CX-30. Of all these, only the Mazda competes with the Crosstrek in driving experience. 

The new Crosstrek is stable, quiet, nimble and quick on the road. This is an economy SUV with the driving dynamics of a hatchback car, and the interior noise of a midsize luxury vehicle. There’s none of the tinny, cheap feeling you get with many economy small crossovers. Even with the 2.0-liter engine, you get decent acceleration and highway performance. The 2.5-liter delivers even more confidence when it’s time to make a pass. 

When you get off-road, the Subaru really outshines all other competitors. The X-Mode system functions as traction control when climbing steep grades on loose or wet surfaces, and then converts to hill descent control that will keep the ute under control on far more challenging drops than you or I want to attempt. The Crosstrek is a favorite of the outdoor sports and hiking crowd, and there are very good reasons for this preference. If you want to get there, this is your ride. 

2024 Subaru Crosstrek 2.5-Liter Specifications

Dimension	L: 176.4 inches/W: 70.9 inches/H: 63 inches/Wheelbase: 105.1 inches
Weight	3,349 pounds
Powertrain	2.5-liter, DOHC boxer 4-cylinder engine; CVT
Fuel Economy	26 mpg city/33 mpg highway/29 mpg combined
Performance Specs	182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque
Price	Base price: $30,290; As tested: $31,190 including $1,295 destination charge
On-Sale Date	Available now

Wrap Up

As we mentioned, there are four trim levels in the 2024 Crosstrek, and soon to be five when the Wilderness edition arrives later this year. Base and Premium trims have been reported before, and the Sport trim with the 2.5-liter engine starts at $30,290 including delivery fees. Options are few, but you can get a power moonroof; blind-spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert, and a 10-way power driver seat with two-way lumbar support for $1,920. 

But at that point you might as well get all that stuff and more for $32,190 by selecting the top Limited trim. You’ll also get leather, better wheels, upgraded headlights, and more. The option packs available for Limited include a power moonroof and Harman Kardon 10-speaker audio system for $1,795. You can also add a navigation system and the Harman Kardon audio system for $2,445.

If you really want the Crosstrek for off-road use, you should probably wait a few months and get the Crosstrek Wilderness, which will be out later this year. The Wilderness package adds a body lift, all-terrain tires, and a 4.11 final drive ratio to allow the Crosstrek to climb steeper hills. The new final drive ratio also boosts the Crosstrek Wilderness towing capacity to 3,500 pounds.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness will be priced at $33,290 including all fees. For an additional $2,270 on that trim, you can get the option pack including a power moonroof, 10-way power driver seat with two-way lumbar support, and the Harman Kardon audio system.

The long and short of it is that the Subaru Crosstrek price and feature ladder is pretty compact, so there’s every reason to climb to the top and get the car you really want for not a lot of extra money. 

2024 Subaru Crosstrek 2.5-Liter ­— Frequently Asked Questions

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• Source: https://www.thedetroitbureau.com/reviews/first-drive-2024-subaru-crosstrek-2-5-liter/