It has been a decade since the Subaru Crosstrek entered our world winning over the hearts of many weekend adventure warriors. And because the recipe for the Crosstrek has been so good over the years, as it enters its 3^rd generation for 2024, the recipe gets slightly enhanced with a dash here and a sprinkle there without affecting its overall flavor that everyone enjoys.  

Getting Wild 

After landing on an all-new Impreza, the Crosstrek was sure to follow in the same footsteps. Foregoing dramatic changes, the differences between the previous model and this new model are subtle, but noticeable. The front end has been redesigned to be a hair more aggressive with a chiseled, sporty look and smaller headlights while the back grows up to follow in the footsteps of its fatherly Outback and gains slightly more ruggedness with added body cladding. 

The Crosstrek continues onward down the off beaten path with its 8.7-inches of ground clearance and rugged good looks and standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive System. But for those that want to up the ante and go wild, an all-new Wilderness option enhances the Crosstrek off-road behavior with 9.3-inches of ground clearance, Yokohama all-terrain tires and the ability to two up to 3500lbs. 

Added Power, Not Much Go 

If you’re familiar with the Subaru Crosstrek and its history, then I have some bad news, the entry-level manual transmission option has been axed since so many favor the CVT automatic. However, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine continues to march on – rumor has it though, that is not the engine to have. Luckily, our example arrived wearing the Limited badge gets the upgraded 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine which is new to the Crosstrek and adds 30 more horsepower over the previous model. The 2.5-liter is available on the Sport, Limited and all-new Wilderness models that gets propelled with 182-horsepower and 178-pound feet of torque.  

Having not tested the last two generations of the Crosstrek, I cannot tell you what the difference is like, but if this 2.5-liter is an upgrade, it must have been dreadfully slow. Taking just over 8-seconds to 60-mph the Crosstrek isn’t quite the go-getter on the streets as it is in the wild. The bump in power does allow for smooth freeway acceleration and the ability to pass other motorists but requires some planning before making any hasty decisions. The CVT transmission is smooth with constant linear power but there is the constant droning note as it passes 4,000 rpms. To give the CVT a more familiar tune, Subaru implemented fake shift points and steering wheel paddle shifters to give that extra feel of sporty control.  

Talking Dirty, Staying Clean 

On the pavement, the Crosstrek wants to tune into its inner WRX sporty off-spring; after all, it carries a modified version of its electrotonically assisted power steering system. Responses are well received behind the wheel, but getting the sporty sensation is another story. Staying true straight is another issue, because the steering has been tuned to such high sensitivity with a sports car pedigree, the slightest input requires correction and is almost too quick to respond for a car that is not designed to be sporty at all. It takes some time to get accustomed to its driving dynamics. On the plus side its brakes have been increased and after first-hand experience of someone making a left turn in front of us in the rain, the 12.4-inch front and 11.2-inch rear rotors sure did their job.  

Cons: Annoying drones from the CVT, styling feels more like a mid-cycle refresh than an all-new model. 

It was a rainy week here in Arizona and with the desert in our backyard being the Crosstrek’s playground full of muddy trails… we unfortunately stayed well behaved. However, the Crosstrek does carry plenty of off-road software for the individual that does like to wander – by engaging Deep Snow/Mud drive mode, the Crosstrek works similar to a rock crawl system, working like a crab to maneuver its way through less tractable terrain diverting the torque and power to each wheel where it deems traction can be provided.  

Simplicity Styling

Inside, things are kept clean and simple with no over dramatic styling or screen size. The upgraded 11.6-inch multi-media screen on this Limited is decently sized for easy-to-use functionality while on the go. The Crosstrek also encompass wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone pairing. The seats are decently comfortable for people of any size, trimmed in leather and feature a groovy orange pattern embossed in the center. For its compact size, there is plenty of room for passenger comfort in the back and adequate sub-compact crossover storage capacity in the back with a folding center armrest to slide elongated activity equipment through.  

The entry-level Crosstrek starts at $25,195, but to keep up with the hustle of today’s traffic, you’ll want the extra power of the 2.5-liter engine which starts with the Sport at $29,195. Our Limited, which brings in semi-premium features, steps it up to $31,095 and if you want the upgraded Harman Kardon sound system with a sunroof and navigation, like ours did, it comes at the price of $34,635.  

Pros: Improved off-road chops, wireless phone pairing, impressive Eye-Sight safety system & adaptive cruise control software, 27-MPG’s. 

The Sport is really where the party is at – it elevates the exterior with 18” rims, yellow accents, an attractive robust cloth interior and heated front seats. In either trim, the Crosstrek is always down to get dirty with its impressive X-Mode all-wheel drive on or off the pavement.