Should you wait for the next-generation 2024 Subaru Crosstrek or buy the 2023 model? The all-new Crosstrek won't arrive until next year, but it will be worth the wait. Subaru Corporation redesigned the subcompact SUV with three unique features that set it apart from all other small SUVs.
A new report from Subaru Corporation lays out what they did when they put the third-generation Crosstrek on the drawing board. According to the development team of the 2024 Crosstrek, they worked on its development to achieve the following three goals.
The 2024 Crosstrek (Oasis Blue) and Joichiro Kezuka product development manager
1. Steering stability for straight driving and ride comfort with no blurring of the line of sight.
2. Driving with peace of mind even when the slipperiness of the road surface changes in a complex manner.
3. Driving with confidence on rough and slippery roads.
Subaru says they wanted to put "predictability" into the driving dynamics of the new Crosstrek. That means the driver can understand what the car is doing in any situation. There should be no surprises for the driver.
While driving, the driver receives various stimuli and information from the new Crosstrek. Subaru says the behavior of the small SUV changes depending on each situation, such as wet roads and sharp curves. Then, in response to the car's behavior, the driver steps on the brakes or turns the steering wheel.
The driver should feel the improvements in ride quality. The next-generation Crosstrek comes with a new full-inner-frame body design which increases body rigidity and reduces the weight of the small SUV. This also improves road performance and driving dynamics.
Subaru says the next-generation Crosstrek uses dual-pinion electric power steering, "which has almost no response lag during steering for a sporty, high-quality feel."
Subaru engineers designed the Crosstrek with a "seamless flow from recognizing the behavior of the car to the driving operation," so the driver feels more comfortable with the small SUV. To accomplish the connection to the car, Subaru's development site analyzes what kind of phenomena is occurring, from the driver's driving operation to the start of the vehicle, in tiny units of 1/1000th of a second.
By providing detailed analysis results as feedback to development, Subaru says they improved the accuracy of "predictability" and realized "peace of mind" that the car will move exactly as the driver intends. The car will respond exactly as they want.
In addition, Subaru uses a development method in which engineers test the car and incorporate the fine nuances they feel at that time into the vehicle. By directly evaluating what has been developed, they gave direct feedback on the driving dynamics of the new Crosstrek.
Subaru says the "enjoyment and peace of mind that results from our rigorous pursuit of moving and manipulating at will may be the root of "Subaru-ness" in every car." It sets the all-new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek apart from all other small SUVs.
Should you wait for the next-generation 2024 Subaru Crosstrek or buy the 2023 model?
If you can wait, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek's driving dynamics and driver connection with the vehicle will be much improved over the outgoing model. Subaru will also introduce the new Crosstrek Wilderness Edition, but it's coming later.
When will the 2024 Crosstrek be available for U.S. customers?
Subaru of America has yet to announce the next-generation 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. There are rumors from Planet Subaru that the new Crosstrek will be available in late spring of 2023. That's wishful thinking, and the new small SUV will likely arrive in the fall of 2023. Stay tuned.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Comments
The one area where my 2019
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The one area where my 2019 Subaru Impreza does not perform well is on very windy days. It is a light weight car that is easily bullied by the wind when driving at high speeds. Your driving along straight and with no warning, a quick gush of wind will quickly jerk your car left or right. You have to quickly respond and adjust the steering so the car doesn't drive off the road or into the left lane. It can be very scary.
This only occurs on very windy days. I usually have to drive 50 mph or slower to be safe from this phenomenon.
Can a car be designed to better combat heavy winds, other than making it bigger and heavier?