2024 Subaru Crosstrek

Overview

It has never been a rock-crawling off-roader, but the Subaru Crosstrek has long been an affordable, rugged, and fuel-efficient package designed to go slightly farther off the pavement than an Impreza hatchback. That won't change as the Crosstrek enters its next generation for the 2024 model year. In true Subaru fashion, the Crosstrek's design evolves upon that of its predecessor. The same is true of its interior, which remains as spacious and practical as the 2023 model. Engine options carry over unchanged from 2023, with a 152-hp 2.0-liter flat-four serving as the base engine and a 182-hp 2.5-liter flat-four optionally available. As is the Subaru way, all-wheel drive is standard on all models. Alas, last year's manual transmission is no more, and all 2024 Crosstreks rely on a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Despite this, the new Crosstrek improves notably over the prior generation model, with Subaru redesigning the seats for additional comfort and adding more sound-deadening material to the cabin to better keep outside noise from entering the interior. Given the improvements made for 2024, we saw fit to honor the Crosstrek with a place on our Editors' Choice list.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

#6 in Best Subcompact SUVs

1

Chevrolet Trax

STARTING AT: $21,495

2

Mazda CX-30

STARTING AT: $26,415

3

Buick Envista

STARTING AT: $23,495

4

Volkswagen Taos

STARTING AT: $25,420

5

Kia Niro Hybrid

STARTING AT: $28,315

6

Subaru Crosstrek

STARTING AT: $26,540

What's New for 2024?

It might look very similar to the 2023 Crosstrek, but the Crosstrek undergoes a complete redesign for 2024, kicking off the start of the small crossover's third generation. This year marks the first time Subaru offers the Crosstrek in Wilderness guise. The Crosstrek Wilderness boasts a lifted suspension with 9.3 inches of ground clearance, more rugged exterior design features, and all-terrain tires.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Although Subaru hasn't confirmed, we are expecting to see a plug-in hybrid variant in the lineup as well, but until that model launches, we think the Sport trim will be the one to buy as it unlocks access to the more powerful engine.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2024 Crosstrek comes with a 152-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder as standard, but Sport, Wilderness, and Limited models come with a more powerful 182-hp 2.5-liter four. We expect a 148-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain to join the lineup soon too. None of those have delivered what we'd consider conspicuous performance in the past, and the 2024 model is similarly poky. While Subaru offered the outgoing Crosstrek with either a six-speed stick or a CVT, the automaker sadly dropped the manual this time around. As on most other Subaru models, all-wheel drive is standard. The Crosstrek's chassis isn't taking cues from Subaru's WRX sports sedan. It's a soft-riding crossover, and while its cornering capabilities are likely far more than its intended buyer will need, it doesn't offer the same level of driving enjoyment as the Mazda CX-30 or the Volkswagen Taos. The Crosstrek can probably do more off-roading than those crossovers though, as it boasts at least 8.7 inches of ground clearance and comes with hill-descent control and hill-start assist features. The Wilderness trim offers 9.3 inches of ground clearance and wears more aggressive all-terrain tires. During our initial test drive, we sampled some of the Crosstrek's capabilities on some rutted two-tracks and light off-road trails in Joshua Tree National Park outside Palm Springs, California.

0–60-MPH Times

When we tested a Limited model with the larger of the two four-cylinder engines and recorded a rather lazy 8.1-second time to 60 mph. The Wilderness model, with its all-terrain tires and rugged styling accouterment, needed half a second more to hit 60 mph. the Premium we tested with the 152-hp four was even slower, needing 9.5 seconds to hit 60 mph.

View Photos

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

According to the EPA, the Crosstrek is rated for up to 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway depending on the configuration. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, the Crosstrek with the base engine managed an impressive 36 mpg, but we also got 35 mpg with the more powerful engine, so there's not much penalty for going with the 2.5-liter variant. The Wilderness model managed only 27 mpg in the same test. For more information about the Crosstrek's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

While the new Crosstrek is about as spacious and cargo-friendly as the outgoing model, Subaru has improved the seat design to be more comfortable and has added additional sound-deadening materials to damp noises and quell vibrations. The interior remains overtly utilitarian and buyers seeking a more designer look will feel shortchanged by the Subaru's straightforward style. Leather upholstery is optional, but most trims come with cloth upholstery, and higher-end models will have patterned inserts with silver stitching. The front doors have deep pockets for storing water bottles and other loose items, and the cargo area offers 20 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

View Photos

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2024 Crosstrek will offer the same 11.6-inch infotainment display that's found in other Subaru models such as the Outback station wagon and the WRX sports sedan, but it's not standard. A smaller 7.0-inch display is what comes on the base model, but both screens offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

The 2024 Crosstrek offers Subaru's latest EyeSight driver-assistance feature bundle as standard. For more information about the Crosstrek's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Subaru's warranty coverage is exactly in line with that of most of its competitors. As with many rival hybrids, the plug-in Crosstrek comes with an extra policy to cover that car's expensive battery-electric components.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Hybrid-component warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

Specifications

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $33,540/$35,810
Options: Option package (Harman/Kardon audio system, power moonroof, 10-way power driver’s seat), $2270

ENGINE
DOHC 16-valve flat-4, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 152 in³, 2498 cm³
Power: 182 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque: 178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm

TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.4-in vented disc/11.2-in vented disc
Yokohama Geolander A/T G015
225/60R-17 99T M+S 3PMSF

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 104.9 in
Length: 176.4 in
Width: 71.7 in
Height: 63.6 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 55/4 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 55/20 ft³
Curb Weight: 3447 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 8.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 16.7 sec @ 83 mph
100 mph: 27.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 8.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.3 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 120 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 175 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.81 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 22 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 27 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 440 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 27/25/29 mpg

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $27,440/$29,685
Options: Option package, including 10-way power driver's seat with 2-way adjustable lumbar, power moonroof, blind-spot detection and land-change assist with rear cross-traffic alert, All-Weather package with heated front seats, mirrors, and wipers, $2245

ENGINE
DOHC 16-valve flat-4, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 122 in³, 1995 cm³
Power: 152 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 145 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

TRANSMISSION
Continuously variable automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.4-in vented disc/11.2-in vented disc
Tires: Yokohama Geolander G91
225/60R-17 99H M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.1 in
Length: 176.4 in
Width: 70.9 in
Height: 63.0 in
Passenger Volume, F/ R: 55/44 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 55/20 ft³
Curb Weight: 3352 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 9.5 sec
1/4-Mile: 17.4 sec @ 84 mph
100 mph: 27.0 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 10.5 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 5.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.6 sec
Top Speed (C/D est): 120 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.83 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 28 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 36 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 590 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 29/27/34 mpg

More Features and Specs