The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Is An Affordable Mini Outback 

A quick note on ground clearance. That 9.5" for the Outback and that 9.2" for the Forester are only on the Wilderness trim levels. All other trim level ground clearances on both models is 8.7"

OMG. PHYSICAL SWITCHES FOR THE SEAT HEATERS!! Amazing.

16:11 I like how Brian is talking about the ride quality on washboard while Alex smiles and speeds up, making it sound as if the car is falling apart😂

Alex, As I understand it, you can opt out of the mandatory Labrador requirement 4:08 if you are wearing sandals over socks while placing your Crosstrek order. 😉 BTW a genuine Levorg wagon would do a much better job of being a 'mini Outback'.

The Crosstrek with the 2.5 liter makes sense to me only if you must have a Crosstrek body style, but can't abide the weaker 2.0 liter engine (which is an absolute dog in any high elevation states). But for anyone who is not married to the body style of a Crosstrek, then for my money the Forester makes so much more sense. For roughly one or two grand more than a Crosstrek Sport or Limited (which come with the optional 2.5 liter), you can get a similarly equipped Forester and the 2.5 liter engine is standard. Also, the Forester is not much larger on the outside. So urban parking should not be that much harder to do than with the already-long Crosstrek. In exchange, the Forester is SO MUCH roomier on the inside. The middle seat in the rear bench of the Forester is a little more usable.

Yesterday I had someone offer me (out of the clear blue) $30k for my Standard Transmission 2023 Crosstrek Premium; they where shocked when I told them I was NOT in the slightest bit interested. The 2024 model looks nice, its a shame that the Standard Transmission option is no longer going to be there.

Brian rocking the Transitions 😂

The Dynamic Duo. Love these videos fellas.

Just got a 2023 limited and love it! Love the analog HVAC controls :P

I wish the whole lineup was made in Japan, or at least I wish the higher trims were made in Japan. For such a large vehicle, the 2.5L really should be the standard engine and we really need a turbo option and a strong hybrid option. With the Crosstrek being Subaru's best selling car, I don't think these things are too much to ask for. Oh and for the love of God bring back physical climate controls Subaru.

Alex, I think you hit the nail on the head - Subaru definitely works to mask the relative lack of power (well, and torque) with some interesting throttle mapping. This is fine because you can scoot around town with relative ease, but there's actually very little left with extra pedal travel and ultimately the base Impreza and Crosstreks are pretty poky.

I really hope they bring the manual option in the coming years. Just makes me want to hold on to my '16 for even longer.

Odd that the new generation Premium trim gets a plastic steering wheel and the larger touchscreen. My 2018 has a leather wheel and the smaller screen.

I do like the pairing of both you together in videos. Granted, I also like your individual videos, but I am glad to see that it doesn't change whenever you are both in the same review

Labrador joke was hilarious!

I bought one of these for my daughter for graduation. It is a GREAT little car. I got the Premium trim and it is full of neat features. The center console display is huge! It's really fun to drive especially in sport mode with the paddle shifters.

Don’t forget the Mazda CX-30! More power than both Crosstrek engines (191hp), standard AWD, and the same 29mpg combined with a normal 6spd automatic.

I would definitely buy the Corolla Cross hybrid before this Crosstrek any day of the week, month or year.

The assistant is there to GO DOWN as he said and highlighted.

Brian’s got to make sure that seat belt gets away from his microphone! And that horn sounded so weak! 😂

Lol the "it's actually pretty comfortable" at 15:17 when he is about to plop right into a hard divet in the ground, but there is a convenient cut scene right before impact 🤣🤣

I love the music cued up on the infotainment screen. Target market for Subaru.

I honestly didn't expect the next gen Crosstrek Media "first drive" event until May.

Thanks Alex, nice review as always! Would appreciate your opinion on best location for a dash cam as the usual place behind the rear mirror is now occupied by additional (3rd) eyesight camera.

Having owned a 2019 with the 2.0 Liter and now a 2020 with the 2.5 Liter, I can definitely say I would never buy the 2.0L again. Yes, we gave up about 2 mpg in real world driving, but the 2.5L can pass with ease and has more than adequate power, and especially, torque. NOT SO for the 2.0L...merging on highways was stressful! Our 2020 is coming off-lease this fall and I totally expect to get a 2024 Limited then...

