Among its many industry firsts, Subaru helped introduce what is now known as the "crossover vehicle" when it unveiled the Outback way back in 1994. Now, crossover SUVs are the most commonplace new vehicles in the United States. The subjects of this comparison—the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek and the 2024 Subaru Outback—are prime examples of the breed. They combine sport-utility attributes with construction on a platform they share with conventional cars. By doing this, they can offer the best characteristics of both vehicle types.
The Crosstrek and Outback are 5-passenger vehicles that offer buyers very sedan-like driving dynamics with SUV-like versatility and off-road vibes. Neither is a full-on rock crawler or river-forder, but each has more off-road chops than many crossovers. Like their owners, Crosstreks and Outbacks aren't afraid to get dirty.
Subaru equips all its models except the BRZ sports coupe with all-wheel drive (AWD). Of course, that is perfectly appropriate for the Crosstrek and Outback personas. Their AWD systems are less about extra-duty off-roading and more about safety and security on the road in all weather conditions. There is a reason many nurses and first responders gravitate to Subaru vehicles like the Crosstrek and Outback.
Safety is another critical Subaru talking point. In addition to their long lists of passive safety features, the Crosstrek and Outback each feature Subaru EyeSight driver-assist technology. This collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) is the subject of continuous improvement, demonstrated by the upgrades for the 2024 model year.
A significant difference between the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek and the 2024 Subaru Outback is size. And the difference is substantial. Subaru bases the Crosstrek on a subcompact (Subaru Impreza) platform. It bases the Outback on a midsize sedan (Subaru Legacy) platform. To put that in perspective, the Outback is 15 inches longer than the Crosstrek. In vehicle terms, that's a lot.
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek competes with an extensive list of subcompact crossovers—Chevrolet Trailblazer, Ford Bronco Sport, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, and Toyota Corolla Cross prominent among them. The competitive list is very long or exceptionally tidy, depending on how one classifies the Outback. If it lands among midsize SUVs, the competitor roster is as long as your right leg. If you consider it a station wagon with off-road proclivities, its only competitors are vehicles like the Audi A4 Allroad, Audi A6 Allroad, and the Fiat 500X. The two Audis are significantly more upscale and costly than the Outback, by the way.
Among the most popular Subaru models, the Crosstrek and Subaru Outback have leveraged their unique approaches in what is often a me-too market to stake out their own niches. Both also bask in the warm, fuzzy glow of the dog-friendly Subaru brand. Here is a detailed comparison of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek versus the 2024 Subaru Outback.
Subaru offers the 2024 Crosstrek in four trim levels: Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited. The base and Premium trims are currently available. The Sport and Limited trims—with a larger, more powerful engine—will be available in the summer of 2023. A rugged Wilderness trim will also arrive later.
The Base trim is the least expensive 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $26,290, including the $1,295 destination charge. That happens to be the same price as the 2023 Base trim equipped with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). (However, the destination charge is up $70 for the 2024 model.) It features standard EyeSight, Subaru Symmetrical AWD, X-Mode driving modes with hill-descent control, and 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires.
The Premium trim ($27,440) uses the same horizontally opposed 2.0-liter "boxer" engine and adds LED fog lights, raised ladder-type roof rails, push-button start, a Starlink 11.6-inch multimedia system, and additional USB ports.
The Sport is the entryway to the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. It has a base price of $30,290 and offers yellow exterior accents, dark gray 18-inch alloy wheels, and yellow interior trim.
The Limited ($32,190) is the plushest of all 2024 Crosstreks. It possesses upgraded ADAS, including blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. Subaru gives it dark gray 18-inch alloy wheels, and the cabin features black or gray perforated leather with orange stitching.
Subaru makes the 2024 Outback in six trim levels: Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Wilderness, Limited, and Touring. Further, there are XT variations on the Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims, bringing the total number of available 2024 Subaru Outback configurations to nine.
The Outback Wilderness is the dedicated off-roader in the mix, and for 2024 it gets a new, more rugged look. The Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims emphasize luxury and convenience. The Outback Touring XT represents all-in luxury plus a more powerful turbocharged engine. In contrast to many competitive midsize crossovers that offer front-wheel-drive models, the Outback is only available with AWD.
With a starting price of $30,190, including the $1,295 destination charge, the base Outback is the lowest-priced trim for 2024. The Premium trim adds dual-zone automatic climate control, an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system, and other features for $32,490. The Onyx Edition ($37,400) gets a hands-free power liftgate, Harman Kardon speakers and an amplifier to supplement the 11.6-inch infotainment system, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic emergency steering.
