2025 Subaru Crosstrek Consumer Reviews
Pricing
Limited with 2.5L Engine is Sweet Spot
I'm about 6 months into my fully loaded 2004 Limited trim Crosstrek and am very, very happy. The engine feels just right for the car, but I still somehow get 37+ MPG highway at about 70 MPH. Compared to my previous 2017 Impreza sedan, it's a huge upgrade: quieter, peppier, more buttoned-up, and rides and handles beautifully. The CVT is more refined, and the sound of the Boxer engine is more muted and pleasant when pushed. The upgraded X-Drive AWD options are terrific to have, and the EyeSight system is upgraded. I also like the added ground clearance and build on our increasingly rutted roads-- the Crosstrek just soaks everything up without any fuss in most any weather. I highly recommend test driving the Limited trim in the redesigned 2024+ Crosstrek to see how far Subaru has come in the last several years. While it isn't a powerhouse with the bigger engine, it can get out of its own way without a problem and feels incredibly solid and a pleasure to drive. For a non-hybrid AWD, I find the MPGs quite good (you do take a hit in purely city driving, but even then it meets the sticker estimate). In the past I drove Audis and VWs: I enjoy this Crosstrek even more. The new larger touchscreen console is just fine and includes physical buttons for temp adjustment and other common tasks. The only quibble I have with the electronics is the upgraded Harmon-Kardon stereo: the speaker set up is very forward-centric. If you're used to stereos with beefy rear speakers, you'll find the Crosstrek reversed: the front speakers carry most of the sound, even when you equalize it to push the center back. It's not bad, but it does take an adjustment. Otherwise, I really can't find anything to complain about!
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Do-most-of-it SUV
I went from a Civic Hatchback a 2024 Crosstrek Limited. I’ve always wanted an SUV with AWD to drive Sierra Nevada forest service roads. For ~30k, it does a lot more than other cars can, but it’s not perfect. Originally I was having issues with the infotainment system and my CarPlay. There would be a lag, and sometimes it would freeze and then kick off the phone. Software updates have fixed this! The wireless phone charger is useless as your phone is apt to slide around while driving, and it charges incredibly slow. You’re better off just plugging it into the USB-C for fast charging. The 2.5 liter engine is the way to go if freeway driving is part of your regular commute. It can pull steep 6-8% grades just fine, but passing isn’t super easy. I couldn’t imagine having a 2.0 liter engine, but many folks say it’s okay. The 2.5 does well around town and doesn’t feel slow at all. The center console can be uncomfortable after awhile, and the leather that’s supposedly genuine feels synthetic, to me at least. I love the radio interface especially for satellite radio. This is a great car for a single person or a couple, but I’d be apprehensive of making this a family car. I’ve read that it’s common putting 3 people in the backseat. Cargo space would make traveling with more than 2 people difficult unless you use the roof rails. Of course, you can put the second row down. Overall, though, it’s a great car if you want to do light or moderate off-roading. I drove it through a snowstorm in Northern Arizona and while other cars ended in the ditch, the Subie did amazing with the stock tires. Just went slow and left space and there was no sliding. It’s not perfect, but it truly does a lot of things well. If I had over 40k to spend, I’d buy a loaded Outback with the bigger engine, but for 30k, this Limited does well for a single 20-something guy.
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- Sport 4dr SUVMSRP: $32,5344 mi away
- Sport 4dr SUVMSRP: $34,8494 mi away
- Premium 4dr SUVMSRP: $32,4474 mi away
2024 Crosstrek is a dud
I recently purchased a 2024 Crosstrek Sport in Alpine Green from Subaru of Kennesaw. I bought into the hype of “Subarus are so good! Subarus are so safe!” But after driving it for a few days, I realized I had made an awful mistake. It drives okay, yes, but the layout of the cabin is small, uncomfortable, and fittings look cheap. The dash is mostly taken up with an Ipad-sized display that is so laggy and difficult to use that I couldn’t stand it. On the fourth day, I dug out the phone holder I used in my previous car (a 2010 toyota) and went back to doing things on my phone instead of using Apple CarPlay. The “wireless charging,” a feature I paid for, does not work. My car charges about 3% during a 20 minute drive. I tried plugging it in with the provided USB jack but no dice, still doesn’t work. I imagine the useless and ginormous display is pulling all the available power. I turned the charging pad off and now use it as a place to put my sunglasses. Works great for that! My gas tank was also “loose” in its fitting on delivery, I have to take it back and figure out what that’s about. It doesn’t give me a lot of confidence in the build. I worry that the inoperable charger & glitchy display are signs they cheaped out other places too. Overall I’m very depressed that I’m now stuck with this car for at least 2-3 years. It’s the first new car I’ve bought in 30 years and now I realize how foolish it is to buy new. If only I’d known all these tech features I paid for would not work well! My car is green and I’ve named it Rue for the plant, and also all the sickening remorse I feel for my purchase. As soon as the money makes sense I’ll try to sell it to someone who hasn’t read the reviews for this car’s tech system. I just hope the rest of the car holds up until I can unload it without losing my shirt. In short, don’t believe the rah-rah Subaru hype. This 2024 Crosstrek is a dud. Wish I’d known before I gave them my non refundable money. Ugh.
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Regrets unending!
The car is a disappointment. Safety features are actually distracting. Eyesight regularly causes safety concerns. Driver assist randomly shuts off, and makes dangerous mistakes. I haven't used mine since the second month. The voice commands functions don't work. The door unlocks are unreliable. I have some battery draining short in the car. The dealership can't find, and so won't fix. The city MPG is half the highway in MPG. The car is fun to drive if you have no weight in it.
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Swapped '23 to '24
Coming out of a '23 Limited, I can't say I think think the '24 is 'improved' in any measurable way. The infotainment system response is frustratingly slow, and although the '24 seems to have 'better' interior finish materials, there's too many different finishes (look closely at the dashboard, fellow owners). Less piano black plastic is better, but they still out that around the gearshift... the one place it's most likely to get scratched up. The seats seem to be more supportive, and some under seat vents for air/heat in the back is a nice change, but the upper air vents in the middle don't seem to be as effective. No discernible difference in driving from the '23. Both took/take us where we need to go in reasonable comfort for the price point. If this had been our first Crosstrek, we'd be over the moon happy with it, but I'm keeping one star because I think the '23 was better.
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