Volvo Introduces the 2025 EX30
Volvo’s 2025 EX30 might just be the bite-size electric crossover that catapults Volvo’s sales into new territory. In addition to a trove of pictures and details, we also have the [...]
The formula that made Subaru’s Outback such a sales success has been applied yet again to Subie’s smallest CUV, the Crosstrek. Thanks to it being essentially a ruggedized Impreza hatch, the Crosstrek has a roomier back seat than average and a lower roof height making it easier to toss your bikes, roof tents, and cargo boxes up top. For 2024 Subaru has sweetened the deal with a bigger screen in the dash, more refinement and improved fuel economy.
The Crosstrek has grown slightly on the outside for 2024, stretching now to 176.4 inches in overall length. It retains the same stretched hatchback look that it has carried since the first generation, now with bolder body cladding. The front headlights are adaptive swiveling LEDs – standard. The grille has lost its chrome surround, instead allowing the grille insert to bleed onto the surrounding body, giving it a more macho and upright look. The roof rails are massive and standard on all but the base trim, though the mounting points are always present in case you want to add them later. They can hold up to 700 pounds static (so a tent with a couple and their dogs or small children), and around 160 pounds dynamic.
The Crosstrek still holds the title for most ground clearance in this segment, coming in at a 8.7 inches. That’s a bit higher than last year’s model, and combined with the newly-stiffened chassis, Subaru engineers needed to counter-balance by tuning the suspension on the softer side. Out back is where the major difference between a 2.0L model or a 2.5L model can be found in the form of a horizontal black-painted treatment across the Subaru logo. The 2.0L models don’t have it. This is partially blamed on the fact that Subaru matches the 2.5L exclusively with the top two trims, Sport and Limited, while the 2.0L is reserved for the lower two trims, Base and Premium.
While it might be hard for some to recognize a 2024 model as an all-new design, there are a few other clear elements that you should look to. The body cladding on the rear bumper has a more triangular and trapezoidal motif, even incorporating a diffuser via four vortex generators. No exposed exhaust on the 2.0L models.
The interior is pretty easy to cover because it copies and pastes the dashboard found in the latest Legacy, Outback, WRX, Ascent, as well as the upcoming 2024 Impreza. It features either two 7-inch displays stacked vertically and controlling infotainment and climate separately, or a large 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. Subaru’s Starlink UI hasn’t received any major updates since it first debuted, though it does have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The instrument cluster still features analog gauges with a small portrait display, no full-LCD option available. The Premium trim we drove was equipped with heated cloth seats, and the mechanical parking brake has been replaced with an electronic switch in the center console.
The rear seat area loses a bit of space overall, and taller passengers will continue to find head room somewhat lacking due to the sloping roofline. Leg room is still enough for the average American, but you might find a more upright competitor to be more welcoming back here. Cargo space is also affected by the Crosstrek’s stance, giving you 54.7 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded. That isn’t as good as you’ll find in the boxier competition, but it has never stopped Crosstrek owners from maximizing this space with camping equipment, bikes, kayaks, etc.
Two engines are available at launch, a Japanese-built 2.0L boxer 4-cylinder or an American-made 2.5L boxer 4-cylinder. The entire car will be built where the engine is built, so Sport and Limited trim vehicles will be completely manufactured in Alabama. The 2.0 that we got to drive (we will drive the 2.5 later) makes 152 horsepower and achieves 29 mpg combined with all-wheel drive standard, of course. The 2.5 bumps horsepower to 182, but combined mpg remains the same – 29. Surprise, surprise, the manual transmission has been dropped from the lineup, leaving Subaru’s solid CVT as the sole apparatus. There are paddle shifters for shifting through eight simulated gears, and the fuel tank is a whopping 16.6-gallons in size.
Since about a quarter of Crosstrek owners take theirs off-roading, then let’s start with how the 2024 model does there. You will definitely notice that this 152-horsepower engine could use a little bit more oomph, but a muddy, sandy and moist off-road trail is exactly the kind of surface that the Crosstrek is well designed for. Not only does it have the right amount of ground clearance, which means you’re not going to bash the bottom on rocks as easily as some of the lower options out there, but there’s a lot of suspension travel. As a result, deeper dives in the road are handled in a manner that keeps occupants feeling pretty comfortable. Now, this is not the kind of vehicle designed for rock crawling or any kind of situation where you’d need to rely on skid plates.
Nevertheless, the all-wheel drive system’s always-on nature is very handy, as it always tries to send power to whatever wheel needs it most. It will generally try to send most of the power to the front axle for fuel economy, but when you engage the X-Mode at lower speeds, it will try to send power left and right more aggressively across the rear axle using a brake-based system. When engaged in X-Mode, if it detects you are traversing down a steep hill, downhill assist will automatically engage. These features make the Crosstrek a very accessible mild off-roader, perfect for novices of the craft just getting into it for the first time.
The interesting thing about the CVT that maybe belies this engine’s relatively low power is the fact that the initial starting ratio is pretty aggressive. It responds quickly to your input and makes the car feel a bit peppier and more powerful than it really is. This engineering decision ties back to the off-road mission of the Crosstrek. Subaru wants you to be able to climb up more serious trails that would normally be tricky with only 152 to horsepower if you didn’t have that more aggressive ratio to start with. Also, you can have the best four-wheel drive system in the world, but if you get hung up on rocks or tree branches, you’re not going to have a good time out in the wilderness.
Of course, we don’t have any handling scores for you yet, but we were pretty impressed with the Crosstrek when the road started to bend. During long sweeping curves accompanied by long undulations, the body roll is kept under control all while still feeling plush, It’s a nice to see a car in this segment skip the sporty driving profile and go straight to everyday comfort. Now, if you’re wondering about how long it takes to get to get to a comfortable speed, we speculate that the 2.0L models will take at least nine seconds to get to 60 mph. The 2.5L should shave 1.5-2 seconds off of that time. When it comes to future powertrains, Subaru was not ready to confirm that a hybrid is in the cards for this generation, and it would be a stretch to expect them to ever shove the 2.4L turbo in here.
Subaru wants to keep Crosstrek shoppers coming back for round three, and we think they’ve done all of the right things to keep this nameplate on the rise in the sales charts. Starting at the exact same price as generation two ($24,995), generation three should continue to be the most popular subcompact crossover in the segment thanks to a decent value proposition. Adaptive LED headlights, all-wheel drive, 29 mpg, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an upgraded Subaru EyeSight system – all standard. Fully-loaded, expect the price to only crest about $29,000 with destination, giving this a pretty narrow price range. On that Limited trim you’ll find things like heated leather seats, a sunroof, an enhanced X-Mode, 18-inch wheels, and a few more goodies. Either way you slice it, this is the true everyman’s off-roader, and we look forward to driving the 2.5L to see if it’s worth the upgrade. Until then, stay tuned…
