Subaru Crosstrek Gets Top Safety Scores In Europe, But Not In The U.S.

Crosstrek achieved five stars.

Is the next-generation Subaru Crosstrek a safe model? The answer is a resounding yes, according to a new round of safety tests in Europe. Subaru Europe announced that the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek has achieved the maximum five-star rating in the new European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) safety test.

But in the new vehicle testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the U.S., the Crosstrek does not get the top scores. What does it mean for customers? 

Subaru says, "The Crosstrek registered scores above the required threshold in all four key assessment areas, Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road Users, and Safety Assistance. This achievement results in all Subaru models on sale in the UK having attained Euro NCAP five-star status."

Here are the Euro NCAP results. 

• Crosstrek scored 90% in the Child Occupant safety category
• 85% achieved in the protection of road users with top scores awarded in crash avoidance tests with cyclists and motorcyclists
• Top scores for Driver and passenger safety with 83% for two types of lateral crash impacts
• Five-star Euro NCAP rating now attained for all Subaru models on sale in the UK

Child Occupant Assessment area

Subaru says in the Child Occupant assessment area, the Subaru Crosstrek was one of the best-performing vehicles tested in 2024, attaining the maximum points in Crash Test Performance (both frontal and lateral impact) based on six and ten-year-old children and CRS installation checks. 

Good protection was provided for all critical body regions during the frontal offset test and the more severe side pole impact tests, with maximum points scored in this part of the assessment. 

"The Crosstrek is equipped with a robust system which automatically disables the front passenger airbag when a rearward-facing child restraint is used in that seating position. The Crosstrek is also equipped with an indirect 'child presence detection' system (i.e., Rear Seat Reminder), which warns when it recognizes that a child or infant may have been left in the car. Additionally, all the child seats and restraint types for which the Crosstrek is designed could be correctly installed and accommodated in the vehicle," says Subaru.

Vulnerable Road Users Assessment area

Crosstrek attained the maximum points for auto emergency braking Cyclists and Lane Support Motorcyclists for the Vulnerable Road Users assessment area. Euro NCAP says the system's performance in the detection of and reaction to cyclists and motorcyclists was good across all tested scenarios.

Adult Occupant assessments

The Subaru Crosstrek scored maximum points in the side barrier test and the more severe side-pole impact, as the protection of all critical body regions was good. Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric analysis of the rear seats also indicated whiplash protection. 

Safety Assist assessment area

According to the latest applicable test, Crosstrek attained the maximum points in the Lane Support category. The lane support system (Lane Keep Assist) gently corrects the vehicle's path when drifting out of a lane and will then intervene in more critical situations (i.e., Emergency Lane Keeping). 

The Subaru Crosstrek is also equipped with a seatbelt reminder system fitted as standard to the front and rear seats, which gained the maximum score in the category, and a driver status monitoring system.

Crosstrek has different results in the new IIHS testing. 

In the IIHS' latest batch of safety ratings, two more Subaru vehicles qualify for Top Safety Pick awards, but not the new Crosstrek. Read my latest report here.

The 2024 Subaru Solterra is now a top-tier winner, earning a Top Safety Pick+ award, and the 2024 Subaru WRX earned the next-tier winner, earning a Top Safety Pick award. 

Why does Subaru have fewer models that qualify for the top awards? Where is the Crosstrek?

New models must now meet more stringent requirements to earn the IIHS's Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ designations. 

The Subaru Crosstrek, Legacy, and BRZ models have not qualified for awards under the new IIHS guidelines. 

Subaru will have to update its safety technology to comply with the new criteria set forth by the IIHS. Will the 2025 model year Subaru Forester, Crosstrek, and other Subaru vehicles meet the more challenging requirements? Stay tuned. 

IIHS president David Harkey underscores the ongoing evolution of safety standards, stating, "There's still progress to be made in the protection that vehicles provide for their occupants, as the introduction of the updated moderate overlap test shows."

However, the new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek qualifies for five stars in the latest 2024 Euro NCAP safety testing round. 

Subaru's exceptional performance in Euro NCAP's tests underscores Subaru's commitment to safety and is a key factor for potential customers to consider.

I'll update customers on more Subaru vehicle safety testing and ratings as soon as they are available. 

Do safety scores weigh in on your new vehicle buying decision? How much? 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 SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Competition Subaru