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The Subaru Crosstrek Appears To Be Virtually Unstoppable

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is good now and getting better. The Crosstrek appears to be unbeatable. What happened in October sent it soaring even higher, and what's next for the hot subcompact SUV could launch it into greatness. 

The Crosstrek is good and on the way to becoming great. 

When Subaru redesigned the 2024 Crosstrek, the small SUV didn't look much different on the outside. It's not the way Subaru does things. They make incremental changes. The Crosstrek kept its familiar look, and the size stayed the same. But it did get significant upgrades on the inside and underneath its skin. Read more in my next-gen report here

In this report, I'll discuss what happened to the Crosstrek in October and where the subcompact is headed. It could be on the way to being great. 

October was another fantastic month for Crosstrek in America.

Subaru of America (SOA) announced it was the best-ever October sales performance for the 2024 Crosstrek subcompact SUV. The Crosstrek is on fire and leads the entire lineup of all-wheel-drive vehicles. 

Troy Poston, Senior Vice President of Sales, Subaru of America, says, "With a strong vehicle lineup and the ability to find the right match for any driver’s needs, we’re looking forward to seeing this success continue into the holiday season."

The Subaru Crosstrek sits on top of the mountain again.

The next-generation Crosstrek keeps piling up records, recording its best October ever with 15,928 vehicles sold, a 15.7 percent increase compared to October 2023. 

Crosstrek is not slowing down. 

With two months to go, the hot Crosstrek subcompact SUV is set to be the best-selling model in SOA's all-wheel-drive lineup this year. Crosstrek now has 147,775 total sales compared with the second place Forester with 143,529 sales in the first ten months of 2024. 

The Crosstrek was the number one selling nameplate in 2022, took second place in 2023, and now is on pace to repeat and outpace what it did in 2022. One trim level made the difference. 

Wilderness takes Crosstrek to another level of hot. Check out my report here

When Subaru brought out the outdoor-themed and rugged off-road-ready Crosstrek Wilderness, outdoor enthusiasts jumped on the new high-riding model, and now it's the hottest trim in the Crosstrek lineup.    

More new upgrades are coming for the 2025 model year.

Subaru isn't sitting on the Crosstrek's past success. The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek is set to arrive this month with new improvements. The significant change is the Crosstrek Premium trim level gets a new 2.5-liter Boxer engine upgrade. It will improve Crosstrek sales even more. Find out more in my report here.

What next after 2025? 

A new Crosstrek Hybrid is on the drawing board. 

Subaru announced it will launch its strong-hybrid system (SHEV), also called a full-hybrid technology, in Japan's Crosstrek subcompact SUV and Forester compact SUV. They will now use the larger 2.5-liter Boxer engine.

The new Subaru 2.5-liter hybrid system is mated to an 88-kW electric motor versus the mild-hybrid's 10-kW motor. The bigger battery also helps improve fuel economy. The potent full-hybrid gets a 1-kilowatt-hour power pack, up from 0.6 kWh in the mild hybrid. It also has a higher voltage, 260 volts, versus 188. 

Subaru says the new next-generation Crosstrek hybrid will deliver a 50% boost in driving range and a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy, which will result in the best fuel efficiency in Subaru's lineup. In addition, extended EV driving also improves quietness.

When will the Crosstrek Hybrid launch in America?

After the Japanese launch, the automaker said it would launch the two new SHEVs in America for U.S. customers. The Forester will arrive in 2025 and will be manufactured in Subaru of Indiana Automotive's U.S. plant. Subaru has yet to say when the new Crosstrek Hybrid will make its North American launch. Stay tuned.

I expect the Crosstrek Hybrid will elevate the small SUV to even greater heights when it arrives. The new Crosstrek Hybrid, available across the U.S., not just in certain regions, will offer customers the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive model. 

American Subaru customers will embrace this new hybrid. 

"To meet the growing customer demand, we are committed to developing not just battery-electric vehicles but also internal combustion models equipped with hybrid systems," Managing Executive Officer Hiroshi Watahiki said. 

You probably remember the 2023 Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid that was discontinued after a short run in the American market. I won't explain why it failed, but you can read my report here to learn more. 

This year, the Crosstrek is set to be the number-one selling nameplate. Subaru hit a home run with the new Crosstrek Wilderness. With the addition of the Crosstrek Premium trim with the 2.5-liter Boxer engine upgrade and a new Crosstrek SHEV Hybrid, there's no telling how high the Crosstrek will climb.

Did you purchase a next-gen 2024 Crosstrek? Let us know what you like or dislike about the small SUV. Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Writer 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 SubaruReportAll Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierlFacebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Competition Subaru

Comments

R Lanier (not verified)    November 4, 2024 - 11:32AM

The Crosstrek needs a dual range manual transmission, it was available on the old GL wagons and they were unstoppable. My 2019 Crosstrek ( manual transmission) has been lifted and has Falkin off-road tires and wheels, it is as capable as any Jeep. Add the skid plates and a good roof rack and you are good to go. It just needs a few more HP. If I was to buy a Hybrid it would have to be one like Edison motors makes or the new Ram Charger, electric with a onboard generator that automatically kicks in, that's the only sensible way to make one.

