The compact SUV market is on the rise. Most brands today are making one, and some of the most popular and coveted models are the usual suspects: the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, the Mazda CX-5, and the Ford Bronco. Brands like Toyota saw a massive increase in sales of one of their newer up-and-coming models from 2024 to 2025, the Toyota Corolla Cross, to the tune of a 7.3% increase, equaling just shy of 100,000 models sold. Thanks to its small, usable size and versatility, we can see why.
- Base Trim Engine
-
2.0L Flat 4 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
-
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
152 hp
- Base Trim Torque
-
145 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
- Fuel Economy
-
27/34 MPG
- Make
-
Subaru
- Model
-
Crosstrek
- Segment
-
Subcompact SUV
The SUV craze here in the U.S. is not showing any signs of slowing down at the moment, but more compact SUVs are being sold compared to the full-sized models that for so long had the limelight. This is why we are taking a look at the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, a compact SUV that sometimes does not get the recognition it deserves up against the market stalwarts. This 2024 Subaru Crosstrek buyer’s guide will lay out exactly what you should expect from buying one, how it stacks in terms of reliability, how much you are likely to pay for one, and what you can do with one.
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2024 Subaru Crosstrek: The Compact SUV Everyone Should Be Talking About
Models like the RAV4 have, for decades, been at the top of the game; this compact SUV has achieved more than most brands’ attempts at one, but things are changing. The market is now brimming with small, usable models that are taking the competition right to its door. The 2024 Crosstrek should be considered one of these models; it is easy to drive, affordable to buy and run, and very versatile from the get-go.
Today, a 2026 Subaru Crosstrek will cost you $26,995 at the base level, which, for a new SUV, is still very affordable. However, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is even cheaper, and still filled with tech and features that are as good as new. It is what a crossover/compact SUV should be.
Fresh Design, AWD Power, And Tech That Impresses In The Subaru Crosstrek 2024
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek was the launching model year of the third generation of the Crosstrek, and with it, brought a whole load of updates in the shape of a fresh exterior design, a stiffer chassis, a redesigned grille, new tech inside the cabin, better standard safety features, and, maybe most importantly for those of you living in wetter parts of the country, all-wheel drive as standard.
As we find with a lot of newer Subaru models, the 2024 Crosstrek has most things you need in one package at a low price. In the first year the third-gen Crosstrek was on sale in the U.S., according to Subaru, 159,193 models were sold; 181,811 models were sold in 2024, and 191,724 in 2025. In essence, they are selling very well.
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Dominates Its Class Today
According to J.D. Power, the 2024 Crosstrek has an overall rating of 85 out of 100. This includes a reliability rating of 83 out of 100 and a driving experience rating of 78 out of 100. The high praise doesn’t stop there; on Kelley Blue Book, owners have rated it 4 out of 5, and iSeeCars has rated it 8.1 out of 10 overall.
In comparison, the 2024 RAV4 has an overall score on J.D. Power of 79 out of 100; the 2024 Mazda CX-5 is rated 82 out of 100; the 2024 Hyundai Tucson is rated 81 out of 100, and the 2024 Volkswagen Taos gets 79 out of 100 overall. The third-gen Subaru Crosstrek made quite the impression when it was released, and it continues to do so today. It may not have the sales figures of the RAV4 compact SUV, which in 2025 sold just shy of 480,000 models, but that doesn’t mean the highly-rated and useful 2024 Crosstrek lineup shouldn’t be viewed the same way as the always revered RAV4.
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Bulletproof Reliability You Can Count On
Reliability of a vehicle is likely to be one of the most important aspects of buying an affordable small SUV, which can be used every day, and while Subaru may not typically be at the same dependable level as its Asian counterparts like Toyota, Lexus, Kia, and Hyundai, they are still a stellar marque, and the 2024 Crosstrek does exceptionally well.
iSeeCars rates the Crosstrek 2024 model 8 out of 10 for reliability, making it the most reliable 2024 compact SUV they monitor; owners on Kelley Blue Book rate it 4.6 out of 5 for reliability, and RepairPal rates it 4.5 out of 5 for reliability. From owner feedback alone, the 2024 Crosstrek is a remarkably reliable SUV to own.
Subaru Dependability That Just Keeps Going In The Crosstrek
According to the 2024 Initial Quality Survey, Subaru experienced 182 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). The market average in 2024 was 194 PP100; Ram was the brand with the lowest PP100, at 148 PP100, which put Subaru around the halfway mark for brands that came in with lower than the market average problems per 100 vehicles.
However, the 2024 Crosstrek does a lot better than Subaru’s perceived overall rate of problems. The reason it is so reliable? Because it rides on the Subaru Global Platform, which benefits from years of refinement, the previous generation’s CVT issues were addressed and fixed (stronger internals were added) for the 2024 MY, and the two boxer engine options are also refined, low-stress, famously trouble-free, and built for longevity.
