2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport Review – Pumping It Up

I recently reviewed the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium and my biggest critique, at least from a driving dynamics standpoint, was a lack of guts.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport is meant to address that criticism. Want a Crosstrek that’s a bit more fun? This is your trim of choice.

That’s because this one, along with the Limited and Wilderness trims, gets the 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder that makes 30 more horsepower and 33 more lb-ft of torque than the 2.0-liter boxer in the base and Premium trims. There’s 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft on tap here.

That’s still not exactly a lot of grunt, and the Crosstrek doesn’t magically become a burner with this engine, but there is more pep in the step for urban cut and thrust, as long as for passing and merging. You won’t be surprising Mustangs during stoplight drags, but you’ll have less to worry about when fighting the masses at the end of an on-ramp.

Selecting the Sport trim doesn’t necessarily mean you get big changes when it comes to ride and handling. You have the same suspension – MacPherson upfront, double-wishbone in the back – and the same all-wheel drive system as other trims, although the Sport and Wilderness have a different X-Mode drive-mode system than the other Crosstrek trims.

You end up with a ride that straddles the line between stiff and comfortable nicely, though occasionally erring on the side of too stiff. You get handling that is competent but not particularly engaging or fun.

Most of what you get when you opt for the Sport mode is more in the appearance vein. You get 18-inch wheels, more sound insulation compared to Premium, LED accent lighting, and yellow interior and exterior accents. You also get a wireless cell-phone charger.

An All Weather package that includes heated front seats is standard, and you can opt for a package that includes blind-spot detection with lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency steering. You can also add a power moonroof, 10-way power driver’s seat, and Subaru’s Starlink information service.

Like with the Premium, the continuously-variable automatic transmission is generally unobtrusive. There's an eight-speed "manual" mode for those so inclined.

Also like the Premium, the interior puts function over form and has a large, easy-to-read/easy-to-use infotainment screen. My only beef is that while there are knobs and buttons for the radio and temperature adjustments, some of the climate controls require you to use the touchscreen.

As with all 2024 Crosstreks, the bodywork is refreshed, the structure is stiffer, the cabin is quieter, and there's now dual-pinion electric power steering in a bid for improved steering response.

Standard features included Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assist system, adaptive cruise control with lane centering assist, brake assist, paddle shifters, roof rails, LED headlights, LED fog lamps, automatic high beams, USB-A and USB-C ports, dual-zone climate control, and keyless entry and starting.

My test unit had all the options listed above.

The price is attractive – the starting number is $28,995 and with options and destination, the total came to $32,210. There’s a bit of fuel sipping going on here, too – the numbers are 26/33/29.

As I said with the Premium, the Crosstrek is about utility above anything else. The Sport gives you a bit more oomph from the motor and adds some pop to the design, plus a few more features. There’s not much here you don’t need.

It’s not excessively sporty or sexy, and it’s not supposed to be. The Sport has the same appeal as the Premium with a bit more get up and go and a bit more personality.

That works for us.

[Images: Subaru]

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