Which Subaru Crosstrek is Best for You?

The Crosstrek is Subaru’s best-selling model and has been redesigned for 2024. It is arguably the best choice in the small crossover class. But of course, there is more than one Crosstrek, each of which has its own character. Motor1.com tested three of the five grades and found their favorite. Based on their findings, Subaru of Plano is here to help you decide which Crosstrek is best for you.

To review the basics, the Crosstrek is the crossover version of the Impreza hatchback. Like the Impreza, all models have refreshed styling for 2024, though it is still immediately recognizable as a Crosstrek. 

The Premium is Just That

Motor1 skipped the base model and looked at the Premium. This small step gains you the SUBARU STARLINK® system with an 11.6-inch touchscreen that includes wireless AppleCarPlay and Android Auto, so you don’t have to plug your phone in every time you want to listen to its music, use its nav system or other apps. You also get premium cloth seating, two more speakers for the audio system, 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability, roof rails, LED fog lights, keyless access and start, and additional interior illumination. It is quite a bit of additional kit for just $1,150 more for a total starting MSRP of $26,345.

The Premium is powered by a 2.0-liter Boxer-4, which produces 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque.  It is paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). In Motor1’s words: “…the base Crosstrek’s engine never feels underpowered. It still produces decent shove off the line and enough torque for easy passing at highway speeds.” 

The Premium’s 8.7-inch ground clearance, shared by all non-Wilderness models, is more generous than most crossovers in this class. Motor1 describes the cabin as quiet and the ride as refined. The 11.6-screen is easy to use, and in addition to the standard feature upgrades, you can add heated and power-adjustable seats and a power moonroof if you want to get fancy. 

Sport Steps Up in Power

The next step above the Premium is the Sport. The most significant upgrade on the Sport is the 2.5-liter boxer-4 engine. It adds 30 more horsepower for 182 and 33 more pounds per foot of torque for a total of 178. Visually, the wheels grow an inch to 18, with eye-catching neon yellow trim accents on the front and side. Inside, you will find small interior enhancements such as leather wrap for the steering wheel and shift knob and Sport stitched into the headrests. The value of the extra power will vary by person, but Motor1’s opinion was that the Sport didn’t quite make as good a case for itself for its almost $3,000 over the Premium, particularly in light of the last model they tested.

Crosstrek comes Out With the Wilderness

In Motor1’s opinion: “If you’re going to pay for more power, you might as well spring for the Wilderness model.” New for 2024, the Wilderness treatment on the Crosstrek has features similar to what you will see in both the Forester and Outback. The same 2.5-liter engine on the Sport, and the Forester and Outback, for that matter, powers this model. As the most off-road Crosstek, the ground clearance is raised to 9.3 inches, which Motor1 points out is: ”just a half inch shy of the Jeep Wrangler Sport.” This makes the Wilderness off-road capable enough that we can start talking about approach and departure angles, which are 20 and 33 degrees, respectively.  The figures Motor1 points out are: “genuinely excellent numbers when you look at the Crosstrek’s competition.” The Wilderness suspension is tuned for its off-road role, and the drive mode adds terrain-specific settings. 

The Wilderness adds more robust fender and lower body cladding to protect from the real wilderness’s twigs and branches that get a little too close on the trail. Less functional but more eye-catching are bright orange accents on the front and rear bumpers, side badging, and roof rack mounts. That roof rack is good for 175 pounds on the road and 700 pounds when parked if you want to put your tent, you, and a friend up there. It is also worth mentioning that the robust Wilderness can tow up to 3,500 pounds vs 1,500 pounds for the rest of the line. 

The Wilderness looks like a good deal with a starting price of $32,195. But then, if your objective is to always stay on the road, the Premium may be your choice. And if you appreciate more oomph from the go pedal, the Sport may be up your alley. You can’t lose with any of them, and Subaru of Plano invites you to sample them all.