Subaru Crosstrek Long-Term Review: What We Loved (And Didn’t) After 6 Months

Full long-term review of the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0S, including engine, CVT, AWD system, ride quality, handling, running costs and important buyer’s guide suggestions.

In this long-term review, we take a closer look at the Subaru Crosstrek after six months of ownership.

We cover pricing and specs, ride quality, fuel economy, interior and tech, build quality, and more. We also compare the hybrid vs non-hybrid and discuss the car's fun factor.

Our high-spec 2.0S variant also presents good value despite sailing north of $46K on road, the package offering a lot of features and loads of standard-fit safety for the dough.    

Check out the video for our in-depth analysis and honest opinions.

Specs of our Crosstrek long-term review vehicle:
* Crosstrek 2.0S AWD
* Sun Blaze Pearl paint
* Charcoal leather interior

Time codes:
0:00 - Intro
0:10 - Pricing
0:44 - Six months, over 8000km
1:13 - Fuel economy
1:45 - Reliability
2:02 - Road tripping
2:16 - Dislikes
3:09 - Likes
3:15 - Interior
3:45 - Infotainment
4:20 - Conveniences
4:57 - On road manners
5:26 - Off-road
6:05 - Hybrid option?
6:33 - Ride and handling
7.00 - Refinement
7:34 - Safety
8:05 - Performance
8:34 - Engine
9:26 - Verdict
10:32 - Wilderness version

Chasing Cars makes Australia’s most independent car reviews.

[luckycricket]

So i have had it for 8 month and i have done 30k kms. I live very rural and quite offroad, the thing that urks me about reviews is that they keep refering to the term "city car" that is NOT what this car is. If you live rural/farm and dont want a huge 4x4 that does it all MAAAATE its almost the ONLY option it has been a godsent!!!

[rajTrondhjem]

We need more of these long term reviews with information potential buyers could use.. Thanks

[danielcave]

We have the same car, but in Oasis Blue, bought new last June, it’s my wife’s daily. Subaru fans from way back so we didn’t even consider anything else. We love ours but yes it’s a bit gutless but I don’t think it’s quite as bad as you kept going on about. It fits the brief of what it’s meant to be. It’s not supposed to be a powerhouse. We’ve known for a while that the 2.5L is on the way, that will be a great addition. They will never bring the turbo boxer over though as it will eat into Outback sales. The boot is too small, that’s rhetorical main issue from our point of view. Whenever I go to Bunnings I have to pay to have stuff delivered because it won’t fit in the Crosstrek lol. The safety suite is awesome, I love the radar cruise control. The eyesight system takes up a lot of room on the front windscreen and I found it quite intimidating and intrusive at first but soon got used to it. The wireless phone connectivity is not reliable and drops out occasionally, ditto the wireless charging if the phone isn’t in exactly the right spot. I was skeptical about owning a cvt but it’s really not that bad. We love ours and the wife is happy. I wanted an Outback but we would have had to finance but with the Crosstrek we didn’t have to, so chose it instead. Overall I’d highly recommend the Crosstrek to anyone, just be aware that the boot is really small and it’s not u till some time has passed and in your day to day life you realise that it is an actual issue. Neither is the motor a firecracker but it’s not meant to be either. Subaru still have that unmistakeable character in them and I’m so glad this new model does too. They are great cars

[zeropartos]

I know what you mean, but I don’t think “no engine or transmission issues” in the first 6 months deserves a “big plus”….surely this is the bare minimum you’d expect! Thanks for the review!

[HAL-vuef]

Did 230, 000km in a 2016 CVT Forester in 7 years with approx 20% dirt and off road, never had a single issue with the car in Australian bush where we live.. If the Wilderness Crosstrek arrives in Australia with a 2.5 like in the Forester then I will buy one A.S.A.P for the wife. The 220mm ground clearance and permanent 4x4 is just so useful and safe. I took that car so many places off road and the Crosstrek would be just as good.

[johnedds]

Having experienced CVT transmissions in an Audi A4 and a Honda Jazz, I had no problems in adapting my driving style to them. Maybe the engine power is an issue, but most people wouldn't know or care. Thanks for the review.