Barry Smith (not verified)    November 4, 2024 - 3:57PM

I continue to read how well the Crosstrek is selling. I think one thing underestimated is the increased pricing of the 2025 Forester. Although it is selling well, it should be dominating the Subaru lineup. Consumers are just fed up with the high cost of new vehicles, and the Forester increasing by around $3000 on each trim, and the factor there is no hybrid is holding it back. Also current reviews of the Forester have it much lower then other brands like Honda, Kia, etc. I think Subaru missed reading the market correctly.

Doug Newell (not verified)    November 4, 2024 - 9:22PM

I have a 2024 crosstrek wilderness .It's the greatest car ever! I love the way it grips the snow and has lower torque levels for inclines and declines. One baaad machine! Great gas mileage and unbelievable power lets you rip down the road.

Tina (not verified)    November 4, 2024 - 10:10PM

I bought my 2024 Crosstrek Sport in February this year and absolutely LOVE it! I was Able to take it on some back trails in the Big Bend mountains. It has great fuel efficiency, and just the best ride. Will never buy another vehicle other than Subaru again.

Mary ann OConnor (not verified)    November 4, 2024 - 10:24PM

Love my new 2024 Crosstrek!!!! As ‘m older now I gave up my Outback as it always seemed too big for me. But I loved that too. Love the sporty/classy Wilderness Crosstrek model.

BIG disappointment are two things: the apple CarPlay does not work and shuts down many calls. Totally frustrating. And the huge screen is distracting while it leaves it making heat or Ac changes almost impossible while driving. Really unsafe and senseless. Eyes should be on the road not a screen while driving. And apparently Subaru did it to save a few cents. Like they need to do that??

Jim Burgess (not verified)    November 5, 2024 - 1:46AM

Is the crosstrek Wilderness coming to Australia. Please don't reply if the Wilderness isn't coming to Australia before Christmas.

nathalie (not verified)    November 5, 2024 - 7:35AM

J'adore mon crosstreck 2024 touring ! 3e auto neuve pour moi apres un chevrolet, mazda et maintenant subaru ! Subaru est loin devant...tres loin meme .

Pam Prescott (not verified)    November 5, 2024 - 1:44PM

I did just buy a Subaru crosstrek limited.
It’s a beautiful color green and so much fun to drive! There are 4 now in my neighborhood.

Hopefully the new hybrid will not be a plug in.

Bette King (not verified)    November 5, 2024 - 2:52PM

I just purchased the 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness in October. I do like the looks and the ride is alot more smoother snd quieter. The seats are ok and better than leather but I would have preferred black cloth like the premium model. Another plus is the black headliner. Now the cons the big screen is too distracting to locate and adjust climate controls just like cellphones. I would much prefer a smaller screen with the knobs for climate control. I do not like the cheap looking gas gauge and again I liked the blue digital gas gauge that was in my 2018 Crosstrek Limited. Lastly I would hope soon Subaru would add backseat AC and Heat vents.

Paul Gigliotti (not verified)    November 5, 2024 - 8:01PM

I have a 2024 Crosstrek Premium (white). I bought it in June of 2023. I have put 13,000+ miles on it and presently averaging 33 miles per gallon.
I really love the car, I never had a car that handles as well as the Crosstrek. It has met or exceeded all my expectations.
My dealer, Auto Fair of Haverhill, MA has been great.

Gil (not verified)    November 6, 2024 - 12:29AM

Hi! Great article. Always enjoy reading content from here. I just purchased a 2024 crosstrek wilderness after deciding to part with my 2028 Subaru Legacy. I was very hesitant on the crosstrek, but after some weighing or pros/cons it checked all the boxes i needed, except for one; fuel economy. I knew it would suffer given the ride-height of the vehicle. Regardless of this, I'm enjoying the vehicle. I just hit 1000 miles. This will be my daily driver (80miles a day/5dayswk) so it will climb quick. Curious about the longevity. Infotainment lags sometimes, wish they kept the digital temperature dials versus the up/down flat buttons. Wish the small, digital driver screen was more configurable, since they still don't have full-digital gauge clusters. Acceleration could be quicker, Wish the gave option for the turbo engine. Front camera for the wilderness trim maybe for next model year? More camera angle options to utilize the bigger screen would have been nice. Hate the auto/start stop. Wish that was a physical button since you have to turn it off every time you start the vehicle. Really appreciate the responssive headlights, great feature.

overall great car. really enjoying it and seems very capable. Comfortable and also practical too. Thanks for the article again and for the allowing the sharing of ideas and opinions. Cheers!🙂

Robert (not verified)    November 6, 2024 - 9:25AM

I have a 2024 Crosstrek Limited, and I do not love it. I find the ergonomics / drivers seat and cockpit area to be very uncomfortable, and I find the touch screen to be very annoying and placed to far from the driver.

Wendy (not verified)    November 10, 2024 - 10:46AM

I purchased the Wilderness and I love it except the engine seems to really wind out now when accelerating. Like it is stuck in the one gear and just doesn't get any further. My first Subaru. Is this normal or should I take it in. I did not notice it on my test drive. I have about 5000 miles and get 25mpgs...mostly city. Other than that is is a great vehicle!

Jill (not verified)    November 10, 2024 - 10:50PM

Love my 24 Crosstreck Wilderness,
except screen can be glitchy and driver's side seat belt buckle always gets stuck between side of car and seat back when pulling across to buckle.

Joe (not verified)    November 12, 2024 - 9:33AM

I looked at the Crosstrek. But I was disappointed in the infotainment screen. More specifically, I didn’t like the HVAC system integrated into the electrical digital touchscreen display. That will likely lead to expensive electrical repairs down the road.