We’ve been spending a week with the redesigned Subaru Crosstrek to see how it handles the city, interstate, curvy mountain roads, and light off-roading trails. Now we have a lot to process! But while the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Limited is loaded, it leaves us wanting more. 

2024 Subaru Crosstrek: What’s new? 

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek kicks off the third generation with updated styling. It has a new grille, revised bumpers, redesigned headlights, new taillights, and boxy cladding for a more confident look. 

It’s still the same size as before, but that’s fine. It has an award-winning recipe as the fastest-selling Subaru SUV. Plus, it gained an 11.3-inch touchscreen, advanced safety tech, X-Mode off-roading features, 

The 2024 Crosstrek has the same carry-over engines, but the updated suspension has a 10% stiffer structure for a more comfortable ride and direct steering. It is noticeably smooth on the pavement. Plus, the Crosstrek Wilderness Edition made its debut. 

What comes with the 2024 Crosstrek Limited?  

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Limited features 18-inch dark grey alloy wheels, all-season tires, leather-trimmed upholstery with grey and black fabric, a leather-wrapped steering wheel/gear shifter, orange accent stitching, a moon roof, and a wireless charging pad. 

You also get an automatic start and stop, keyless entry, push-button start, roof rails, upgraded LED headlights, adaptive high beams, a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated seats/mirrors/wipers, gloss black exterior trim, and simulated carbon-fiber trim. 

The Crosstrek Limited wraps things up with USB A and USB C ports in each row, dual-zone climate control, SI-Drive engine performance driving modes, and dual-function X-Mode with hill descent control. 

Standard safety features include eyesight driver assist, adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, blind spot warning, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. 

Our tester with built-in navigation and the Harmon Kardon audio system has an MSRP of $30,895. That’s a lot of goodies for this price. Plus, each model comes with standard AWD, making it a bargain! But don’t forget to add the $1,295 destination fee. 

How does the 2024 Crosstrek drive? 

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek has a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims, like the Limited, feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. 

It has adequate power for the class, but it’s not thrilling. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.4 seconds. This is fine for running errands and commuting. There’s a slight delay under harder accelerations, but other than that the 8-speed automatic transmission is very smooth. 

The steering is very light, so it takes a little getting used to, and the breaks could be stronger. The 17.39-foot turning radius is extremely convenient. The Crosstrek is easy to whip around in tight downtown city areas. It’s one of the easiest things we’ve ever parallel parked. 

It seems to glide over the pavement, unbothered by potholes and imperfections. But it feels light, and the Mazda CX-5 felt more confident in stormy conditions. Also, while off-roading, larger impacts are quickly settled, and gravel roads provide a consistent rattling. 

The tires feel connected to the road with a confident grip, and there’s virtually no body lean around tight curves. The interior is pretty quiet until you reach highway speeds for a peaceful ride. However, the engine can be distracting at times with a loud, deep wheeze. 

You can spice things up with the Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-DRIVE) automatic engine management system. The Intelligent (I) mode is a little more relaxed and comfortable, but the Sport (S) mode has faster response times. 

Ideally, we would like a little more power, more responsive brakes, a 360-degree camera display, a quieter engine, and faster transmission response. 

Does the 2024 Crosstrek Limited have a comfortable interior?

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek interior is attractive, upscale, and comfortable enough. The two-tone black and grey upholstery draws the eye, and the orange accent stitching helps things pop. 

You get extra confidence with the simulated carbon trim and metal accents. The plastic-covered surfaces are textured to prevent feeling cheap. But the moonroof is pretty small, and there’s no ambient lighting. 

The seats are massive and well-padded, but they’re a little stiff. The bottom cushion is noticeably unforgiving on longer drives. The side bolstering is sporty, but you’ll find yourself bouncing on off-roading trails.

If you need physical controls, the 11.3-inch touchscreen might let you down. The menus are intuitive, and the system is responsive, but it looks a little dated. We enjoy seeing the driving modes, weather, and fluid temperatures across the top, though. 

The digital guage cluster feels pretty basic, but it does show you your fuel economy, how many miles of gas you have left, and your radio station. 

Watch out for blind spots! Visibility is excellent out of the front but is limited toward the rear. The backup camera could benefit from more resolution. 

Overall, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Limited is a premium SUV that includes a lot for the price. It’s comfortable and capable without breaking the bank. It’s well-rounded but doesn’t seem to push the envelope in any particular direction. Stay tuned for our full review as we continue processing our thoughts.