The Two Sweetest Words For Parents Of Teen Drivers, Affordable and Safe, It’s the Subaru Crosstrek Says KBB

Affordable and safe. 

For parents seeking a new car that balances affordability and safety, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is a top contender. Kelley Blue Book, a trusted resource for car shoppers, recommends the Crosstrek as one of the best small SUV under $30,000 that offers both these crucial factors. 

Better yet, I'll explain why the 2025 Crosstrek is a better value if you wait another month. I'll also explain why the remodeled Subaru is the best choice for your teen driver and the whole family. 

Safety is the sweetest word for a parent of a teen driver. 

Kelley Blue Book says, "If you learn nothing else, here's the No.1 takeaway: safety. According to the United States Department of Transportation, teen car crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to 18-year-olds in the U.S. This list is about safety — the absolute main qualifier for each of our best car picks."

Before I give you the reasons to pick the Crosstrek over the other models, here are KBB's eight best picks for teens under $30,000. 

• 2024 Toyota Prius - Starting Price: $29,085
• 2025 Honda Civic - Starting Price: $25,345
• 2024 Toyota Corolla - Starting Price: $23,185
• 2025 Kia Seltos - Starting Price: $25,965
• 2024 Subaru Crosstrek - Starting Price: $26,540
• 2025 Hyundai Kona - Starting Price: $25,745
• 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer - Starting Price: $24,395
• 2025 Nissan Kicks - Starting Price: $23,220

What does KBB say about the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek?

"Redesigned for 2024, Subaru's go-anywhere Crosstrek comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD) backed by a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Fuel economy is a respectable 29 mpg combined or 27 in Wilderness trim."

"Every Crosstrek comes standard with Subaru's EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. It also boasts forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert is optional or standard on upper trim levels." 

Regarding connectivity, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek won't dissapoint your teen.

"Connectivity includes dual 7-inch touchscreens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto (wireless is an option), Bluetooth connectivity, and hands-free phone integration."

What KBB didn't tell you. 

The Subaru Crosstrek is a Top Safety Pick winner from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It gets top scores for its crashworthiness and crash avoidance and mitigation. 

The small SUV has top-rated LED headlights, so your teen will see the best at night when many accidents occur. They are also curve-adaptive to see around blind and dark corners. 

The Crosstrek recently received another award from the IIHS. They say the Crosstrek has the most improved safety seat belt reminder. You want your teen to buckle up, and the Crosstrek will be sure to remind them. Check my report here for more information. 

There's more to Crosstrek's safety tech.

Your teen won't be calling you from a ditch because they slide off a snowy, slick road.  

The Crosstrek comes with Subaru's excellent Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. Your teen won't have to engage the system in inclement weather. It's a full-time all-wheel-drive technology that senses when the wheels slip and adjusts accordingly. 

Subaru of America recently announced the 2025 Crosstrek pricing and upgrades. Here is the 2025 Crosstrek pricing.

• Base - $27,115
• Premium - $28,365
• Sport - $30,915
• Limited - $32,815
• Wilderness - $33,915

Which trim level is the best?

I suggest waiting for the 2025 Crosstrek that arrives at U.S. retailers in the next month or two. Subaru announced that the Crosstrek Premium trim level gets significant upgrades for the 2025 model year, enhancing its performance and making it a more compelling choice for potential buyers. 

The Crosstrek Premium trim gets enhanced performance.

This 2.5-liter engine upgrade significantly enhances the Crosstrek Premium's performance, making it a more compelling choice for potential buyers, especially at its price point of $28,365 (including destination and delivery fees). 

The previous 2024 Crosstrek Premium had the 2.0-liter Boxer engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the 2025 Premium trim now comes with 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, a significant improvement that justifies the small $280 price increase. 

There's still more.

The previous 2024 Premium trim did not have Subaru's best severe weather and off-road features. For the 2024 model year, Crosstrek Premium had the standard X-Mode system but not dual-function X-Mode.

The 2025 Premium's new dual-function X-Mode tech includes selectable Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings to optimize all-wheel drive performance in difficult weather or adverse road conditions. Now, customers can go deeper off-road and get off the grid with the Premium trim. Find out more about dual-function X-Mode in my report here. 

Conclusion:

No other car or small SUV on KBB's list has the Crosstrek's all-wheel drive performance in challenging weather and adverse road conditions. You and your entire family will be safest in the new Crosstrek. 

It's a budget-friendly option that doesn't compromise on safety. The improved performance of the 2025 model will surely excite you and your teen driver.

Kenzi's story.

Check out what happens when a Subaru Crosstrek slides off the road, flips three times, and hits a tree. Did the teen driver sustain life-threatening injuries? She should have but walked away instead. Here is Kenzi's incredible survival story. 

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: Denis Flierl via Competition Subaru