In short, most aspects of the 2024 Crosstrek benefit from Subaru’s years of refining components instead of reinventing them. The 2024 Crosstrek is the 11th MY in the U.S., and shares the same boxer engine family as the first model year, but improved.
The 2024 Crosstrek also sits on an improved version of the Subaru Global Platform that was first used for the 2017 Crosstrek (second-generation) as a replacement for the older Impreza platform used for the first-gen Crosstrek models, and because all models of the Crosstrek 2024 model boast all-wheel drive, less stress is put on the drivetrain components to grab traction.
Long-Term Durability And Low Maintenance Costs For The Crosstrek 2024
While it may be too early to predict how long the 2024 Crosstrek will last into the future, things are already looking good for it. According to iSeeCars, the 2024 Crosstrek has a 24.5% chance of seeing at least 200,000 miles, and it has an estimated remaining life span (from time of writing) of 12.7 years compared to 10.8 years of the typical compact SUV. Its 12.7-year life span remainder also puts it right at the top of iSeeCars’s estimated typical lifespan of compact SUVs, so it doesn’t get much better in terms of longevity predictions.
CarEdge says that it will cost you, on average, $8,460 to maintain a Crosstrek over 10 years, and RepairPal echoes this sentiment, with their own estimated average annual repair cost of $492. This puts it around $30 cheaper to maintain each year compared to the average compact SUV, and $160 cheaper a year compared to the average modern vehicle.
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2024 Subaru Crosstrek Specs And Features That Actually Matter
If you want to buy a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, you aren’t just getting a well-priced compact SUV that will last the miles because it is stripped down and totally basic; you get a well-priced, reliable SUV that is packed full of gear made for comfortable everyday driving. There are five trims in the 2024 Crosstrek lineup: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and the new-for-2024 Wilderness.
All trims get Subaru’s Eyesight Driver Assist Technology, which includes dual forward-facing cameras, auto pre-collision braking, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, Lane Departure Warning, and Sway Warning. If you move up to higher trims, features like Blind-Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are also included.
Inside, the Crosstrek is designed to focus on usability rather than flashy gimmicks. The Base model boasts a dual 7-inch STARLINK touchscreen setup, while most other trims get an 11.6-inch STARLINK Multimedia Plus display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, multiple USB-C ports, and built-in navigation with what3words are standard fare, while higher trims again offer a little more refinement in the form of heated front seats, a wireless phone charger, leather-trimmed seats, and an available Harman Kardon audio rig.
Engine Punch, MPG, And AWD Grip Of The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek
The 2024 Crosstrek is available with two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine or a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine. All models in the lineup are paired with an eight-speed Lineartronic CVT, and all models are equipped with all-wheel drive as standard.
|
Spec |
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Base/Premium |
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport/Limited/Wilderness |
|---|---|---|
|
Engine |
2.0-Liter DOHC Flat-Four |
2.5-Liter DOHC Flat-Four |
|
Horsepower |
152 Horsepower |
182 Horsepower |
|
Torque |
145 LB-FT |
178 LB-FT |
Horsepower outputs from either engine are not especially powerful, but that isn’t the name of the game for the Crosstrek; low-stress everyday ease is. According to FuelEconomy.gov, even with Symmetrical AWD fitted, the Crosstrek is a reasonably fuel-efficient compact SUV to own. For the most part, regardless of whether you opt for the 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter-equipped model, the Crosstrek can achieve 29 combined mpg. For the 2.0-liter-equipped models, that equates to 27 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, while the 2.5-liter models do ever so slightly worse at 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, but it is negligible.
FuelEconomy.gov estimates that it will cost you approximately $1,500 a year to fill up most Crosstrek models, which makes it cheaper by $250 over five years compared to the average modern vehicle. However, the top-trim Wilderness is slightly different; FuelEconomy.gov says that it can only achieve 27 combined mpg (25 mpg city/29 mpg highway), and will cost you $1,600 a year to fuel. It still comes equipped with the same 2.5-liter boxer engine, so why the difference?
Everything You Need To Know About The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness is the top trim for the 2024 lineup and is by far the most rugged option. The simple reason why the Crosstrek Wilderness uses more fuel is that it boasts more in the way of off-roading gear and is heavier. The Wilderness trim tips the scales at 3,463 pounds, while the Base and Premium weigh 3,283 pounds, and the Limited and Sport weigh 3,351 pounds.
The Wilderness isn’t just another trim with tougher-looking plastics, though; it is a legit trail machine. Compared to the other Wilderness trims, it gets a suspension lift that increases ground clearance to 9.3 inches, along with better approach, breakover, and departure angles. It also rides on 17-inch wheels originally wrapped in Yokohama Geolander A/T tires, and a front skid plate underneath helps to protect the underside when you are crawling over rocks.
