The Subaru Crosstrek is one of the top-rated compact SUVs in the entire market. Subaru smartly gave this SUV some minor upgrades for the 2024 model year.
The Crosstrek has been the smallest crossover in the lineup for several years. The latest version of this small vehicle delivers the goods with new panels, a stiffened chassis, and better seat padding. These are just a few of the small but important upgrades made to give this little crossover SUV the right feeling for your drive. Let’s see what else Subaru offers.
What powers the Crosstrek?
Only one small powertrain change was made to this SUV. The manual transmission has been dropped, which makes perfect sense. Very few shoppers are looking for a small SUV with a stick shift these days. The base and Premium trims use the same 2.0-liter flat-four as in previous model years. Those looking at the Sport and Limited models will enjoy the 2.5-liter engine that delivers 30 more horsepower for the drive. As always, Subaru delivers standard AWD and desirable fuel mileage in this SUV. While using the base powertrain, this SUV returns 26 city/33 hwy mpg.
This Subaru SUV brings better tech
For the first time, we see wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in the Subaru Crosstrek. This allows the small SUV to be one of the most advanced models in the market, giving it the connectivity we desire in our modern vehicles. The EyeSight driver-assist safety suite now has a wider field of view, which allows it to detect cyclists, pedestrians, and other vehicles much sooner. These tech upgrades put the Crosstrek high on the list when it’s time for a great vehicle to drive and enjoy wherever you want to go.
Enjoy a much better drive in this SUV
The Crosstrek’s CVT has been a sore spot for this SUV over the past few model years. The drone and howl of the transmission can be bothersome to those not used to it. Thankfully, the 2024 model brings faux shifts that are softer and better physically and aurally. The base engine still gives 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, which is enough power, but it’s not made to win any races.
The drive is made even better with the use of impressive insulation and sound-deadening technology that makes it easy to have a conversation while on the road or when driving down a gravel road in this Crosstrek.
How does Subaru achieve a softer ride?
As mentioned, the new Subaru Crosstrek features seats with thicker padding, giving you and your passengers better bolstering and support. The seats are only one part of making the ride quieter and softer. The new Subaru Global Platform does a masterful job of giving this SUV some great driving qualities. This new chassis uses more structural adhesive and additional weld points that make this vehicle safer and improves the overall ride quality.
Because the vehicle structure is stiffer, the suspension is softer to absorb bumps better than before. This softer suspension is a mixed bag for you. The ride on the pavement is excellent, giving you a smooth ride that is enjoyable. Unfortunately, when you hit a small rise or pothole, you’ll feel and hear a thud and scrap of the tires on the top of the wheel well.
You can go off-roading in the Crosstrek
As you might expect, the standard AWD and X-Mode system makes it possible to enjoy some off-road fun in the Subaru Crosstrek. This small but impressive SUV has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which is more than most other models in the subcompact crossover class. The AWD system delivers a 50/50 torque split to send power to the front and rear wheels equally. The X-Mode feature is easy to use through the touchscreen, including hill-descent control and hill-start hold, which can make sure you have the control desired on the trails.
The interior style isn’t stunning, but it works
You don’t typically look to Subaru for a stunning, upscale interior area, but you will find comfort and some cool features. The cupholders have mountain peaks at the bottom, and a river runs across the cargo floor in the rear. The rear hatch area opens wide to offer 20 cubic feet of cargo room that expands to 55 cubic feet when the rear seats are lowered.
The new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek brings several impressive upgrades without going over the top.
