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Subaru Crosstrek is one of the most popular models of the brand and the most sold in certain parts of the world. How to take advantage of this momentum? Subaru added a new trim called the Wilderness, which is an off-roader Crosstrek and I think Subaru should have produced it a long time ago because the Forester and Outback already have off-road versions.
As I get started with this review of the 2024 Crosstrek, let me state that the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek stays true to its roots as an affordable and practical hatchback that thrives on venturing beyond the pavement. The Wilderness trim of the Crosstrek is not a hardcore off-roader, but an evolution of its predecessor with subtle design tweaks and a focus on comfort and functionality. The interior remains spacious, and engine options carry over from 2023 with a choice between a 2.0-liter or a 2.5-liter engine, both paired with the standard Subaru all-wheel drive system. While the beloved manual transmission is sadly gone, replaced by a CVT, the Crosstrek offers significant improvements for 2024. Subaru redesigned the seats for better comfort and added extra soundproofing to quiet the cabin. These upgrades, along with its inherent capability, have landed the 2024 Crosstrek a well-deserved spot on our Editors' Choice list.
What's New in 2024
The 2024 Crosstrek might fool you at first glance. While it retains a similar silhouette to the 2023 model, this year marks a significant change. Subaru has completely redesigned the Crosstrek for 2024, ushering in the third generation of this popular compact SUV.
The most exciting addition for exploration seekers is the all-new Wilderness trim. This off-road-ready Crosstrek offers a significant upgrade in ground clearance, reaching 9.3 inches. That means you can tackle tougher terrain without scraping the undercarriage. To complement the increased height, the Wilderness gets a more rugged makeover on the exterior, along with all-terrain tires that provide better grip on loose surfaces.
Trims and Pricing
In 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is offered in five trims: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited and Wilderness.
The 2024 Crosstrek caters to a range of budgets and preferences with its tiered trim levels. The exploration-ready Wilderness trim sits at the top of the food chain, priced at $33,290. This variant boasts the most off-road capability with its lifted suspension and all-terrain tires.
For those who prioritize everyday comfort and a touch of style, trims like the Sport ($30,290) and Limited ($32,190) offer features like upgraded upholstery and infotainment systems. The base Crosstrek starts at a budget-friendly $26,540, making it an attractive option for those seeking a capable and fuel-efficient SUV without all the bells and whistles.
2024 Crosstrek's Engine Options, Transmission and Performance
The 2024 Crosstrek offers two engine choices. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 152 horsepower, which should be sufficient for everyday driving. If you want more power, step up to the Sport, Wilderness, or Limited trims, which come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 182 horsepower.
While the Crosstrek won't win any awards for speed, it prioritizes comfort and capability over sporty handling. Unlike previous Crosstreks, all 2024 models come with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) – the manual transmission is no more. The standard all-wheel-drive system ensures confident handling in all weather conditions.
Off-road enthusiasts will be excited about the Crosstrek's capability. With at least 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard hill descent control, and hill start assist, it can handle more than your typical city crossover. The Wilderness trim that I have been testing takes things a step further with an even higher 9.3 inches of ground clearance and aggressive all-terrain tires, making it a true adventure-ready machine.
Regarding the 2024 Crosstrek's fuel economy, the EPA States 27 mpg combined and 25/29 city/highway respectively. However, as you can see from my test results my real-world city/highway combined result is 23.2 MPG after 171 miles of testing the vehicle in Charlotte, NC.
Exterior Design
The 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness takes the familiar design of the Crosstrek and injects it with a dose of off-road aggression. Borrowing heavily from its bigger Wilderness siblings, the Forester and Outback, the Crosstrek Wilderness boasts a suite of upgrades that scream adventure.
A black anti-glare hood minimizes sun glare while you're navigating trails. In fact, the anti-glare hood is one of the 9 features that gets the Crosstrek Wilderness far away from the competition. Up front, a distinct grille and bumper with six LED fog lights set the tone for capability. The plastic side cladding gets a significant upgrade, with extensive black inserts covering nearly 40% of the doors for extra protection against trail hazards. Wilderness badges visibly proclaim its identity throughout, while bright yellow tow hooks in the front and rear add a pop of color and functionality.
The rear bumper gets a makeover too, with truncated corners for better clearance on rough terrain. It also shouts "SUBARU" in bold letters, leaving no doubt about the brand behind the vehicle.
Completing the off-road look are exclusive 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, ready to tackle any adventure you throw their way. The overall aesthetic is undeniably rugged, with the extensive use of black plastic cladding leaving no question about the Crosstrek Wilderness's ability to handle the great outdoors. Copper accents, a signature touch of the Wilderness line, add a finishing touch of style.
Interior Comfort
While the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness prioritizes function over fancy, it doesn't skimp on comfort or space. The interior maintains the Crosstrek's reputation for practicality, offering similar dimensions to the previous model. However, Subaru has made significant upgrades to enhance passenger comfort. The redesigned seats provide better support, especially on long journeys. They've also added more sound-deadening materials throughout the cabin, resulting in a quieter ride with less road noise and vibration.
Don't expect a luxurious, designer interior here. The Crosstrek Wilderness embraces a straightforward, utilitarian style. While leather upholstery is an option on higher trims, most models come with cloth seats. Their fabric, which has the property of being easily washable, gives a quality impression. The driving position proved ideal for driving off the beaten track, with excellent visibility. In addition, the relatively square shape combined with the compact size of the vehicle makes it easy to determine its size, an advantage in all driving situations.
The Crosstrek offers decent space for passengers and cargo. The front doors have deep pockets that can easily hold water bottles and other essentials. In the back, the second-row seats provide adequate legroom for most adults, although it might feel a bit snug for taller passengers on long trips.
When it comes to cargo capacity, the Crosstrek Wilderness offers 20 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. Need to haul more gear? Fold down the 60/40 split rear seats and open up a maximum of 55 cubic feet of cargo space, making it a great choice for weekend adventures or hauling outdoor gear.
Infotainment and Touchscreen
Regarding the infotainment of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek as you step inside you are greeted by the option of a massive 11.6-inch infotainment display, the same one found in other Subaru models like the Outback and WRX. This giant screen elevates the interior and provides a clear view of navigation, music, and other features.
However, keep in mind that this display isn't standard equipment. The base Crosstrek comes with a more modest 7.0-inch touchscreen. The good news is that no matter which screen size you end up with, both systems offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration.
The Drive
The 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness prioritizes capability over raw speed. The 182-horsepower engine won't win any drag races, but it provides decent acceleration, especially from a standstill, which is perfect for getting you going when you hit the dirt. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) smoothly adapts to your driving needs, even simulating gears when you need extra power for those steeper inclines.
The suspension leans towards a firm ride, which translates to better handling on rough terrain. This firmness might not be for everyone on smooth pavement, but it gives you a reassuring sense of control when you're navigating off-road adventures.
Overall, the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness - this urban SUV - offers a very comfortable ride on the pavement and a reassuring all-wheel drive for a relatively affordable price.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.
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