No more rumors, here is the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is a vehicle tailored to the needs of Canadian drivers. Offered as standard with an all-wheel-drive system and high ground clearance, the Crosstrek quickly became a rising star at Subaru. The second generation of the subcompact SUV will officially retire for 2024, making way for the third generation, which has just been unveiled for the North American market.
Two well-known mechanics, abandonment of the manual transmission
The engines of the third generation are mechanics directly borrowed from the outgoing generation of the Crosstrek. From the outset, the vehicle will be equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that develops 152 horsepower and produces 145 lb-ft of torque. Added to this is the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. This produces 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.
On a less positive note, the automaker has officially retired the manual transmission offered in previous generations of the Crosstrek. This disappears completely from the catalog to leave only the continuously variable transmission (CVT) as an option.
Of course, each version of the Crosstrek will be equipped with Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system. The manufacturer claims to have improved its reaction time, in order to refine the general aptitudes of the vehicle. X-MODE is still available as standard on the vehicle. Thus, the third generation Crosstrek retains the famous off-road capabilities of the model. The X-MODE allows, among other things, to perform steep descent maneuvers in demanding situations. The dual-mode X-MODE will equip certain versions of the Crosstrek. This version of the system allows drivers to adapt the vehicle to certain specific driving conditions such as snow, dirt and mud using a selection dial.
Subaru also clarifies that the steering mechanism of the 2024 Crosstrek was borrowed from the Subaru WRX. Therefore, the pleasure felt behind the wheel should be higher.
A more rigid chassis, a revised design
Along with these improvements, Subaru confirms that this third generation will offer a 10% stiffer chassis. Although the 2024 Crosstrek is still based on the Subaru Global Platform (SGP), this one is 5mm shorter than the current model. Its wheelbase increases by 5 mm, but the width and height are identical. The Crosstrek therefore loses slightly in terms of cargo space, going from 1,569 litres, once the seatbacks have been folded down, to 1,549 litres.
No matter what, the exterior design of the Crosstrek 2024 is more robust than before. The new standard 17-inch and optional 18-inch wheels further show the vehicle’s adventurous character. Subaru confirms having reworked all of the body panels. In addition, the grille is enlarged, the taillights look more like the new products in the range and the bumper moldings leave no doubt about the off-road capabilities of the vehicle.
Moreover, the vehicle’s soundproofing has been improved to allow it to be quieter. The seats have also been changed and anti-scratch materials have been chosen to fill the interior of the vehicle’s doors. The entry-level Crosstrek comes with a 7-inch multimedia display. As an option, the multimedia screen can reach 11.6 inches and is arranged vertically, an element similar to the Subaru WRX. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also offered wirelessly as an option.
No hybrid or electric version
Although offered in Japan in a hybrid version, the North American 2024 Subaru Crosstrek will not, at least for the moment, be offered in a hybrid or electric version. The hybrid version offered in Japan is equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor, like the plug-in hybrid version offered on our market since 2020.
Traditionally reputed to be safe, the Crosstrek embeds, for its third generation, the new version of the EyeSight system. This now detects cyclists and pedestrians at intersections and offers a wider camera angle than before. The system, being more efficient, is now able to prevent collisions and deviate the vehicle from its trajectory thanks to the Automatic Emergency Steering system. That said, the vehicle must travel at a speed of less than 80 km/h for this system to work.
Finally, the details of the versions, as well as the Canadian prices are still not revealed. However, the price range presented by our neighbors to the south is similar to the outgoing model, which is encouraging news for Canadian prices. The entry-level models of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek will be built directly in Japan, at Subaru factories. For the first time in the history of the Crosstrek, Subaru confirms that the assembly of the versions equipped with the 2.5-litre engine will take place in the United States, more precisely in Lafayette, Indiana.