[j]

The difference between the 2.0 and the 2.5 is huge in real world driving. Trust me, the 2.5 is the one to get! 🙂

[David-dyej]

We have an Impreza sedan. City suburban 7.2 to 7.8 depending on the fuel type. Open road 5.2-5.5 depend on fuel type. For better performance from the 2ltr engine use 95 or 98 rom fuel. There is a definite low down improvement and about 8% better fuel economy. Sydney to Melbourne and return 5.2 on 95, best 4.8 Canberra to Sydney on 98. The car cost $27k new, better than some so called hybrids. Only issue has been new tires. Subaru typically under inflates tires. Using 40 psi improves road handling and comfort surprising enough. The CTV transmission has been fine. For better performance just use 95 or 98 fuel. Same engine.

[jakefoot]

I have a '24 Crosstrek Sport and absolutely love it. The 2.5L engine is a game changer. It is beautiful with the ice silver metallic trim and gold highlights. It has every extra Subaru has to offer, , moonroof, HK sound system, Eyesight, including mats, back window screens, roof luggage racks, and much more. $30, 000 USD

[ProductofNZ]

Subaru seems to have an obsession with black plastic cladding. The "Wilderness Edition" turns that up to 11.. It never ages well.

[iqnill]

I have a new Crtostrek with 8K on the clock now. Being a country bumpkin, most of my driving in on country roads and freeways. On flat trips the average fuel consumption is about 6.8l/100km. On the freeway "downhill" to Melbourne - 5.4, on the way back, uphill - 7.2
City traffic driving 10 - 11, which is more than my Prado...
I don't get what you mean by a noisy engine - whining yes, but that's what the paddles are for. When escaping an intersection or overtaking drop one or two gears and it wakes up quick smart. For long downhills drop it into manual and save the brakes.
It's a lovely car to drive, unless you expect a racer of course.
I got better tyres and took it to some tracks I did in the Prado and it copes well, but it's not a fully fledged 4x4.

[GuyWinstanley]

I have had my subaru xv 2l since February 2014 its a 2014 model and i find it excellent

[kenfrank]

I almost bought the Crosstrek Premium. Until I began to read owner comments on Crosstrek forums. Many say the city driving fuel economy isn't as good as Subaru claims. It's much less. Because much of my driving will be in the city, I won't be buying the Crosstrek. I'm sure it will be a great car for camping and driving to the mountains and deserts. Most likely I'll buy a Rav4 hybrid.

[jamesjames]

Cvt and no rear airvents in 2024? from Japan? crazy!

[devvynully]

I think Subaru needs a 1.8L turbo with 8 speed auto for this car. Maybe keep the current 2.0L with CVT for the entry level only.

[johnlambert]

I owned a 2017 XV for about 6 years and yes I agree with you, it's SO underpowered it's not funny. Quite a few times I wanted to pull out quickly at an intersection and it just lagged terribly. It was a very comfortable car to drive for sure though, and averaged about 7 litres/100km so not super efficient but not too bad either. I've had a number of Subaru's over the years and always really liked them. However Subaru really do need to put either a larger capacity engine or a turbo charged version of the 2 litre in their Crosstreks to make them just that much better and safer.

[skulkloe]

I've got a soft spot for Subaru but they also frustrate the crap out of me with their decisions. That old 2.0 needs to disappear ASAP. And their stubbornness with sticking to a CVT is endlessly annoying. Imagine the 2.5 turbo with a ZF6 or similar.

[andyh]

Whack in the 2.4l from the BRZ/GR86 and offer a manual option or the torque converter auto from same 😂. My 6sp BRZ currently returning 8.7/100 (which probably means I'm not driving nearly hard enough).

[RetroKingOG]

I'm Canadian, and in US and Canada we do get the Crosstrek with the 2.5L boxer engine.

I own brand new 2024 Crosstrek limited with 2.5, it wastes lot of gas to be honest.

City use best I can get this is 9.9L per 100 and worst in winter went down to 10.6L

Highway I've gotten it down to 6.8L

But the computer wasn't accurate when I actually had filled the tank. In reality I averaged 34 mpg highway which is 7.0L

It's not that I don't like the car, but there are much more fuel efficient options.

I was originally thinking of trading my last car for the new Acura Integra, which can get 45 mpg highway.

But at the time Integra wasn't released yet.

[Das_Germaican]

It’s pretty simple. If you’re primarily using the car for city driving, save the money and get the 2.0. More highway driving? Get the 2.5. That’s exactly why I went with the 2.5 and it’s more than adequate for my needs.