10 Best Features of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek 2.5-Liter

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is all-new this year with a wide range of improvements. Changes for this subcompact crossover include a new exterior design and a more robust infotainment system.

There’s also a choice of two engines including a robust 2.5-liter for a more responsive and engaging drive experience. Here are the 10 best features of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek 2.5-liter.

There are two available engines for the Crosstrek. Base trims get a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. It’s a responsive engine, but it’s not especially engaging for those who prefer more aggressive acceleration. The top Sport, Limited, and Wilderness trims offer a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. That increase in both horsepower and torque makes the 2.5-liter the better engine of the two.

Both engines are paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission, but the 2.5-liter version has a driver-selectable 8-speed manual shift mode along with steering wheel paddle shifters. This is available on only the Premium trim with the base engine, but it’s a standard feature with the 2.5-liter.

Wilderness trims are the most off-road ready versions of each Subaru model and for 2024, the Crosstrek adds this trim level to its lineup. It gets a raised suspension system for a total of 9.3 inches of ground clearance, which improves its approach and departure angles. There are standard all-terrain tires for handling uneven ground as well as a modified drivertrain better suited to off-roading. In addition, the Wilderness trim is available exclusively with the 2.5-liter engine.

Along with that enhanced capability, there are unique appearance elements that differentiate this trim from the rest of the Crosstrek lineup. It has Wilderness badges on the front doors and tailgate, a body-color roof spoiler with black side mirrors, and an available Geyser Blue exterior paint that isn’t offered on any other trim.

The Subaru Crosstrek includes all-wheel drive as a standard feature across the lineup. Even if you get the base trims with the less powerful engine, you get the added stability of all-wheel drive. This is a great feature to have if you frequently drive off-road, but it’s also important when conditions on paved roads are less than ideal.

If you live where it snows, then all-wheel drive reduces the chances of getting stuck when the snow is falling faster than the plows can clear the roads. Even if snow isn’t an issue for you, rainy roads can also reduce traction making all-wheel drive a benefit.

Subaru is known for building cars for the adventurous set. Those who like getting outside, hiking, biking, and kayaking often choose a Subaru for its ability to handle more rugged terrain. The Crosstrek lives up to that reputation with standard all-wheel drive and X-Mode with hill decent control. On trims equipped with the 2.5-liter engine, there’s a dual-function X-Mode for enhanced capability.

This adds two more drive modes to better adapt to current conditions. There’s snow/dirt and deep snow/mud mode. Whether you’re off road and things get rough or on road in winter weather, the Crosstrek can get you through challenging conditions.

If you’re heading out for adventure, then there’s a good chance you’re going to have a few things to bring along for the journey. The Crosstrek isn’t a large SUV, but it still boasts good cargo capacity, so you have everything you need. There’s 19.9 cubic feet of room behind the rear seats, which is a good amount of room for cargo when you have a full load of people, too.

For those times when you don’t have anyone in the rear seats, the split/fold 60/40 to increase cargo capacity to 54.7 cubic feet. Now there’s room for the big stuff. There’s also a low load floor so you don’t have to lift cargo as high to load it into the Crosstrek. Lastly, there’s a 41-inch tailgate opening that manages larger items more easily.

While the base trim of the Crosstrek has dual 7-inch infotainment screens, both the Sport and Limited with the 2.5-liter engine have an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen as a standard feature. The system also includes 6-speaker audio and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Having the larger screen makes it easier to use, especially when it comes to navigation.

This also gives the Crosstrek a more premium feel with the large vertical screen serving as a focal point. Menus are well-organized, graphics are clean and crisp, and the screen is within easy reach of both driver and passenger. Infotainment is becoming increasingly important for staying connected and getting the information you need when you’re on the go. A large touchscreen makes the process easier.

EyeSight is Subaru’s suite of driver assistance features, and it’s standard for the 2024 Crosstrek. This year, it’s improved so it offers better inputs for the driver with a smoother, quicker response. It also works under a greater array of driving conditions due to its wider field of view and has updated software as well as an electric brake booster.

These enhancements allow for identification of both bicyclists and pedestrians at intersections with quick alerts for the driver of the potential for a crash. It will also apply the brakes more quickly if the driver doesn’t respond to those alerts. Available features that further improve safety include reverse automatic braking, blind-spot detection with lane-centering, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Since the Crosstrek is the kind of vehicle that people take on outdoor adventures that might not be right down the road, Subaru gave it comfortable and supportive seats suited to even the longest of trips. The driver’s seat was given special attention so it’s supportive without being stiff.

It might not look like it, but there’s a lot of engineering behind the seats in the Crosstrek. What you don’t see is the attention paid to the seat’s internal structures, which minimize head movement. It’s a subtle change you might not consciously feel, but it’s one that helps keep you from feeling exhausted at the end of a lengthy drive.

In addition to being more comfortable thanks to its better seat design, the Crosstrek also has better climate control. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but being too hot or two cold has a huge impact on your overall comfort. To keep everyone at the right temperature, the Crosstrek now has standard dual-zone climate control across the full lineup.

It’s also smart, so it doesn’t just blow air everywhere all at once. Instead, it focuses only on the occupied seats in the cabin. This is a more efficient way to maintain the right temperature for all passengers, and it helps keep one row of folks from freezing because the other row is already too darn hot.

If ever there was a car ready for muddy paw prints, it’s a Subaru. The company is actively involved in helping animals, supporting a variety of organizations and even helping sponsor the adoption of dogs at auto shows and events across the country. That love of dogs includes a line of accessories that let you take Fido along for the ride while protecting your car.

It includes covers for the cargo area, rear seats, and front seats so no matter where he wanders, the car is protected. And if your dog likes to paw at the doors in his excitement, don’t worry. They even have protectors that slip right over the door panels so you don’t have to worry about scratches.