Subaru just introduced a largely updated Crosstrek crossover for the 2024 model year with better technology, a low starting price, and standard AWD.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek
The Crosstrek is one of Subaru’s best-selling models. It combines the everyday practicality of a four-door hatchback with a slight lift kit for better off-road performance. Subaru’s update to the Crosstrek is here for 2024 and at its core it’s much the same as the one it replaces – but with fewer options. This version of the model was actually released in other regions ahead of its U.S. debut, but even then we didn’t know what the final specs would look like when it arrived state-side. Today, we have all the details and think that there’s good reason to be excited and a bit disappointed in the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek at the same time.
Sticking To The Formula
The general idea of taking an Impreza hatchback (it and the Crosstrek share many body panels, a chassis, and drivetrains) and giving it a factory lift kit has been a shockingly popular one. Since it went on sale in 2013, it’s slowly garnered a large and faithful following thanks to its inexpensive price, standard AWD, and decent fuel economy numbers among a number of qualities.
For 2024, Subaru stuck with a similar recipe and kept much of the outgoing car instead of building it up from scratch. Just like last year, there are four trim levels, Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited. Pricing starts at just $26,960. The biggest visual changes are subtle. The nose is broader while the headlights are a bit sharper. The swooping body line on the side of the hatchback is long gone and the rear tail lights now follow along with the rest of the Subaru family.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Drivetrains
Under the hood of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek buyers can expect one of two engines. The bottom two trims get the same 152 hp 2.0L four-cylinder engine from last year and the upper two trims get the 182 hp 2.5L four-cylinder from last year. We’re sad to hear that because our biggest gripe with the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is the lack of available power. What’s worse is that Subaru has now discontinued the manual transmission option and the hybrid powertrain too. It didn’t sell many hybrid versions last year, but deleting the option takes it out of the running against models that do offer an electrified powertrain like the Hyundai Kona. Every new Crosstrek gets a CVT and AWD no matter how one might choose to spec it.
Improved Interior Features
Subaru did think to improve the interior experience, which we already liked quite a bit. To accomplish that it’s added higher-quality seating materials while reducing noise, harshness, and vibration in the cabin itself. Dual-zone automatic climate control is now standard across the lineup and those who opt for the upper trims can enjoy a new 11.6-inch infotainment system that incorporates all major controls into one panel. Lower trims get a pair of 7-inch screens stacked atop one another instead.
Safety technology is improved ever so slightly in that all Crosstreks now come with Subaru’s EyeSight safety aid suite. It’s the same as last year’s package, but Subaru wouldn’t install it on manually-equipped cars. Now that it’s not selling manually equipped cars, it’ll be on every unit.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek: A Mixed Bag of Emotions
When we talk about automotive model evolutions as opposed to revolutions, the Crosstrek is a great example. Subaru played it quite safe here and only made very subtle and slight updates to the platform. Surely, that’ll do more to ensure sales numbers continue to be strong than a more drastic overall could’ve promised. Still, we lament the lack of electrification, the weak powertrain options, and the death of the manual transmission. It makes a used model look a lot more appealing. Maybe our feelings will change once we get the chance to drive one later this year.
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