2024 Subaru Crosstrek Road Test and Review

Photo by Brady Holt

Subaru has been known for its rugged small cars for decades. With their standard all-wheel-drive systems and rally-inspired engineering, they became smash hits in places with lots of snow or rutted roads. 

These days, the carmaker’s most popular small model is the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, a subcompact crossover that’s freshly redesigned this year. Since the old Crosstrek was a hot seller even in its final year on the market, Subaru hasn’t dramatically reinvented this mini SUV. But the competition continues to heat up. We just spent a week testing the redesigned 2024 Crosstrek, priced from $24,995, to see how it stacks up in the subcompact crossover segment. Keep reading to learn more about its pros and cons and see if it sounds like the right utility vehicle for you. 

Familiar Styling

Since the first Crosstrek hit the market 11 years ago, Subaru hasn’t touched the model’s basic strategy. It takes the body of the Subaru Impreza compact hatchback, raises the suspension for higher ground clearance, and adds some rugged styling cues. Unlike most crossovers, the Crosstrek doesn’t have its own body or interior — just like how Subaru has built the best-selling mid-size Outback from a Legacy station wagon for nearly 30 years. 

The Crosstrek’s raised-hatchback body means it doesn’t have a boxy SUV look. Its front end is less vertical, and its roof drops down toward the rear of the car. But an outstanding 8.7 inches of ground clearance, big sturdy roof racks, and rugged plastic trim on the bumpers and wheel wells mean the Crosstrek looks tougher than most subcompact crossovers. Versus last year’s model, the headlights and taillights are slimmer and more stretched out, and the front bumper has more design flair. And an upcoming Wilderness model leans further into off-road readiness with additional cladding and all-terrain tires. Otherwise, you’d have to be a Crosstrek expert to recognize the new generation from the old. 

Photo by Brady Holt

Big New Touchscreen

Inside, you’ll find the new Crosstrek’s biggest visual difference from its predecessor: a big new touchscreen. Last year, the most popular Crosstrek models came with 6.5-inch touchscreens, and an 8-inch unit was as big as things got. 

Now, as on most of its lineup, Subaru has wedged a big, portrait-orientation 11.6-inch screen into all but the base Crosstrek (which gets two 7-inch units atop each other). The dashboard’s shape hasn’t changed much, but there’s a new digital domination. We’d prefer a bit less screen and a few more physical buttons, but it’s not too hard to figure things out. And unlike some Subarus, the Crosstrek does at least provide old-school switches for the seat heaters. The interior remains solidly built with materials that come across as sturdy without being too downscale, in line with the Crosstrek’s overall vibe. 

Photo by Brady Holt

Small But Spacious for Passengers

Many subcompact crossovers feel subcompact on the inside. Not the Crosstrek. It has comfortable, well-shaped front seats and even an adult-friendly backseat (though a center-rear passenger would feel pinched). The seats in most Crosstreks, including our Crosstrek Premium test vehicle, are trimmed in sturdy cloth upholstery. The Wilderness model has leatherette, and the top Limited has genuine leather. 

One point we’d make is that the Crosstrek doesn’t have an SUV-style seating position. Remember, this is an economy car whose body sits higher off the ground. You don’t sit high relative to the dashboard for any sense of a towering view out. If that feels more comfortable to you, great news; if it feels too much like an ordinary car, you might be happier in a more SUV-shaped competitor. 

Photo by Brady Holt

Acceptable Cargo Room

We mentioned that the Crosstrek is unusually roomy for a subcompact crossover. It’s not all magic. In part, Subaru prioritized passenger space over luggage capacity. The Crosstrek’s hatchback-style rear end also hunches forward, without the more vertical shape of boxier SUVs. 

The result is a modest 19.9 cubic feet of space for your stuff behind the rear seat. That’s about a cubic foot less than last year’s Crosstrek but still competitive for a subcompact crossover. Plan carefully if you take the whole family shopping. As long as you can fold down the backseat, though, you can get 55.3 cubic feet of space. Expect to remove the rear head restraints or move the front seats forward when folding the backseat down. Most Crosstreks can tow 1,500 pounds, already above average for a subcompact crossover, and the Wilderness (with revised transmission programming and a transmission cooler) can tow an outstanding 3,500 pounds. 

