2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport
Making the right choice is tougher than we think.
Over the past year, we were fortunate to sample two 2024 Subaru Crosstrek models. One with a smaller engine that was spunky and fun to drive. The other was their off-road ready Wilderness model with more power, ground clearance, and the goods to get you anywhere you want to go.
We love the Crosstrek very much. However, we may have found the right combination you could be looking for in one. One with the larger, more powerful engine, but with enough equipment to perhaps get you almost everywhere.
The Crosstrek Sport is not a compromise. Rather, a different personality for the popular small crossover hatchback. Let us explain…
It remains a sharp-looking vehicle. Just like most Crosstrek models, there is the enlarged grille and front bumper skin, claw-type taillights and rear bumper design. Our Sport tester came with 18-inch dark gray-finished alloy wheels, some yellow trim in several places, and a black panel across the liftgate where the taillights are located. The roof rails are sturdy and can be used for extra gear when trekking to the cabin.
On our Sport tester, we found the instrumentation binnacle to be clean, with an informative digital screen in-between the two analog dials. The steering wheel adds more tactile controls. This tester also came with the 11.6-inch Starlink portrait touchscreen in the center stack with a few tactile controls on each side of the extensive screen.
Front seat comfort is really good. The Sport’s cloth seats are accommodating and supportive, with plenty of bolstering. Rear seat room is actually good for people just over six-feet tall. You can sit up to five inside the Crosstrek without any fatigue. The cargo space is actually very useful, starting with 19.9 cubic feet expanding to 54.7 cubic feet with the rear seat down.
Getting the Crosstrek Sport means having it powered by the larger 182-horsepower 2.5-liter horizontally opposed “Boxer” four-cylinder engine. This also puts down 178 pound-feet of torque. With the continuously variable transmission and Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, this engine will do the job of getting you around very well. The CVT does wind up before settling into a cruise. You can also enable X Mode for improved traction through the touchscreen.
In terms of fuel consumption, we experienced an average of 29.3 MPG.
The Crosstrek’s ride quality is very good. Even with the higher ground clearance at 8.7 inches, suspension travel is well-managed and absorbs the bumps and cracks on all sorts of roads. Cornering is good with nominal roll and lean. Maneuverability is also very good, which makes for good handling all around.
The smaller size does help in creating tight turns. We like how the steering is responsive with great on-center feel and weight. The brakes are absolutely great! The pedal feel is solid and responsive down to the calipers. We experienced very good stops in normal and panic situations.
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek lineup is available in five rim levels – from the base model to the off-road ready Wilderness. Pricing for the 2024 Crosstrek starts from $25,195. Our Sport tester came with a sticker price of $32,605. We should also state that this Crosstrek Sport was assembled at Subaru’s plant in Lafayette, Indiana.
There is no doubt that consumers are looking at the 2024 Crosstrek. Even those who are cross-shopping it with its rivals. These competitors include the Jeep Renegade and Compass, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and Eclipse Cross, Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda HR-V, Volkswagen Taos, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and Buick Encore GX.
Of the three 2024 Subaru Crosstreks we featured on our website, which one would you rather own? The Sport model offers its own personality by giving you more power and agility, while keeping its cool. Don’t let the yellow trimmings fool you, it is still a comfortable way to show off your active lifestyle.
Credits: CarSoup Editors
