The Crosstrek is the smallest crossover in the Subaru lineup. It is also one of the most popular models the Japanese automaker sells. Introduced over a decade ago, the 5-passenger Crosstrek comes into the 2024 model year completely redesigned with updated styling, new features, and an improved all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.
For this review, I drove a Crosstrek Limited, which resides at the top of the model lineup (until the Wilderness variant comes out later this year). The most luxurious version of the new Crosstrek, the Limited stands out from the rest of the lineup with:
Subaru offers the 2024 Crosstrek in five trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Wilderness (arriving later this year). A 152-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine powers the Base and Premium, while the Sport, Limited, and Wilderness get a more powerful 2.5-liter engine. With standard AWD and a healthy 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Crosstrek is very capable on and off the pavement.
Previously, JD Power reviewed the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium with a 2.0-liter engine. This review focuses on the Crosstrek Limited's engine and feature upgrades for 2024 and how they potentially impact its overall appeal to consumers.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Subaru Crosstrek competes in the Small SUV market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2022 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, 42 percent of new Subaru Crosstrek buyers are male (vs. 42 percent for the segment), and the median age of a new Crosstrek buyer is 55 years (vs. 54).
As part of the APEAL Study, owners rated the Crosstrek in 10 primary categories. Listed below in descending order, you'll find their preferences, from their most favorite thing about the vehicle to their least favorite:
In the 2022 APEAL Study, the Crosstrek ranks 11th out of 19 Small SUV models.
In the following sections, our independent expert analyzes a Crosstrek Limited equipped with the following options:
The test vehicle's price was $34,635, including the $1,295 destination charge.
Photo: Perry Stern
For 2024, Subaru provided the Crosstrek with a significant interior upgrade, headlined by the largest display screen ever put into this compact crossover. The 11.6-inch vertical display features large icons for easy navigation with a dedicated section for vehicle status information at the top. Climate functions are static at the bottom of the display, but there are physical buttons and knobs for temperature adjustment, volume, and tuning.
The Limited adds to the premium vibe with standard perforated leather-trimmed seats with orange accents and stitching. The doors, steering wheel, and gear selector all get orange stitching for a nice splash of color throughout the cabin. Interior door handles and window switches have chrome trim for an elevated appearance.
Redesigned front seats for the new model year feature improved support and comfort that reduce fatigue over long drives. After spending the day driving the Crosstrek Limited, I'd say Subaru was successful in this endeavor. The seats are quite comfortable and would work well for a long road trip.
Rear seats carry the same attractive design with gray leather accented by orange highlights and stitching. Legroom and headroom are surprisingly abundant for rear-seat passengers, especially considering the diminutive size of the vehicle. Doors open wide for easy entry and exit, and rear passengers benefit from dual USB ports.
While it may have a more luxury-minded interior, the Crosstrek Limited still brings plenty of utility to the small crossover market. The cargo area offers a good amount of space for hauling gear or luggage, and with the rear seats folded, the room more than doubles.
On the tech front, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connect wirelessly for convenient integration. For added entertainment, the Crosstrek gets excellent audio from the optional 10-speaker, 432-watt Harmon Kardon audio system, available only on the Limited.
The higher trim levels (Sport and Limited) of the 2024 Crosstrek come standard with Subaru's 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine putting out 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Sending power to all four wheels is a continuously variable automatic transmission with a manual mode that allows for simulated shifts via paddles on the steering column. Unfortunately, Subaru no longer offers the Crosstrek with a manual gearbox.
While 182 horsepower is a nice 30-hp bump over the Crosstrek's 2.0-liter engine, it still lags behind more powerful competitors like the Ford Escape, Kia Seltos, or Mazda CX-30. After driving the Crosstrek with both engine options, the additional 30 horses are noticeable. Still, in some situations, it doesn't feel like enough of an increase to make it worthwhile.
Acceleration from a standstill with the 2.5-liter engine is adequate for most driving situations, but I wouldn't call it quick. You still need plenty of room before attempting a high-speed pass on a two-lane road, as the speed takes some time to build.
The added power of the 2.5-liter engine is most noticeable when setting the car to SI (sport) mode. In SI mode, the engine rpms stay high to maximize torque, dramatically improving throttle response. Pushing the Crosstrek through the winding roads outside Woodstock, New York, I appreciated having the more powerful engine. The Crosstrek's chassis and suspension work well together, providing excellent handling, further enhanced by the AWD system with active torque vectoring.
Surprisingly, the fuel economy for the 2.5-liter engine isn't much different than the lesser-powered 2.0-liter motor. The Environmental Protection Agency has yet to release official fuel-economy figures for the 2024 Crosstrek. However, Subaru estimates both engines will deliver 29 mpg combined. During my drive of the Crosstrek Limited, the trip computer indicated almost 33 mpg—an impressive figure for an AWD crossover.
