The New Subaru Crosstrek Hangs Tough But You Can't Win Em All 

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is a top-three model for Subaru of America (SOA). It's still hot but has fallen from its high perch two years ago. Crosstrek finished 2022 as the top-selling model for SOA. It was the hottest model and a surprise. Check my report here. 

You Can't Win Em All 

Last year, the Crosstrek just narrowly missed first place but was beaten out by the Subaru Outback. It wasn't by much. You can read my report here.

2024 is a different story, at least through the first five months. The Crosstrek has fallen to third place after the Forester and Outback. Here are the numbers.

There's Nothing Wrong With May's Numbers

Subaru reports that it delivered 13,836 Crosstrek subcompact SUVs to customers in May, compared with 10,456 in May 2023. That's a significant increase of 32.3 percent. 

SOA sold 64,368 Crosstrek models to customers for the year, compared with 62,328 models through the first five months of 2023. That's a measly 3.3 percent gain, which is why Crosstrek dropped to third place. 

It's Too Close To Call

The Outback (64,850) and Crosstrek (64,368) are neck-and-neck for the second-highest total sales volume for the year. The Outback edged ahead by 482 model sales through the first five months. This will be the race to watch, but it's too close to call only five months in. 

Subaru of America Sums It Up

"The Outback was the top seller with 16,506 vehicles sold, followed closely by Forester with 15,345 vehicles sold, a 45 percent increase over May 2023. Crosstrek also had a strong month with 13,836 vehicles sold, a 32.3 percent increase over the same month in 2023."

Even dropping to third overall, between Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek, the Crosstrek is only one of three models up in percentage of sales for the year. 

Forester has increased 61.4 percent, Crosstrek is up 3.3 percent, and Outback has decreased 0.5 percent. 

Can Crosstrek Catch Forester?

It will be hard for the Subaru Crosstrek to catch the hot Forester, but it's not impossible. For the year, SOA has delivered 81,741 Forester compact SUVs to customers, compared with 64,368 Crosstrek models sold. That's a difference of 17,373 models.

To catch Forester, the Crosstrek would have to sell 2,481 more models than Forester for the remaining seven months of the year. Here's how it could happen. 

You've Heard Of The Wild Child

The new rugged Crosstrek Wilderness could be the trim level to push it over. Crosstrek is the model most taken off-road by customers, and now outdoor enthusiasts have the Wilderness trim level that's already set up to get further off the trail. Read my report on Wilderness here.

While the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness trim is all-new, the 2024 Forester Wilderness is a carry-over model for 2025. A next-generation Forester Wilderness will not be available until sometime next year. 

William Stokes, planning manager for the Forester at Subaru of America, told Automotive News recently that the rugged outdoor-themed Subaru Forester Wilderness trim, which the automaker launched in 2021 as a sub-brand for active customers, will continue to be offered on the Forester but will not be available at the model's dealer launch this spring. 

I've seen that the Crosstrek Wilderness outsells the Forester Wilderness, although Subaru does not release those numbers.

The Forester Wilderness Doesn't Stack Up Against The Crosstrek Wilderness

In my comparison, which you can read here, I found that the Crosstrek Wilderness has additional ground clearance, more torque, and more towing capacity for outdoor enthusiasts than the Forester Wilderness. 

Advantage Crosstrek

For those who want to get further off the grid, the Crosstrek Wilderness is the more capable model for handling extreme off-road terrain. It's also $1,955 less than the Forester Wilderness.

Besides the cargo volume, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is the clear winner over the 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness. 

And There's One More Thing

The Crosstrek Wilderness is built in the U.S. plant in Lafayette, Indiana. The Forester Wilderness is built in Gunma, Japan. Customers don't have to wait as long to get the Crosstrek. 

Can the Crosstrek catch and pass the Forester for the top-selling model? With the new rugged Crosstrek Wilderness, it has a good shot. 

Which rugged Wilderness model would you choose if you could buy one this year? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a top Torque News reporter since 2012. I’ve invested over 13 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand. I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find my expert Subaru analysis here. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Adventure Subaru