With a starting price of $41,255, the Wilderness gets bolder styling for 2024, plus all-terrain tires, the more powerful turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, and a revised suspension offering more ground clearance. It includes a standard full-size spare tire. The Touring ($41,640) adds another camera to the EyeSight safety system, plus premium leather seats.
The XT versions of the Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims get the 2.4-liter turbo engine instead of the normally aspirated 2.5-liter engine. The most expensive 2024 Outback—the Touring XT—has a suggested starting price of $44,090.
Advantage: Subaru Outback
The Subaru Crosstrek does not rank among the top three models in the Small SUV segment in the JD Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership. The Crosstrek also does not rank among the top three models in its segment in the JD Power 2022 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), which tracks problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days.
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
The Subaru Outback does not rank among the top three models in the Midsize SUV segment in either the 2022 VDS or the 2022 IQS.
The 2024 Subaru Outback has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
Advantage: Neither
Warranty coverage is the same for the Crosstrek and Outback.
Subaru equips its 2024 Crosstrek Base and Premium trims with a direct-injection, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine. Rated at 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, it powers all four wheels through a CVT. Subaru dropped the Crosstrek's 6-speed manual transmission with the 2024 model-year redesign.
The Sport and Limited trims of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek get a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine that delivers 182 hp and 176 pound-feet of torque. They use a CVT with a selectable 8-speed manual shift mode and steering wheel paddle shifters. Standard torque vectoring and the SI-Drive performance management system help the Crosstrek maintain control and stability in various conditions.
As you might surmise, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder in the Sport and Limited trims is the more satisfying of the two Crosstrek engines. Acceleration in the Base and Premium trims is only adequate. It is likely, however, that their buyers don't care much about that.
If you were hoping the so-so acceleration spelled great fuel economy, well, not so much. The 2024 Crosstrek with the base 2.0-liter engine and CVT gets a 29-mpg combined city/highway gas mileage rating from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That's about the same as key competitors. As of this writing, the EPA hasn't rated the fuel economy for the more powerful 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. For comparison, the 2023 model turned in a 29-mpg combined rating.
The 2024 Subaru Outback offers buyers the choice of two AWD powertrains. The base model matches a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine delivering 182 hp and 176 pound-feet of torque with a CVT. If it sounds familiar, it is the same engine offered in the Crosstrek Sport and Limited trims for 2024.
The up-level engine standard in the Outback Wilderness and available in the Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims as part of the XT package is a turbocharged 2.4-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder. It delivers 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque. Subaru teams it with a CVT.
Most drivers will be satisfied with the acceleration offered by the Outback equipped with the base engine. However, the 78 additional horsepower of the turbo engine makes a marked improvement in overall drivability. Belying its station wagon roots, the Outback Wilderness has reasonably good off-pavement abilities thanks to its greater ground clearance, higher horsepower, and all-terrain tires.
The CVT is not the first choice of enthusiast drivers, but it contributes to the Outback's fuel economy. With the base engine, it gets an EPA-rated 28 mpg combined. The Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT, and Touring XT with the turbo engine get a 25-mpg combined figure. Meanwhile, the Wilderness receives a 23-mpg combined EPA rating.
Advantage: Subaru Outback
For decades, Subaru has developed a reputation for safety, and the third-generation Crosstrek enhances that reputation. The Subaru Crosstrek comes standard with Subaru EyeSight driver-assistance technology polished for the 2024 model year. The enhanced features include a significantly wider field of view, an additional monocular camera, and an electric brake booster to improve performance.
While blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and rear cross-traffic warning are not part of the standard system on the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, they are optional on all but the Base trim. Crosstreks equipped with EyeSight and blind-spot warning include automatic emergency steering. That system leverages those technologies to assist with steering to help avoid a collision at speeds under 50 mph.
The pre-collision braking and throttle-management system, now included in EyeSight, detects the sudden slowing of a vehicle ahead and immediately reduces the Crosstrek's power and speed to avoid or mitigate a crash. The EyeSight system also includes adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and lane-departure warning that is useful in many situations, including heavy traffic.
As of this writing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not published an overall rating for the 2024 Crosstrek. Likewise, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn't rated the new model's crashworthiness.
The 2024 Subaru Outback has an EyeSight driver-assist system very similar to the offering in the 2024 Crosstrek. It includes many commonly offered ADAS and electronic safety equipment systems. For the 2024 model year, it has the same improved overall performance noted for the Crosstrek's system earlier. As with the Crosstrek, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and rear cross-traffic warning are not part of the standard system. However, they are optional on the Premium trim and standard on the Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims. Outbacks with those systems also come with automatic emergency steering.