The Sport and Limited trims are the first Crosstreks assembled in America. These variants with the 2.5-liter engine come from Subaru's production facility in Lafayette, Indiana, as do the Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, and Outback. So, if you want to buy a new car made in America, the Crosstrek Sport or Limited fit the bill. The upcoming Crosstrek Wilderness will also hail from the Indiana assembly plant.
Photo: Perry Stern
Subaru is well known for its Symmetrical AWD system that comes standard in almost every one of its vehicles (the sporty, rear-wheel-drive BRZ is the only exception). For 2024, the Crosstrek gets a revised version of this AWD system that delivers a faster response time and improves handling on and off the pavement. The Crosstrek Sport and Limited also get the more advanced Dual-Function X-Mode.
The driver-selectable X-Mode sets the Crosstrek up for better off-road performance. Once selected, X-Mode keeps the car in a lower gear with a smoother torque delivery and better power distribution among the four wheels. The Dual-Mode function on the Limited lets the driver choose Snow/Dirt or Deep Snow/Mud, which fine-tunes the system to handle these specific conditions.
During my drive in New York, Subaru set up an off-road course at Plattekill Mountain ski area with some steep inclines, declines, and rather deep, soggy mud. When traversing through muddy terrain, some wheelspin is helpful to keep momentum. Deep Snow/Mud mode allows for that wheelspin.
The Crosstrek clawed its way through the sticky terrain and, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, never had any issues when the mud got deep. It may not have the off-road abilities of a Jeep Wrangler, but the Crosstrek is perfectly capable of adventures off the beaten path.
With X-Mode selected, the Crosstrek also has automatic hill-descent control (HDC). Like off-road cruise control, HDC maintains a slow speed when descending steep and slippery terrain by applying the brakes to individual wheels to keep the vehicle stable. It is a little unnerving to let the car handle the braking when heading down a steep hill slick with mud, but the Crosstrek kept a steady, slow pace in complete control the entire way down.
While there are Crosstrek owners that will encounter muddy or other extreme off-road conditions, a more common scenario for a Crosstrek is a drive down a forest road or dirt track. There were plenty of these types of roads around the ski resort, and the small crossover performed brilliantly in these situations. Even at higher speeds, the Crosstrek felt stable, delivering a confident ride on these loose surfaces.
The Crosstrek received a complete exterior refresh for the 2024 model year. However, the changes are more evolutionary than revolutionary.
Most noticeable is a new frameless hexagonal grille flanked by slim LED headlights that sweep back into the bodywork. Large fog lights and new, bolder cladding over the wheel arches add to the rugged look.
The differences between the Limited and the rest of the lineup are subtle. Only the Sport stands out with its yellow-finish exterior accents. However, you can identify the Limited by its dark chrome accents above the fog lights and dark chrome bar that spans the grille, flowing from the Subaru logo to line up with the stylish LED running lights.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Crosstrek is an excellent all-around compact crossover that works just as well as a daily driver as it does when the pavement ends. With its proven AWD system, advanced EyeSight driver-assist systems, and a chassis that provides enjoyable driving characteristics, the Crosstrek has a lot to offer. While the entire lineup benefits from the 2024 updates, the Crosstrek Limited brings a higher level of luxury and comfort, as well as the versatile dual-function X-Mode and more powerful 2.5-liter engine.
While the 2.5-liter engine delivers 30 additional horses, there wasn't a significant advantage in most driving situations compared with the smaller motor. Both are adequate for most scenarios, and when I drove the Crosstrek with the 152-hp engine, it felt reasonably capable.
The upgrade to the more powerful engine ties to the trim level, so consumers should buy a Crosstrek based on the feature set rather than the engine. No matter their choice, Crosstrek owners will enjoy the benefits of driving a fun, small crossover ready for adventure.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Living in the Pacific Northwest, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
The Ford Transit is the automaker’s full-size cargo and passenger van offering, designed to serve a wide range of commercial and lifestyle applications. With 37 available configurations, the platform ...See More
Read the Full Article
The Chevrolet Tahoe is a full-size, three-row SUV with a standard V8 engine and available diesel power. Built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup, the Tahoe benefits from its ...See More
Read the Full Article
It is the end of the line for the Ford Escape. After 25 years as a fixture of Ford’s lineup, 2026 will be the compact SUV’s last model year.
Read the Full Article
The Colorado is Chevrolet’s midsize pickup. It ranks among the segment’s most capable trucks for payload and towing, and can be configured for both work and off-road adventures. For 2026, the ...See More
Read the Full Article