Saturday, June 8, 2024

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium AWD: The Brand’s Compact Crossover Is All-New


Highlight: The Wilderness trim offers 9.3 inches of ground clearance.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $29,935   (Base Model: $26,540)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; traction control; a stability control system; a tire pressure sensor system; an incline start assist system; a rear-view camera; hill descent control system; a traction control system; and automatic pre collision braking

Standard Equipment (Base): 17-inch wheels; all-wheel drive; a dual zone ventilation system; SI Drive engine performance management system; welcoming lighting; a dual zone ventilation system; roof spoiler; black folding side mirrors; roof cross bar mounting points; manually adjustable front seats; cloth seats; a manually operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; and a keyless entry system

Standard Equipment (Premium): 17-inch sport type alloy wheels; a push button starter ignition system; keyless entry system; LED foglights; an auto up and down button for all the windows; raised ladder type roof rails; a 12-inch infotainment screen; a 6-speaker audio system; body color exterior door handles; rear seat armrest with dual cupholders and charge ports available

Options: heated front seats; heated windshield and exterior mirrors; a power moonroof; a blind spot detection system; a lane change assist system; rear cross traffic alert system; and 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar support

Other Trim Levels:

Sport

Wilderness

Limited

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: an 4-speaker audio system with AM/FM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 or 60,000 miles

Engine/Horsepower: a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder/152-horsepower

Wilderness Towing Capacity: 3,500 towing capacity

Recommended Fuel: Regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 26-city/33-hwy (test model)


What’s New: The Crosstrek has been redesigned inside and out for the 2024 model year.

Why:

An alternative to entry level Jeeps

AWD

Leather seats available

A power driver’s seat with lumbar support

An improved ride quality

A minimum 8.7 inches of ground clearance

An easy-to-use infotainment system

A variety of powertrains

Folding second row seats leads to more utility space

A variety of driving modes

Heated front seats

X-mode display features a roll-angle indicator, helping the driver to judge potentially hazardous situations

Power moonroof available

Rear seat armrest with dual cupholders

Wilderness model is able to drive up steep grades at a low speed  

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available for the first time

But: 

Needs to add over 200-horsepower to match the competitors from both Jeep and Ford

The base and premium trims are only available with the smaller engine

The location of the ignition starter is close to the setting for the odometer reading, which can mistakenly lead to one using the wrong button

A push-button ignition starter should be standard across the board


Verdict: For car buyers in the market for a vehicle under $30,000, the compact crossover Crosstrek Premium fits the bill. The five passenger AWD crossover, which is available in a variety of trims, is one of the few vehicles on the market still within affordability range. 

Since we last reviewed the Crosstrek in 2021, the base model price has risen on average $1,200 annually over the past three years.

While the vehicle has been redesigned, it looks more evolutionary. From the naked eye, the exterior still looks relatively the same as the previous model. And the base 2.5-liter model engine still under performs. Its too bad the upgraded engine isn’t standard across the line.

However, the big news is more noticeable on the inside. The Crosstrek wears a new easy-to-use touchscreen infotainment screen. And wireless Apple CarPlay and Android are now available.

Moreover, the Premium trim we reviewed was an upgrade over the base model, including such features as a keyless push button ignition starter, keyless entry front doors and 6 audio speakers.

Lastly, the Crosstrek is available with the latest safety driving aids. In fact, the brand’s signature EyeSight driver assist technology is standard across the line. This feature monitors the movement of traffic, warns if the driver sways outside the lane and optimizes cruise control. 

Competition: Chevy Trailblazer; Ford Bronco Sport; Jeep Compass; and Mazda CX-30

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