Where the Wilderness really separates itself from the pack, though, is in its drivetrain tuning. While all Crosstrek models utilize the same Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system paired with a CVT, the Wilderness gets a retuned CVT and shorter 4.111 final-drive ratio, compared to the 3.700 ratio found in the other trims. The short gearing sends torque to the wheels more aggressively, which in turn means better low-speed climbing, throttle response on trails, and traction up steep hills. Subaru also fitted an external transmission cooler for the Wilderness, which means you can tow up to 3,500 pounds behind it, compared to the 1,500-pound rating for the other Crosstrek trims.
You also get a good amount of off-road tech in the Wilderness. It boasts Subaru’s dual-function X-Mode, which adjusts throttle mapping and torque distribution to suit what you are driving on. One mode is tuned for snow and slippery surfaces, while the Deep Snow and Mud mode allows for more wheel slip to help you claw through sand or rutted trails. When X-Mode is activated, Hill Descent Control also automatically manages braking on steep declines, so you can just concentrate on steering.
Subaru has also added some very practical touches to hit home that the Wilderness trim is the option for the more adventurous. You get heavy-duty roof rails rated to carry 700 pounds when you’re parked; easy-to-clean StarTex water-repellent upholstery is utilized inside, and you still get the 11.6-inch STARLINK touchscreen and all the wireless phone connectivity that comes with the lower trims.
“Naturally, the Crosstrek Wilderness employs Subaru’s outstanding all-wheel drive system, which, in this case, is supplemented by Subaru’s X-Mode. This enabled me to adapt the powertrain’s transmission, throttle, and torque distribution calibrations to suit the various types of terrain I encountered. The X-Mode also introduced hill descent control, which could limit the Crosstrek’s speed to 12 miles per hour on steep downhill sections without any input from me—once it was activated and set.”
Top Speed 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Driven Review by Lyndon Conrad Bell
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Subaru Crosstrek: Value, Practicality, And Smart Ownership
The inaugural model year of the third-gen Crosstrek has something for everyone. Whether you want the most basic setup and a reasonably efficient engine, or you want a hardy little SUV that likes the rough stuff, the 2024 Crosstrek lineup looks to have you covered. So, how much does a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek cost in 2026?
As we have seen with the newest Crosstrek lineup, prices are well within the affordable ballpark; the 2024 Crosstrek was also affordable when it was released, with an original MSRP of $26,540. Today, thanks to depreciation in a crowded market today, though, the 2024 lineup is even cheaper and still offers a lot of bang for your buck. 2026 average used prices for the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek lineup are as follows:
- 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Base. Average Used Price: $21,900.
- 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium. Average Used Price: $24,100.
- 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport. Average Used Price: $25,100.
- 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Limited. Average Used Price: $25,800.
- 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness. Average Used Price: $27,400.
Why The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Is A Smart Buy For Everyday Drivers
What makes the 2024 Crosstrek a handy compact SUV to own is that it blends everything you could realistically ask for from a compact SUV priced below $30,000. It comes equipped with all the interior tech and features you’d expect in a modern vehicle; it is relatively cheap to run and maintain; it is available in multiple trims, with one trim being very useful for adventuring; you can tow a reasonable amount in it, and it is small and compliant enough to drive around every day without any problems.
The 2024 Crosstrek only measures in at 176.4 inches in length by 63.4 inches in width by 63.6 inches in height (with roof rails attached), and rides on a 105.1-inch wheelbase. It is effectively the size of a modern hatchback. However, despite its compact size, it is still capable of carrying up to 54.7 cubic feet of stuff around with the seats folded down, and boasts ample enough room for you and passengers.
|
Headroom |
Shoulder Room |
Hip Room |
Legroom |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Front / Rear |
39.8 Inches / 38 Inches |
56.8 Inches / 55.3 Inches |
55.1 Inches / 53.2 Inches |
42.9 Inches / 36.5 Inches |
If we have a couple of qualms about the 2024 Crosstrek, it is that it is reportedly slow to 60 mph, with sprint times clocked between the high seven seconds and nine seconds, and that there is no hybrid engine option available for it. Considering that most other brands roll out compact SUVs with hybrid powertrains today, it raises a question of why, with the release of the 2024 Crosstrek as the first MY of the third generation, Subaru didn’t add a hybrid engine to the lineup.
If you are looking for slightly purer, naturally aspirated engines which offer a decent amount of grunt for its affordable class and a stable, planted feel, then the 2024 Crosstrek is well worth the money, but if you want hybrid motivation from a Crosstrek, you will have to opt for the 2026 lineup, which has hybrid engines available for the new Sport and Limited trims.
Despite the lack of hybrid engine choices, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek gets a lot of simple things right. Current owners seem very pleased with it, with 77% of owners who left a review on Kelley Blue Book recommending it; it is very versatile for everyday driving; it can be very fuel-efficient for its class and lack of motors, and with a CarEdge value rating of “A,” it takes on the most popular compact SUV models on the market for ownership costs.
Sources: Subaru, J.D. Power, CarEdge, Kelley Blue Book, FuelEconomy.gov, RepairPal, and iSeeCars.