Proof that Love is Out There: The 2024 Subaru CrossTrek Sport AWD SUV
Teia Collier
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In the right car, the world is your oyster.
The space where capability and durability meet is where this edition of the 2024 Subaru CrossTrek Sport shines. Equipped with a more powerful engine, improved driver assistance and functional details like wide opening rear doors for easier access for pups or kids and their car seats, useful roof rails and removable all-weather floor mats make the 2024 CrossTrek Sport ideal for going wherever the road leads and enjoying the journey.
Related: Subaru Crosstrek Sport Compact SUV Review: Turns Out the Price of Confidence is Affordable
This is the Subaru Crosstrek’s natural habitat. Photo: Teia Collier
Meet the Next Generation of Love
We met the new 2.5L CrossTrek Sport and 2.5L CrossTrek Limited in Woodstock, a small town in upstate New York where the terrain is gorgeous and dynamic. It provided the perfect environment to discover how its new engine and safety features handle under a variety of conditions, to learn how the vehicle adapts to everyday adventures and to accidentally meet real-life Subaru owners in the wild.
A side view of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. Photo: Teia Collier
In the coffee shop, grocery and around the corner from the candle shop in the cutest downtown I’d seen in a minute, I met owners who were happy to tell me about their Subaru.They shared about their lives, adventures on quiet mountains and rescuing pets from harrowing situations in their vehicles. I left Bread Alone thinking just how happy these people were that they made their purchase – years ago. It also made me even more curious to drive the latest generation of the vehicle that happens to be celebrating its 11th birthday and rolling into its 3rd rendition.
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Peace of Mind and Versatile Power Come Standard…
Signature nature-inspired looks run headlong into the strength of industrial tech at first look. Then you start to dig into the vehicle. Inside, I found that the 2024 CrossTrek Sport is well equipped from the factory with a comprehensive safety, hardware updates and a connected services system that includes a vehicle health report, automatic collision notification, remote lock/unlock and a slew of engine upgrades to create a more efficient experience that is meant to last and perform well for years.
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek AWD SUV. Photo: Subaru
Leaning more to the functional rather than the precious, the CrossTrek is designed for use. Just like the drivers that I met earlier in the day, the vehicle is tailored to those that want to get outside, bring their pets and would happily say yes to the adventure – but want to do it safely.
Related: The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness Will Leave You Feeling Rugged, Wild and Free
The newly designed dashboard and front cabin in the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. Photo: Subaru
A New Dashboard and Functions for a Modern Look and Feel
All of the driver functions are intuitively placed and within easy reach in the 11.6’’ touchscreen in the center console or are accessible through push buttons on the steering wheel. The expanded driver safety and assistance suite adds a layer of confidence to the journey. All wheel drive, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and the emergency steering assist wrapped into Subaru’s EyeSight safety system make uneven terrain and unexpected obstacles a breeze, even without a front camera. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised that the clear rear camera system and touch button drive modes kept the process simple and uncomplicated.
I also enjoyed that Apple CarPlay connected wirelessly and through the chord with ease. While there was a wireless charging pad, there were also USB-A and USB-C ports in the front that I simply plugged in and went along with my journey.
Related: 5 Reasons I Love My Subaru Forester
The new rear lights on the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. Photo: Teia Collier
Love Language is Standard, Too
During our test drive, we trekked up the Plattekill mountain in search of the ski hill turned off-road course. The Crosstrek now delivers an improved 182 hp and 178 lb.- ft of torque, which provided the needed gumption and came in super handy as we climbed the hills and traveled dirt roads.
While en route to the course, the 8.7-inches of ground clearance was extremely helpful, but other thoughtful details began to show themselves and reminded me that Subaru knows its fan base. I began to see why the near cult-fandom is real and well-deserved. The more I drove (and rode) the more I saw it and realized that Subaru knows its customers love languages.
Things like a quiet, sound dampened drive, comfortable seating with hip and lumbar support reinforced by steel to reduce fatigue and the adjusted C-pillars that allow for clear sight from the second row for kids and pets started to compound to tell a love-love story. Team that with the new aluminum fenders for a lighter vehicle and more fuel efficient drive and the sweet removable, wipeable mats with a mountain range embossed on it to echo their love of nature and 60/40 second row seats that laid flat to provide unimpeded space for the gear of life had me nodding my head in understanding.
The cargo area of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. Photo: Subaru
Who Will Love This Car …
- Outdoor enthusiasts with gear to carry
- Those who need a great first car
- Urban professionals who moonlight as weekend adventure warriors
- The young family with the middle name “adventure”
- Grandparents in need of a value-conscious vehicle that is versatile for DIY, gardening or mud season
The rear seats in two-tone quilted upholstery in the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. Photo: Subaru
What You Need to Know
The buzz is real. The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek versatile and thoughtfully designed with safety, function and life-integration in mind. Repeatedly an IIHS Top Safety Pick, the CrossTrek is a very compelling offer at less than $31k in the Limited trim and around $29k in the Sport.
Later this year, the latest generation of the CrossTrek Wilderness will come to market and will be priced just a smidge higher, though dressed in a bit more luxurious style. But as with the Sport and Limited models, love language will no doubt be standard, too.
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Disclosure: I was a guest of Subaru for this test drive. Travel and accommodations were provided but all opinions are my own.
We were encouraged to get dirty. Photo: Teia Collier
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