If you want a small SUV that handles the school run, squeezes into supermarket car parks and tackles the occasional muddy campsite, the Subaru Crosstrek deserves a closer look.
It replaces the XV and follows the same formula: hatchback dimensions, extra ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive, but does it offer more capability than its rivals, or does Subaru claim high praise for the promise of adventure? Let’s find out.
An overview of the Aussie 2024 Subaru Crosstrek
You can refer to this five-seat AWD small SUV as a “soft-roader,” which replaced the long-running Subaru XV when it launched locally. Unlike the XV, it trades off straight-line speed and boot space to become a capable soft-roader.
You will find five core variants in the 2024 Crosstrek range, with each having a symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD), a Lineartronic CVT transmission, and 220 mm of ground clearance. These are split between 2.0L petrol and e-Boxer mild-hybrid powertrains, and here we have a petrol-only variant.
| Powertrain | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0-litre, four-cylinder boxer |
| Power | 115kW |
| Torque | 196Nm |
| Transmission | Continuously variable transmission (CVT) |
| Drivetrain | Symmetrical all-wheel drive |
Don’t expect explosive acceleration. The engine delivers a gentle increase in speed when you put your foot down, and it doesn’t have a turbocharger, either. However, the all-wheel-drive system gives you extra grip, particularly when you leave the bitumen.
What’s it actually like inside the cabin on a long drive?
Subaru carries a familiar interior layout across its range, and the Crosstrek follows that approach, and if you’ve driven a Forester, Outback or WRX, you’ll feel right at home. The highlight is the 11-inch central touchscreen, which runs Subaru’s Starlink software, and no, it has nothing to do with Elon Musk’s Starlink.
The touchscreen responds well and offers colourful graphics with large icons and easy-to-read menus. In fact, the graphics look a little like something you’d find on a child’s iPad.
You also get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but Subaru doesn’t offer native satellite navigation. So, unless you pair your phone, you’ll have to find your way around without built-in maps.
Physical controls are limited. The screen bezel houses buttons for temperature, audio volume and the front and rear demisters. Subaru keeps the climate controls permanently visible at the bottom of the touchscreen, which makes quick adjustments easier while driving, but some find the buried AC and auto-brake-hold touch controls non-ergonomic.
A wireless phone charger sits underneath. The lower console looks basic, with plenty of easy-to-clean plastic that feels a little plain, and you get two cup holders and a large centre console storage bin.
In front of the driver, a hybrid analogue-digital instrument cluster uses two large dials and a small central LED screen to display trip information.
Subaru also packs plenty of buttons onto the steering wheel. Paddle shifters sit behind it, although they don’t let you change actual gears because the Crosstrek uses a CVT. You can pretend, though!
The seats in this particular variant feature fabric upholstery and manual adjustment. The seating position feels relatively low, with generous headroom, but the raised vehicle height gives you excellent outward visibility.
The large wing mirrors help you see plenty around the car, while blind-spot monitoring adds another layer of assistance. Overall, the cabin should keep you comfortable on longer road trips.
The Crosstrek surprised me with its rear-seat room. This is a compact SUV, yet a 190cm-tall passenger can sit behind their own driving position with their knees only just touching the front seat.
Subaru also provides an armrest, cup holders and adjustable headrests, but there’s no USB charging outlet back here. So, if your kids regularly charge their devices during trips, they’ll need to plan ahead.
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Does it drive more like a city hatch or a proper bush basher?
The Crosstrek looks tougher than an ordinary hatchback, as Subaru adds protective cladding around the wheel arches to help guard the paintwork against stone chips. Roof racks add practicality, while the raised ride height gives it a more SUV-like stance.
If you want a relatively small vehicle for weekend escapes without stepping into a large SUV, the Crosstrek makes a compelling case.
Here’s where the Crosstrek separates itself from many ordinary small SUVs. Every Crosstrek sold in Australia comes with Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system as standard, and it gives the vehicle strong road grip and the confidence to tackle off-road conditions.
We’re not talking about extreme off-roading, but it can handle the sort of rough tracks and uneven terrain that most drivers, probably around 90% of them, will encounter.
Subaru also provides X-Mode for off-road driving, alongside the regular S and I drive modes controlled through the steering wheel. X-Mode adjusts how the vehicle delivers power and torque to the wheels to improve traction on loose surfaces, and it also includes hill descent control, which helps the car negotiate steep downhill sections without requiring you to apply the brakes.
Will your weekend camping gear or the weekly shopping run fit in the back?
The Crosstrek’s boot isn’t particularly large and is noticeably smaller than rivals like the Kia Seltos or Mazda CX-30. Think enough luggage for a weekend away rather than a week-long road trip, and you can fold the rear seats to expand the available cargo space when you need to carry larger items.
Braked towing is rated at 1,400 kg for petrol variants and 1,270 kg for hybrids, which is only good for light weekend gear, yard work and small recreational trailers.
Is Subaru’s safety tech a lifesaver or just annoying beeps?
The Crosstrek comes with a 5-star ANCAP safety rating and a generous range of safety equipment, much of which Subaru now offers across its model range. Its EyeSight system monitors your eyes to check whether you’re looking ahead, and if you take your eyes off the road for too long, the system issues an alert and displays a warning with an audible beep.
Thankfully, it doesn’t seem overly sensitive. You can glance left or right to check for approaching traffic without triggering unnecessary warnings.
Also read: 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross review
The verdict: What Cars24 Australia says?
A used 2024 Crosstrek makes sense if you want a comfortable, easy-to-drive small SUV for everyday use on a tighter budget, but don’t want to give up the ability to explore beyond sealed roads. Its all-wheel-drive system provides extra confidence, while X-Mode helps when you encounter gravel tracks and other challenging weekend driving conditions.
The naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine does its job, but don’t expect strong acceleration, and its CVT may also divide opinions. The engine, even the e-Boxer hybrid one, isn’t clearly fuel-efficient compared to the strong hybrids and PHEVs selling these days.
The biggest practical compromise is size. The compact body brings less boot space than larger SUVs, which could become frustrating if you regularly carry plenty of luggage.
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek competes against the AWD small SUVs: Toyota Corolla Cross, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. You can also cross-shop older models like the Subaru XV, Mazda CX-45, Toyota RAV4 AWD, and Suzuki Vitara AllGrip against the Crosstrek.
Would you choose the Subaru Crosstrek over its rivals? Let us know in the comments.
And explore more used Subaru models that are thoroughly inspected, have a clean background check, and are offered with a 30-day return policy.
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