Hello Alex, I really love your contents. Always give us great information that no other channel will deliver, that crucial for decision making with putting yourself into every row and even cargo space to really tell us actual practicality of the vehicle to us every time. And you always include power train to trans, and unique feature of the vehicles in good pace. I think You are #1 car reviewer in my opinion!! and then...Just one thing I want ask to Brian my favor. The way you speak some words very quickly quite often, that makes your video not so enjoyable... because I just cannot engage to Brian's explanations very well for me. I think you are very knowledgeable as Alex, but.... I just wanted to share my opinion... for may be just for me... Thanks✌

Great video, very informative ! thank you.

I really think the outgoing generation is better than the new one.

I'm glad that Subaru didn't change too much of their formula from the previous one. My only complaint with my current Crosstrek is the rear middle seat 8:43. If you want 3 people in the back you better hope that one of them doesn't have legs.

Is the cd player gone? No heated steering wheel option?

Are there rear AC vents? How about dual front seat AC control?

This just now caught eye and it looks awfully nice! I'm no off-roader, but from this and other videos of this car, it would be a great daily driver on city streets and the freeway! And the price is amazing!

Hey Alex, The rear center shoulder belt can be disconnected at the buckle, and it retracts almost completely into the pillar where it's anchored. So, it's an issue only when you have a rear center seat passenger (which for me is almost never).

I'm guessing the 2.0 engine will be more reliable since its built in Japan compared to the 2.5 which is built in U.S.

I'm 6' 2", so the Crosstrek is a little too small for me. I wound up getting the Forester Wilderness. It's a comfortable fit, it has 9.2" of ground clearance and the interior space in the back is much larger. It also sits higher off the ground, so getting in and out is much easier than the Crosstrek, or even the Outback.

What about the problem of engine stall outs while on highway?

I love the comedic timing! With respect to my other favorite reviewers, this is a game changer!

Thanks for your excellent reviews! I'm actually looking between the Toyota Cross and this. I am way way way over the average demographic for this at 75. But often find myself on roads a little like you show. My Corgi wasn't amused by your reference to Labs, but I was. This looks very nice and one thing you did not mention is the wait time. I think the wait time on the Subaru is around 1 month (at least here in Albuquerque) whereas Toyota has insane wait times. But going out and driving a new car the same day seems to be a thing of the past.

The rattling on the off-road drive reminds me of how the interior is going to sound after 2-3 years lmao

I like that the new one is quieter, and reportedly has better seats, but prefer the previous model's use of a "just right" sized screen for back up camera and radio, with big buttons and knobs for climate control.

I think SUV with short length should have fold flat front passenger seat, such as the current gen Chevrolet Trax & Trailblazer. It dramatically increased its practicality!

Looks like a fun day out in the desert! It's nice looking vehicle. I like that bright red paint, the standard LED headlights, and the alloys. I'm not a fan of the chunky unpainted black plastic cladding, which tends to look faded and hideous after a few years without extra care. I like the excellent ground clearance, but it looks like a lifted hatchback rather than an SUV and has a lower seating position than some of the competition. The archaic Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has a lot more interior room, especially headroom and cargo room. It's also got a very respectable 8.5 inches of ground clearance, a higher seating position, and looks more like an SUV. The Mitsubishi AWD system is just as capable and it has the advantage of manually selectable modes, allowing FWD-only for better efficiency, full-time AWD, or automatic mode that switches between the two based on wheel slippage. It's also got a much better warranty and an excellent reliability track record. The Crosstrek's has a nicer interior though.

Another great review Alex and Brian! Crosstrek are just plain fun!

I personally think this is the best Crosstrek they have created I mean it is so sharp I love all the angles and the lights look amazing

I was reading that the American built 2.5 will not be shared with Canada. The Canadian market will receive the 2.5 from Japan.

A couple questions: 1) is the road noise and engine noise quieter? 2) is the engine dedicated Direct Injection?

