Wanna ride shotgun with the GRM crew?
Welcome to this week’s test vehicle, a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium.
The Crosstrek platform is all-new for 2024 yet, at $24,995, has the same starting MSRP as the outgoing model.
And a little Crosstrek history:
The Crosstrek debuted 11 years ago and quickly became the fastest selling vehicle in history for Subaru of America, with …
Since the pricing info came on a vertical sheet of paper for this one, sticking it here:
It's amazing how much it has morphed into another small SUV thingy in that first picture. Like an Escape, RAV4........ awwwwwww hell, all of them. Didn't it use to be slightly more wagonish?
In reply to Feedyurhed :
The Crosstrek was always an Impreza shaped like a football helmet.
Subaru also made the Forester on the chassis, so it was like a slightly different Crosstrek (or vice versa), which may be what you are thinking of.
Subaru makes a lot of different vehicles about the same size and shape that do the same thing, so you kind of have to look at the model badge to know what you are looking at if you are not a Subaru dork, but clearly it is working out for them 
I thought Crosstreks were more expensive than that. Can you still get them with a manual trans? The majority of the first generation (?) that I see are manual.
Feedyurhed said:It's amazing how much it has morphed into another small SUV thingy in that first picture. Like an Escape, RAV4........ awwwwwww hell, all of them. Didn't it use to be slightly more wagonish?
We really like ours. Cross-shopped Hyundai Tuscon, Rav4, CX-30. The Tuscon and Rav-4 are a lot beefier vehicles, whereas the Crosstrek is basically a jacked-up wagon-ish hatchback sedan. It's based on the Impreza. Definitely worth paying for the 2.5 liter engine over the 2.0.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
Sadly, the Crosstrek now comes with a CVT across the line.
Just picked up the Crosstrek from JG and, yes, it definitely has a CVT....
David S. Wallens said:Just picked up the Crosstrek from JG and, yes, it definitely has a CVT....
Which is why after 22 years and six Subaru's (all manuals) I am no longer a Subaru owner. I need (want) either a small SUV or hatchback with either a manual or a performance automatic. Simply can't do a CVT. Period. And yes I have driven many of them. Would love a Subie Forester with a turbo and manual. Or a hatchback WRX. Don't exist. Bought a Kona N with the 8 speed DCT instead. So pleasantly surprised. So much better than I expected. Ya the DCT is a little glitchy at low speeds but it feels quite a bit like my Sti did. Not often purchases exceed your expectations. Last time I felt like this was when I purchased my 91 Sentra SE-R years ago. Another over achiever.
Man I came away really impressed with this little spacepod. It's a throwback in all the right ways: The interior seems big despite a tidy exterior dimension, It's got good features, but no bloat. Everything on the content sheet makes in impact and is well-curated. And it actually seems like a thing that isn't around much anymore: A value.
The CVT isn't horrible, I guess. I mean, I wasn't expecting much so it didn't let me down. But the car gets crazy fuel economy—like mid 30s on a trip to Orlando and back—and it's nice enough without feeling like it's trying too hard. Controls are intuitive, even on the big touchscreen, and there's loads of room inside.
This speaks to me. The only problem is it's saying: meh.
I have no issue with the CVT. It's fine for what the car does.
Hey, I also drove the Crosstrek to Orlando–and check out that (legal) rock star parking behind the downtown library. :)
More to come as I got home later than expected.
Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:I have no issue with the CVT. It's fine for what the car does.
Yes, which is why my 2019 Crosstrek Premium is a CVT. I was willing to do either version, but Wagner had exactly what I wanted (white, minimal options, I was trying to keep $ low) with a CVT. I figured I'd drive it, if I didn't hate it I'm in. If I did, I'd find a manual.
I drove it around town and at speed, did not hate. It had 9 miles on it, now about 53K and zero problems. It's an appliance, not a race car, it's for hauling my costume bins and 66.6# dog. I'm very happy with it.
Are those fender 'guards' the same as the WRX but non-dimpled? Less for air-flow and more for protection in this application I assume...
I was always happy Subaru seemed to push past the gray envelope of colors on these (at least the ones that caught my eye).
So, the CVT.
On the highway, it’s not bad. Once you get to your cruising altitude, it just sits there.
In today’s world of crisp automatics–whether a twin-clutch or even one using a torque converter–the CVT just feels soft and disconnected. While better than past CVTs, it still feels like a slipping clutch.
I bought a 2017 Forester turbo a bit over a year ago and had such high hopes for the car. It had decent power and the ability to switch among the modes made it "fun-ish". It was super roomy.
After a few months with the CVT, though, I came to the conclusion that we just couldn't be together. I enjoyed the utility of it and it was fantastic at hauling our family and dog. That being said, I sold it back to the dealer I bought it from and haven't missed it for one second. Their CVTs are truly that bad.
I think Subaru has elected to nearly completely ignore the driver who gets a thrill out of driving. Yes I am fully aware of the WRX, but aside from that car the overall lineup is both homely and unfortunate to drive.
I really want to like them.
The other day I drove our family Crosstrek as well as a Chevy Bolt. The Bolt had more power. In every other way I preferred the Crosstrek. Better ride and handling, better ergonomics, more comfortable seating... And I really don't get the griping about the CVT. But that's okay. To each their own.
The rest of the Crosstrek is so good–the looks, the feel, etc., especially at that price point–that I think the CVT becomes its one issue. If this had a non-CVT, I think it would be pretty stellar.
My daily (2015 Honda Fit) has a CVT, and while it did take a little getting used to, I don't even notice it anymore.
It is, however, pretty humorous trying to merge onto the highway as your car screams at 6000 rpm until you reach highway speeds.
What is "incline start assist"? That sounds like something a manual would have.
Looks like the CVT gets it, too.
A few more follow-up thoughts on this one with a few posts about the interior.
The seat warmer switches come from a ’90s Toyota, and that’s a very good thing. The shifter, likewise, is rather retro in today’s times. 
I think the turn signal stalks also come from the same parts bin–again, that’s good news.
The window switches, likewise, also had a solid feel to them.
It’s a little dusty in this photo, but I dig this texture. I know it’s carbon fauxber, but I like it.
More retro-ness: big, easy-to-read (actual) gauges.
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