2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium (2.0) vs. Sport (2.5) | POV Driving Impressions Review and 0-60.

Welcome back guys! Here’s a quick POV driving focused review of the 2.0 and 2.5 Crosstrek to express my impressions of them back to back on the road. What are your thoughts?
Like, comment, subscribe, and take care! 😎
Dealer Link Below…
www.twinfalls-...

[@timhanley4396]

My wife got the 2024 premium with sunroof for under 28000 great car!

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

That’s awesome! 😎

[@marianaybarra4919]

Crazy I got the premium with no sunroof for 30k

[@Tenacious_Schemer]

The sport is just the way to go. I love mine

[@shedder1104]

I've had both motors and wish I still had my 19 Crosstrek with the 2.0. way better fuel economy. No matter how I drove it I was getting 32 mpg in long math at the pump. The car is usually 3mpg off.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Thanks for sharing your experience! When I had my 2.0 the computer read about 5% too generous. My Outback is much more on track with hand calculated MPG at the pump. 🤷‍♂️🙂

[@danielfair4675]

Lmao. That's funny since there's virtually "0" difference. BTW, I've got a loaded '21 Limited w/2.5 and I'm at a hair over 33 mpg in a 50/50 mix. And that's figuring at the pump, not what the computer list, over 11,000 miles on it.

[@kijijiuser4173]

@@danielfair4675 what he was tryin to say is bigger engine means more air and fuel. Theres a difference bud. no need for your lmao comment

[@golgo1367]

I had a 2019 6 speed, and traded it in for a wrx. I miss a lot of things about the trek(space, rear hatch, clearance, and ride comfort), but I'll never go back to a 2.0 engine. It struggled with people in the car, and I had to downshift constantly on the highway. I hope subaru one day makes a crosstrek with a 2.4 turbo, and a 6 speed plus a crawler gear. Until then, I'll lift my wrx and see what I can do with it. 👍 💯 🇺🇸

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I hear you! Lifted WRXs look sweet! I’ve only driven lowered ones thus far.

[@NGMonocrom]

Can't lie, if there's a better engine option; I'm always going for that one.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I feel the same way. 😎

[@jeffrey3498]

Since the 2024 Premium only offers a CVT, I'd probably get the 2024 Sport, but I don't think you could go wrong with either one. I really enjoy the 2.0 liter engine in my 2023 6MT.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I agree, I think they’re each pretty good, especially at their price point. I’m glad you were able to ship the manual! Had I not wanted eyesight on my 2019 I also would have found a manual. But after selling my most recent manual Tacoma the automatic Subaru was a refreshing change of pace lol.

[@jeffrey3498]

@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Not having to shift has its plusses. One annoying thing for me with the manual is that I’ll put it in neutral at a red light. When the light turns green I try to rush to get it into first so the car behind me doesn’t get teed off lol. I could leave it in first with the clutch in, but I read somewhere that that causes unnecessary wear on the clutch.

[@davidguarin358]

Sadly the 2.5 is American 🇺🇸 And the 2.0 is made in Japan 🇯🇵 So I prefer to stick with the Japanese even if I loose horse 🐎 power

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I hear you. I didn’t have a single issue with my 2.0 Crosstrek, other than passing semi’s and farm equipment on the highway, lol. 😂

[@jjr007]

The parts are still made in Japan, just assembled in the U.S.

[@lorenschwiderski]

@@jjr007 I assume the engine and transmissions come out of a plant in Japan, wholly assembled.

[@TheFairholmeRange]

2.0L here in Canada. Live in a city and area with a lot of elevation changes. Coming from a 02 Corolla. I know the 2.0L gets harped on but its sufficient enough for me.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

That’s all that matters! 🙂

[@laalbujhakkar]

I just ordered a 2024 Crosstrek Premium and seeing all the harping on the 2.0L engine was making me reconsider... Only test drove an Onyx which seemed pretty zippy compared to my '21 Forester. I see so many people complain it's not got enough power to pass people on the 401 ... I'm thinking a 2.0L can't be THAT bad... I mean I'm not buying it for speed tbh.

