Subaru Gets Shut Out Of KBB’s 2024 Best Buy Awards Again

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Where is Subaru in the latest Kelley Blue Book Best Buy of 2024 Awards? See which brands and cars get the top awards and why the all-new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, Impreza, Ascent, and Solterra get shut out again.

You won't find any Subaru vehicles again in the new Kelley Blue Book (KBB) Best Buy of 2024 Awards. I cover the awards yearly, and Subaru gets shut out again. 

I remember when Subaru used to have perennial winners in the KBB awards. The all-new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek should be on the list, but it's a no-show. Why are the all-new Crosstrek and Impreza still missing?

While other automakers are coming out with new vehicles, Subaru has the remodeled next-generation Crosstrek and all-new Impreza compact hatch.

How do the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek and Impreza compare with KBB's winners?

In the Subcompact SUV category, KBB gives the award to the 2024 Hyundai Kona. KBB says, "Bigger, more refined, and a better value than ever before, the Hyundai Kona offers a stunning amount of tech, safety, and convenience features for its ultra-low starting price."

Crosstrek is all-new, but it's not any bigger.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek competes in the Subcompact SUV category. 

The Crosstrek gets a complete remodel from the ground up but doesn't grow bigger like the Kona. Subaru chose to keep the Crosstrek with the same footprint and size inside, which hurts the new small SUV in these awards. 

What does KBB say about the Crosstrek? "We're already big fans of this spunky adventure-seeking vehicle — it looks like fun, and it is. But this year, Subaru has gone several steps further by redesigning it inside and out, softening the ride, boosting the quiet, and making wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across the board. A rugged Wilderness model joins the lineup for 2024 as well."

In the Compact Car category, KBB gives the award to the 2024 Honda Civic. KBB says, "Honda has perfected the compact car formula, which explains how the Civic has made our Compact Car Best Buy list nine out of 10 times. Regarding the features, pricing, and dependability small car buyers demand, the Civic dutifully checks all the right boxes. And as small cars go, the Civic is a delight."

The 2023 Subaru Impreza competes in the Compact Car category. 

What does KBB say about the new Impreza? "Now available solely as a hatchback, the new 2024 Impreza continues the good work carried out by the previous five generations while adding a good deal of refinement."

"New infotainment technology includes an 11.6-inch touchscreen, plus wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration. Driver aids have been upgraded, and a sporty RS version with 182 horsepower makes its debut."

My take

The 2024 Subaru Impreza hatchback is all-new, freshly upgraded, and should be a top pick. By their admission, KBB has picked the Honda Civic nine out of 10 times, so it will be hard to knock it off the throne.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is remodeled with fresh upgrades and gets a new Wilderness trim level. The Crosstrek should have been the top pick by KBB. It's now ranked the number one small SUV by Consumer Reports, and compared with the Hyundai Kona, it's not even a close race.

Your turn 

Which small SUV would you choose? The 2024 Hyundai Kona or the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek?

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru Crosstrek and Impreza story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

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I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

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photo credit: Subaru

Submitted by Z1az (not verified) on December 13, 2023 - 6:41PM

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My guess? its because of the large number of recalls for the 2024 Crosstrek at least for the subcompact SUV segment

I understand why Subaru didn’t make the cut - they didn’t deserve it. Back when they first hit the market with the pioneering AWD wagon, I and everyone else dreamed of owning one. Fast forward to 2019 and I finally pulled the trigger and bought a Forester. It has been a reliable car for the most part and handles the snow with ease. But it is uninspired, gets marginal to poor gas mileage for its small size, and the dealers charge far too much for service. Our 66k mile service quote was for $2500. Seriously, it is the first and last Subaru we will own. Last year, we bought my wife a RAV4 Hybrid and it is much quieter, runs better, gets far better gas mileage (almost 15 more miles per gallon). I read that Subaru is partnered with Toyota to equip some models with hybrid engines. That will be a huge improvement. This is our first Toyota and we love it. Looking forward to seeing the new hybrids Toyota has coming out over the next few years. Cheers!

Submitted by Linda Strzelczyk (not verified) on December 14, 2023 - 11:35AM

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I'm a three-time Subaru owner, and I chose a Forester over a Crosstrek. My #1 reason is that the Crosstrek has NO cargo room after you put your essentials in there. Two to three grocery bags, and that's about it. It's stuffed! Subaru really needs to add at least 1.5 feet to the cargo area to make it more useful for items we purchase, and luggage etc for road trips. If you start using your back seat for storage, it makes the vehicle look sloppy.