Photo by Brady Holt

All-Wheel Drive Comes Standard

Like nearly all Subarus in recent years, the 2024 Crosstrek comes standard with the company’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. In this case, it’s paired with a high 8.7-inch ground clearance and a hardy suspension. Even if you won’t be taking it off-roading, the Crosstrek feels right at home on potholes and other rough pavement. This is no delicate little crossover that needs to tiptoe around gravel. It’s the smoothest-riding subcompact SUV. 

There’s a flip side to this focus on riding high and keeping the suspension pliant. The Crosstrek doesn’t have the zippy, eager on-road handling of some rivals. It’s easy to drive, and this is still a small car. We don’t mean that this is a clumsy SUV, just that you won’t send it whipping around fast turns. The Crosstrek’s steering is tuned for lightness, not maximum feedback and precision. And the suspension is tuned to absorb blows and keep rolling, not to hunker down for rapid changes of direction. If you liked how last year’s Crosstrek drove, you’ll still like the new one. And the Wilderness model will dial up its off-road chops further. 

Photo by Brady Holt

Choice of Two Engines

The new Crosstrek’s two available engines are also familiar. Our test vehicle had the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which makes 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. It’s now exclusively paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission, or CVT; Subaru no longer offers a manual transmission in its crossovers. Subaru tweaked the powertrain’s tuning this year; the throttle has become less jumpy off the line, and the CVT simulates shifts more naturally. This isn’t a high-powered crossover, but we found it agreeable to drive and only oppressively noisy at idle with the windows down. 

Subaru also continues to fit uplevel Crosstreks with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which makes 182 hp and 178 lb-ft. It remains the choice for folks who just can’t stomach the base engine, not for those seeking wild speed. EPA fuel economy estimates are down about 1 mpg in the redesign: 27 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined with the base engine, and 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined with the 2.5-liter. We averaged an impressive 33 mpg in mixed driving. 

Photo by Brady Holt

Priced From Around $25,000

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek starts at $24,995 for a base model. That’s pretty good these days for an SUV with all-wheel drive, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping steering assistance, alloy wheels, and automatic climate control. 

Most buyers will likely upgrade to the Premium model like our test vehicle. For $26,145, it adds dressier exterior styling details like foglamps and brighter wheels; a six-speaker stereo instead of just four; push-button starting; upgraded fabric upholstery; and the bigger touchscreen. Our test vehicle included a package that combined a power driver's seat, heated front seats, a moonroof, and blind-spot monitoring for a steep $2,245. For $28,995, you can get the Sport model with the bigger engine, some flashier interior and exterior design details, and heated seats. The Limited, $30,895, adds the Premium’s options (minus the moonroof, which still costs extra) along with leather upholstery and rear automatic braking. And the Wilderness starts at $31,995. Overall, the Crosstrek’s options can elevate its price, but bargains are out there. 

Photo by Brady Holt

Competitors to Consider

If you’re looking for a comfortable, affordable little crossover with good gas mileage and useful cargo space, your options abound. Two of our favorites are the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos, both of which are well-rounded subcompacts. Between the two, the HR-V has the more polished ride, handling, and interior decor, while the Seltos has more available horsepower and flashier in-cabin technology. 

But neither of them can match the Crosstrek’s ruggedness. Nor can most other competitors. It’s sometimes shopped against the aging, less economical Jeep Renegade and the slightly bigger, substantially more expensive Jeep Compass. It’s also worth considering Subaru’s own Forester if you don’t mind paying a few thousand dollars extra for significantly more cargo space, more headroom, and better outward visibility. And if you don’t need the Crosstrek’s high ground clearance, the Subaru Impreza hatchback offers a nearly identical experience except for sharper handling, slightly better gas mileage, and a lower price. 

Photo by Brady Holt

Comfortable Yet Rugged

Most comfort-focused crossovers are just taller cars. Off-road capability usually comes paired with a bumpy ride on the pavement. The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek fills earlier Crosstreks' familiar niche of being comfortable yet rugged. 

The Crosstrek continues to have modest cargo space behind its rear seat, lazy handling for a small car, and some painfully expensive options. But it continues to have a smoother ride, more comfortable seats, and a higher ground clearance than most small, affordable SUVs. This year’s redesigned model also drives a little better, sports a bigger touchscreen, and offers the new Wilderness model for extra capability in the dirt or when pulling a trailer. It’s a subtle but worthwhile upgrade to an incredibly popular subcompact crossover. 

Photo by Brady Holt