I'd like to buy one but we had too many serious problems with our Impreza.

The smaller foot area due to transmission makes your foot cramp on long trips. This is true for most Subarus…

It's a nicely done car, but I feel like a lower trim Forrester is still a better overall value. Too bad the stick-shift option is gone, but even the previous versions relegated it to base trims.

Are CV transmissions reliable?

The Labrador comment was funny. My nearest Subaru dealer (the newest dealer in my area) has a small dog park near the front of the building. I definitely didn't see that at any other dealer I stopped at.

how reliable long term do you feel about these CVT's? Does anyone have any experience with these CVT's long term? Long term to me is double that of the factory warranty so about ten years at least. 2 of my cars are 23 yrs old and on their original trans, only done fluid maintenance on them and they're fine today. Another one is 15 years old and have done just fine. I ask because I keep seeing comments about how bad these cone and belt cvt's are, but I was hoping to find someone who actually has had them for long enough to tell me personal experience. I know RAv's are a little different with the ecvt that are mechanically driven that have had no issues, but I'm cross shopping possible Foresters, Rav's, Crosstreks, etc.

Not a fan of the big screen and the E parking brake. I like the 2018-2023 Crosstrek better.

Speaking of sub-compact crossover, whatever happened to the Corolla Cross hybrid? Has it even gone on sale in the US market?

Great video! But I do have a question. At 5:35 all models (2.0 and 2.5 engine) will get the same fuel economy?? Usually a 2.5 engine gets less MPG. Is the fuel tank in the 2.5 larger? and would you know the size of the fuel tanks for both?

Subaru take note, late in 2012 bought my first CX5 was a 2013 model only engine available was 2 liter was way under powered. Traded it in for a 2019 with the 2.5 made a world of difference

I always loved that Subarus defaulted to 60/40 power front/rear. What’s the new split?

This is my only Subaru I wanna buy it Alex.

Alex, can you explain why a shorter engine (4 cylinder boxer vs inline 4 cylinder) results in the engine being further forward? I don't quite get this. Thanks for the very excellent video with Brian - some of your best work IMHO 🙂

It's funny that you say that it's targeted towards a younger active demographic. I beg to differ. Here in northern New England, Veemont, New Hampshire and Maine, a hugh portion of the Crosstrek population is active empty nesters and seniors. It's the perfect size/height for mounting kayaks and MT bikes especially for active older folks with mobility issues. Also for great for dog owners and a couple of grandchildren. Us seasoned customers also love the practicality and affordability. Love your reviews Alex!

Love the colour, look and features of this vehicle! 🎉

Needs a manual.

Subaru's obsession with cladding is ridiculous.

I wish the plug-in version had a longer electric-only range. 17 miles is just too low.

How is the body roll in this SUV? With the lower center of gravity, does it handle more like a car?

The Crosstrek is still the better looking one IMO in this segment. The all wheel drive is amazing. I had a 2014 hybrid and now have a 2018 and these are just soooo capable on snow, it’s almost as if there wasn’t any.

What’s better overall this or Mazda cx30?

Always a great and thorough review. Thanks. What was that colour, Pure Red?

The outgoing model flunked the Insurance Institute's new-for-2023 heavier-vehicle side impact test pretty badly, even as some other smallish cars like the Honda Civic and Acura Integra came through pretty well. Does the new Crosstrek sort that out?

Alex, thank you for your videos. Based on your review of Subarus I just purchased an Ascent and LOVE it. Once I am ready for something smaller I will definitely be looking into the Crosstrek

Previous interior looked better . This one looks odd / mismatched.

I'm probably going to end up deciding between the Crosstrek and the Mazda cx-30. Which would you choose?

Would co solder it, but the fact that it will be constructed at a new plant means it’s a good idea to wait a year

I hope the trunk a little bigger is better

I enjoyed Alex's reference to the Labrador requirement for future Impreza owners. I think you'll find, however, that most of the canine passengers in Subaru commercials are Golden Retrievers, not Labs. My own Golden takes offense at being confused with his short-haired Lab cousins. And he enjoys riding around in his Lexus RX.

“I’ll take the Crosstrek Premium with the Labrador package please.”

