Of the hundreds of cars on the market in North America these days, there are a few---a relative handful---that need to be exceptionally careful about what changes they make in their mid-cycle refreshes or their introduction of an all-new next generation. Too many changes and they risk messing with something that doesn't need it, too few and they risk their vehicle getting left behind as technology advances.
Those are the vehicles that are crushing it in terms of delivering what that type of machine is supposed to be and do---and the Subaru Crosstrek is absolutely one of them. I said as much in my last review of one a a little less than three years ago, and I'm happy to report that Subaru has observed the first commandment of updating a beloved vehicle: Don't screw it up.
The styling is more a refinement of the '23 than anything else. A frameless grille, smaller headlights, a broader stance and some sculpturing of the sheetmetal to give it a bit more muscular appearance.
Under the hood of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, you'll still find the venerable and faithful 2.0-liter BOXER engine with direct injection. Still 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque (Crosstrek Sport models get 30 more horsepower from a 2.5-liter). Zero to 60 is in the ten-second range, but nobody's buying Subarus for their ability to win stoplight drag races. EPA fuel economy is a much more relevant statistic here, and that's 27 city/34 highway/29 combined.
The functional changes include a ten percent stiffer chassis, a standard CVT (the downer---no more manual transmission), the dual-pinion electronic steering rack from the performance-oriented WRX is now in all Crosstreks, and EyeSight Driver Assist technology is standard across the line, with Automatic Emergency Braking included on models that are equipped with Blind Spot Detection with Lane Keep Assist and rear cross-traffic alert.
Our tester was the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium. Base price, including destination, $27,490. Standard at that price are, of course, all-wheel drive, as well as active torque vectoring, automatic start/stop, dark tint privacy glass, dual-zone automatic climate control, steering-responsive LED headlights, X-Mode with hill descent control. This are standard on all Crosstrek trims.
The Crosstrek Premium adds an upgraded CVT with 8-speed manual shift mode and shift paddles, 17-inch alloy wheels, auto up/down on all windows, an upgraded digital driver cluster, keyless access with pushbutton start, LED fog lights, roof rails, rear seat armrest with dual cup-holders and the 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system with six speakers.
Extra-cost options were bundled into one package, combining the all-weather package (heated front seats, mirrors and windshield), Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and a power moonroof for $2,245.
So the bottom line of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium is $29,685.
And yeah, that means with tax and license, you'll be over 30 grand instead of under it, but not by a lot. And that's a compelling price point for a vehicle as capable, economical and well equipped as the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium.
