The Crosstrek is popular
The Crosstrek is popular because of pricing & sporty looking design, not functionality. I’m on my 6th Outback since 1997 (which was an Outback Sport). My current one is a Wilderness. The Crosstrek lacks the ground clearance & the cargo capacity of the Outback. Throw in the Wilderness & there’s no comparison, but for many it’s the price & sporty look that does it for them. From what I see, most of the buyers are younger, often without kids or with very young kids. Once those kids get older they will outgrow the Crosstrek. The Crosstrek is a great vehicle, but it lacks the capability of the Outback on many levels, but to each their own.