Never had a Subaru but love this. How's the reliability? I'm looking to get a new/newer car soon and have been leaning towards Toyota

Why is there two of them. Is the other Alex Jr. The son of the original Alex ?

Took advantage of low 4.9% financing on existing 2023 dealer lot inventory in February. Scored a rare 2.5L Limited w/o the sunroof and nav option for $500 under msrp. The 2024’s are probably going to have crazy high interest rates.

The infotainment screen doesn’t look sharp and bright. That’s my only complaint

Doesn't the HRV have more HP and still get 0-60 two seconds slower?

Our chevy camaro was involved in a total loss accident. Purchased a premium crosstrek that the dealer already had on order, should be here in Sept. No power seat and heated seat😪, but needed a car quicker.

If the Crosstrek had 8-way power seats in the Limited trim instead of 6-way I'd own one right now. I'm 6' 3" with long legs and I need that front of a car's seat to tip up to get more thigh support and a bit more legroom. I don't know why they even put a power seat in a car if it can't adjust more in range than a 6-way manual seat would.

So sad the manual is gone… Just bought a brand new 23 manual and it makes the engine sound so happy and thrummy, cvt just makes it groan and sound awful and not fun to drive. Glad I picked it up before I couldn’t get one anymore, will keep it forever I guess. Just moved to Colorado and it is great in the snow with the full time 4wd unlike the cvt!

So is this a deviation from the symmetrical AWD Subaru has had for a while? I think I heard Alex say most of the power goes to the front wheels. I thought it was equal distribution in Subaru AWD.

Alternative? Maxda CX-30. Excellent and underrated.

I wonder why Subaru hasn’t offered their 1.8 Turbo in the US for the Crosstrek & Forester?

Will my Newfoundland fit?

Great video as always, cant wait til you have it at home

Thanks for doing this video, Brian is a nice addition. Your videos are always comprehensive and informative. If only Subaru would give the option of a double din radio and a stick. And a turbo. If they're going to stick with a CVT (which is fine, I guess...) Why not get rid of the shifter? A few buttons and paddles is all that's needed. These are narrow cars, the more console space the better. Anyway, I ramble. For anyone new to Subaru, the Crosstrek is a great car, I've owned one for ten years and love it. Yes, it's the 2.0 CVT. We've driven it in 9 different countries including on the German Autobahn in excess of 100mph. Fantastic car with minimal maintenance necessary.

Subaru halted production prematurely to produce the 2024 models early. They cut costs by switching over to structural adhesives instead of welding metal parts of the chassis together. It sounds very sketchy to me. I tried to purchase a 2023 recently, and they wanted to gouge out both my eyes to sell that car. Also mechanical experts on youtube say the hoses and parts that require connections are sealed together with a glob of silicon instead of real gaskets that normally join most parts together. So in a few years the silicon dries out and you have all kinds of leaks all over the engine.

I'm disappointed there is no hybrid option here.

I am sad that there will no longer be a standard transmission option for Subaru.

Why does it cost the same as a larger forester?

I'd pay extra to delete some of that front end cladding, along with the weirdly-shaped fender cladding. While I'm interested in possibly buying a Crosstrek, I prefer the uncladded look of the '24 Impreza (especially the RS).

I just purchased a 2023 Outback Touring XT a few months ago (my 3rd Subie) and I mostly love it, especially the overall comfort and high end features, but it feels a bit too large on the road for my tastes. I also really wanted the turbo engine, but I kind of wish I'd waited for the 2024 Crosstrek Limited or even the next gen Forester Touring. Even though I'd have to sacrifice the turbo, I'd have saved thousands and the 2.5 is adequate power, if not thrilling. Excellent review, gents!

2024 is really a minor refresh and not a new generation.

Sofyan is not going to like the sound of that horn. 🙂. Like seeing you two on the same video, good work.

No PHEV version of this car?

One number I never hear about much, is the *height* of the rear hatch area. 30" is the minimum I would be looking for, since that's the height of a typical large sized dog crate. Anything less is just a swoopy, good-looking wagon-like vehicle that's not as practical as the body style promises.