[@TheFairholmeRange]

@@laalbujhakkar it’s not bad. I can still pass people easily lol

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

And adding a lighter weight wheel/tire helps a lot! The 2023 slightly lifted Crosstrek with a better wheel/tire I posted a few weeks ago actually GPS’d almost a second faster than any other 2.5 I’ve tested. 🤔😬

[@willwilliam217]

Wanted the sport but got the 24 premium with no heated seats😭 because we needed a car quicker after my wife totaled out her camaro this. Past July. Power for me is good, ride is excellent, Japan vs Indiana production, hate the seatbelt alarm.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I hear you, just glad she’s okay! Yeah, the seat belt alarms are rough, lol.

[@caryg4638]

You can fix the seatbelt alarm by putting the ignition in power on, and locking and unlocking the seatbelt 20 times consecutively super fast, and then switching off the ignition afterwards. There are videos on this if you need them.

[@Flfreedom]

Small world I’m in the PT world too! PTA here in FL and I do traveling PT a couple days a week. I keep debating on the Sport or a Mazda 3. My Boxer dog seems to be the determining factor

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Very small world, that’s awesome! Definitely test drive both. But I don’t think you can go wrong either way. 🙂

[@lorenschwiderski]

Half of the reviews of CrossTreks claim that road noise and wind noise is ever present, while the other half claim it is pretty quiet. Am I wrong in assuming the Outback will be more quiet of the freeway? If pretty close, it might not make a huge difference, but when wind noise is high, or the tires are grinding away sound wise makes longer trips more a chore -- less pleasing. Cost wise, once you add the 2.5 engine, the cost is about the same of an Outback. Actually the base Outback is $30K. The gas mileage on the CrossTrek is better, though some claim an Outback can achieve 33 MPG. The camera on either side of the mirror seem to be a little inline with the forward view, whereas the Outback has more glass area. Wish I could order one without cameras.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Crosstrek definitely will be more likely to hit its rated MPG numbers. And I do think the Outback is slightly more quiet and a better vehicle all around if they’re optioned about the same for the same price. I wonder if the half of reviewers who aren’t as pleased with it are just more particular or experienced driving unreasonably high end luxury cars to form that opinion, I’m not sure. It’s definitely not silent but I don’t think it’s worse than you’d expect for this class of vehicle. Our Outback definitely felt like an upgrade compared to my old 2019 Crosstrek premium I use to have.

[@lorenschwiderski]

@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Thanks for reply / info. It looks like Outback is the most bang for buck, though the Premium CrossTrek is a good starting price. The Camry Hybrid now is a super deal in sedans. I doubt it can top the Outback for safety, and is not the go everywhere car. Many people nowadays want taller cars to see out of, and the compete on the road with bigger vehicles --- not get squished! Even the smaller CrossTrek has best in class real world safety. I think the new Forester might have to come down in price though, once Toyota goes all hybrid for the RAV4 -- or should I say if they do. When they do the one engine for all, the price of hybrid falls. The Forester prices will then seem too high. Just a thought.

[@nighthawkvc25a]

Great impression video. Just curious, you often get testers from Twin Falls Subaru, but how long are you able to try them out? (e.g. only a few hours, a whole day or week?). I'm wondering if you've been able to measure the real world mpg (not relying on the onboard readout), though that's probably too much of an endurance effort. Also, have you been able to try out a Corolla Cross (either hybrid or regular)?

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I haven’t found a good example of a Corolla Cross yet to make a video with, in fact I hardly ever see them. But that’s one that I have in my radar! I usually only borrow a car the minimum length needed to make my video. I have had thoughts about trying to borrow for longer to do more MPG testing like I’ve done on my personal Outback. But I haven’t asked about that yet, and due to the fact that most of their vehicles for example are all dealer owned that they of course want in good condition to sell I’m unsure how they’d feel about that. I’m hopefully as my channel gets bigger in the years to come I could eventually borrow “press cars” for more extensive testing, but I’m sure that’s a ways down the road, lol.

[@bobb470]

I enjoy your reviews and I am wondering what your thoughts are on the comfort level of the seats in the crosstrek base,premium and sport.Does it change much as you go up in trim levels?

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I think seat comfort is very subjective and differs with each of our body style and preferences. With that said, I think all the Crosstrek seats are comfortable. And having driven 40k miles on my old premium I never had any issue. 🙂

[@nyrocks5580]

It's insane to me that no Crosstrek - no matter how pricey - can be bought in the U.S. with driver seat memory. Our 22 Legacy Limited XT has that feature, as does our 2016 Ford Fusion SE AWD and we've learned that we would never do without it.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Yeah, good catch! That is an interesting choice by Subaru to not offer it. Thanks for watching!

