Yes, Subaru Crosstrek Is The Hottest Model In America

How hot is the remodeled Subaru Crosstrek? The next-gen subcompact SUV leads all models in one critical area. Did Subaru hit a home run with the small SUV or a grand slam?  

It's not an overstatement to say the Subaru Crosstrek is the hottest model in America.

A new report from Cloud Theory reveals the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek had the most significant increase of vehicles sold to customers in the past 90 days in the U.S. of any model. They identified ten cars, SUVs, and trucks with the most considerable growth, and Crosstrek was number one.

It's not a surprise to me because I reported that Crosstrek made a bold statement last month in sales performance. Get more information in my report here. 

Crosstrek sets an all-time record.

Subaru of America SOA reported in August that the all-new next-generation Crosstrek achieved its best sales month of all time, with 20,396 vehicles sold (surpassing the record of 16,092 set in September 2022), a 47 percent increase compared to August 2023. That's impressive.

Troy Poston, the new Senior Vice President of Sales at Subaru of America, says, "Crosstrek, in particular, achieved its best sales month ever, becoming the right match for a steadily growing number of Subaru owners."

Cloud Theory used its Horizon data and insights platform to identify the Vehicle Movement Biggest Gainers over the past 90 days (compared to the prior period) to see which models are increasing their "moved metal" counts the most. 

Subaru moves metal.

The Urban Dictionary says the term "moving metal" was coined in Detroit decades ago. "Though no one seems to remember who said it first. But if you've been in the auto industry for any length of time, chances are that you've heard—or even used—that phrase to describe the most closely watched metric of them all: vehicle sales," says Cloud Theory. 

Now, the Crosstrek appears to be the hottest new vehicle in America.

I will explain why the Crosstrek is the hottest model, but first, I've listed the top ten biggest "metal movers." 

The top 10 biggest gainers - 90 days ending September 23, 2024.

1. Subaru Crosstrek +12,164
2. Chevrolet Trax +12,156
3. Toyota Land Cruiser +11,569
4. Toyota Tacoma +11,304
5. Ford F-150 +10,480
6. Honda Prologue +10,263
7. Kia K5 +9,689
8. Ford Bronco Sport +9,204
9. Chevrolet Equinox EV +8,401
10. Chevrolet Traverse +8,132

The Subaru Crosstrek is the right vehicle at the right time.

The Crosstrek was completely redesigned for the 2024 model year. The remodeled third-generation Crosstrek received multiple upgrades over the outgoing second-gen model. You can read about the enhancements in my report here.

Crosstrek is affordable. 

Cloud Theory says, "At a time when new vehicle marketed prices are still hovering around $50,000 and the number of available lower-end models has dropped drastically, the top two models on this list—Subaru Crosstrek and Chevrolet Trax—are among the most inexpensive on the market today. Two other affordable choices—the Kia K5 and Ford Bronco Sport—are also in the top 10."

What is the Crosstrek pricing?

The Crosstrek is available in five trim levels.

• The Base model starts at $26,540
• Premium $28,085 
• Sport $30,935
• Limited $32,440 
• Wilderness $33,540 

Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($1,345).

More Crosstrek models are available.

According to Cloud Theory, another key contributor to vehicle movement gains is an inventory increase. "As new vehicle supply continues to rebound from previous supply-chain-challenged-lows, new introductions, and inventory replenishment are also having an impact."

If you are a regular reader of my reports, you know that the Crosstrek was the hardest-to-find model in America for the past two years. That has changed now. Subaru Corporation decided to bring Crosstrek Sport, Limited, and Wilderness trim-level manufacturing to the U.S. plant in Lafayette, Indiana, moving it from Gunma, Japan. 

Now, customers In North America can get the Crosstrek quicker without the shipping delays from Japan. It was a significant move by Subaru Corporation and Subaru of America. One that has proved monumental in Crosstrek's number-one movement in vehicle sales volume.

With more Crosstrek models available, potential buyers can rest assured that they can find the best trim level.

Crosstrek is a top-10 pick. 

I've reported that the Subaru Crosstrek is a Consumer Reports top 10 pick for 2024. You can read my report here for more details. 

Cloud Theory says The Consumer Reports ranking "Solidifying its bona fides as a perennial favorite of automotive editors and industry experts. It also doesn't hurt that Crosstrek's Cloud Theory Market Adjustment, which measures the marketed discounts and incentives that appear on dealer websites, went from -$62 last year to -$915 now."

Cloud Theory quotes me in my recent report.  

"As the writer (Denis Flierl) at Torque News put it, "Before now, Subaru retailers had less inventory and higher demand for the Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek. Now, retailers across America have increased inventory, fewer buyers because of the economy, and higher interest rates, and they have to offer incentives to move new Subaru models off their lots." 

There's still more.

The decision by Subaru of America to offer the all-new Crosstrek Wilderness in the third-generation model proved pivotal. The Crosstrek Wilderness has been a monumental success right from the start. 

The Subaru Crosstrek already caters to active customers, with its 8.7 inches of ground clearance, Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, X-Mode, and dual-function X-Mode for all-weather and all-terrain capability. 

The Wilderness trim took the Crosstrek subcompact SUV to another level of off-road capability for outdoor enthusiasts. The Wilderness trim can go anywhere now with its rugged upgrades. 

Cloud Theory sums it up well. 

"As noted, there are multiple paths to vehicle movement growth. But it is refreshing that moving metal the old-fashioned way—by offering a good product at a good price—can still win the day in today's automotive marketplace."

Subaru didn't just hit a home run with the next-gen Crosstrek; they hit a grand slam home run in the bottom of the ninth to win the World Series. What will they do to follow that up? Stay tuned. Subaru has more up its sleeve.  

Let's hear from you.

We'd love to hear from you if you've recently purchased a Subaru Crosstrek. Click the red 'Add New Comment' link below and share your thoughts. What features do you love about the new small SUV? How does it compare to other models you've owned? Your feedback is valuable to us and our readers.

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: Subaru