As of this writing, the NHTSA has not published an overall crashworthiness rating for the 2024 Outback. However, the structurally identical 2023 model received the highest-possible 5-star overall rating. The IIHS has yet to publish its evaluation of the 2024 Outback, but it gave the 2023 model its highest rating—Top Safety Pick+—for the 2023 calendar year.
Advantage: Subaru Outback
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek offers various versions of the automaker's Starlink multimedia system. All feature high-resolution touchscreens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity for streaming and voice-activated phone calls. The unusual 7-inch dual-screen Starlink Multimedia system in the Base trim offers AM/FM stereo, HD Radio, Bluetooth hands-free streaming, multi-touch gesture control, and wired-connection Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SiriusXM All-Access Radio and SiriusXM Travel Link come with a 4-month free trial.
Subaru equips the Premium trim with an 11.6-inch Starlink Multimedia Plus system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited trim gets the same system and offers 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio. The optionally available top system adds voice-activated TomTom navigation and a 3-year trial of SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.
You're probably not surprised to learn that the 2024 Subaru Outback offers infotainment systems very similar to those in the 2024 Crosstrek. The Outback's base trim includes a Starlink dual 7-inch system. The upper 7-inch touchscreen operates audio controls while the lower 7-inch unit operates climate, EyeSight, X-Mode driving modes, and other vehicle operations. The system includes AM/FM/HD Radio, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, a rear vision camera, SiriusXM radio, and SiriusXM Travel Link. The system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but requires a wired connection.
The Outback Premium features a Starlink 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Onyx Edition pairs that 11.6-inch system with a Harman Kardon speaker system and a 576-watt amplifier. Subaru offers the same system on other trims as well as an optional upgrade. The most sophisticated infotainment system in the 2024 Outback is the optional 11.6-inch Multimedia Navigation system that adds TomTom-enabled navigation and direction-finding to the array of features.
While not at the top of the heap in features and functionality, Subaru infotainment systems have come a long way in a short time. They are easy to understand and operate. Audio quality is good, and they don't require a long learning curve.
Advantage: Subaru Outback
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek includes more car-like qualities than many subcompact crossovers, and that's a big part of its appeal. On the road, it has the agility of a hatchback. It's a snap to park, and it's easier to get into and out of than many SUVs.
Subaru fills even the base model with comfort and convenience features. Dual-zone automatic climate control, power windows with auto up and down, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, power door locks, and power side mirrors are among the standard niceties. The dash offers an instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch multi-function color LCD. The center-dash infotainment screen sits over the push-button controls of the automatic climate system.
The Base, Premium, and Sport trims have cloth seats—an under-appreciated upholstery material. Subaru endows the Limited trim with leather seats highlighted with orange stitching.
The 2024 Crosstrek provides 100.5 cubic feet of interior volume, making it one of the most accommodating subcompact SUVs. It provides 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat. With the rear seatback folded down, 54.7 cubic feet of cargo space opens up.
Regarding comfort and utility, the 2024 Subaru Outback has a significant advantage over the 2024 Crosstrek: size. The larger Outback is 15 inches longer and two size classes up from the Crosstrek, delivering more interior space and better all-around comfort. With a station wagon-style stance, the Outback is easier to get in and out of than many midsize crossover SUVs. Front- and rear-seat legroom, shoulder room, hip room, and headroom are ample. A power tilt-and-slide moonroof is either standard or optionally available on all but the base model.
From the inside, the 5-passenger Outback feels more like a sedan than a typical SUV. Subaru fits the base Outback with manually adjusted cloth-covered seats. Genuine leather seats with multi-way power adjustment are standard in higher trim levels. Subaru specifies StarTex water-repellent upholstery for the Wilderness trim.
The 2024 Outback provides its owners with a roomy 32.6 cubic feet of cargo area behind the second row of seats. With the rear seatback folded, cargo space expands to 75.6 cubic feet.
Advantage: Subaru Outback
If you'd like to learn more about these Subaru SUVs, be sure to read our expert reviews of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek and the 2023 Subaru Outback. To find out how people like you rate models in this segment, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Also, please keep in mind that while the information in this article was accurate and valid on May 18, 2023, it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.
Jack R. Nerad has reviewed cars, trucks, vans, and sport utilities for over three decades. He also managed the editorial efforts of Motor Trend magazine, JD Power, and Kelley Blue Book. Jack is currently the host of the SportsMap Radio Network program America on the Road, available on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Stitcher, and other outlets.
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