[@nyrocks5580]

It's a head scratcher, for sure@@AutomotiveAnonymous208

[@stuartkennedy4202]

Has the USA 2.0L Crosstrek’s BHP dropped to 136 from the previous version of 150 as that’s what we get in the U.K. It’s literally all we get. It’s shocking.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

No, the power numbers haven’t changed in the U.S. that’s strange that they have for you. I wonder if it’s dumbed down by the PCM tuning or an actual physical change to the engine. 🤷‍♂️🧐

[@efavuzza73]

The sport is worth the extra money

[@lorenschwiderski]

I wonder if the CrossTrek with 2.5 engine drops the TCV thermo control in favor of the old school thermostat? I hear the Forest will drop the current TCV. That would be a good thing, having a less troublesome cooling system. Currently I would now go with the 2.0 on a CrossTrek. And the car is made in Japan.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Good question! I haven’t looked into the other 2.5s beyond just the Forester. But that’s a tough one because the 2.5 Crosstrek does drive noticeable stronger, at least at high elevation.

[@lorenschwiderski]

@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 It appears that the revised TCV is in the 2.5 CrossTrek -- appears to have less break down, but it is the 2025 Forester which gets the new, possibly old school thermostat cooling system. Oh well. The 2.0 will not have the issues, and it appears the new improved TCV replacement helps. Still feel concerned however.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Thanks for adding this! Part of the reason I’m not as concerned with either model is because this would be a one time problem. And if it happens all the dashboard lights will go off and then you just get it towed (hopefully not at an excessively inconvenient time). Compared to some other cars which have regular and multiple cooling issue leaks and failures. The car that we’re replacing for a Forester has been flawless for us, but it’s one that is mildly common to have lots of cooling issues with high mileage.

[@littlestinker9716]

If you have a Buick dealer nearby, I'd like to hear your opinion of the Envista and its 1.2T engine at altitude.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

There’s surprisingly not a very large or reputable Buick dealers in the few towns most local to me. But if I get the opportunity to drive one I’d enjoy that. If it’s a 1.2T I’d assume it’s similar to the Trax/Trailblazer platform, maybe even the same? But I haven’t researched that. In any case I do have a few videos of those Chevys mentioned, and it’s a decent little engine, but I could imagine it quickly gets overwhelmed or poor mpg if the vehicle is full capacity or having to climb in elevation. Best of luck! 🙂

[@littlestinker9716]

@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Yeah. Same engine as new Trax. I'll search for your Trax video. Thanks!

[@adamblakeley5865]

Is that an app that you use to run your 0-60 times and info grid? If so would you mind sharing which app? Thanks!

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Yeah! The app is Dragy, but to use it you need to purchase the small GPS box, which is about $160 U.S. I’ve had mine for several years and have used it probably over 400x. It works 98-99% of the time and very quickly paid for itself in how awesome access to the information is. 🙂

[@adamblakeley5865]

@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 ok awesome! Thank you for the info. Definitely going to check it out!

[@danielfair4675]

Pick up an old PASSPORT GT2 G-timer, If you want correct performance data.

[@amo757]

Why does the Wilderness have such an increase in towing capacity? Oil cooler maybe?

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Yeah, I think that’s the reason! 🙂

[@ds1527]

And stiffer suspension?

[@philricci2012]

Why don’t reviewers ever test vehicles at sea level?

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I’m not entirely sure what everyone else does as I haven’t watched many other car reviews since I started doing this myself. But as a small channel starting out and doing this in my free time as a part time gig I wouldn’t realistically be able to justify the time/expense of all that further distance traveling to places like sea level. Despite that being really cool. I think many of the big car magazines are located closer to sea level and in California. So they would be better at providing the best possible acceleration times in a set environment for each vehicle. And therefor I provide what it does in my reality which is 2,500-7,500’ of altitude equivalent due to fluctuating density altitude. 🤷‍♂️😅 Thanks for watching!

[@danielfair4675]

Maybe because they don't live at sea level. Lmao

[@philricci2012]

In Canada, the 2.5 comes from Japan.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

Oh that’s cool! Thanks for sharing that insight.

[@laalbujhakkar]

Wait, is the 2.0L premium sold in Canada made in the US?

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

I haven’t looked into the Canadian models, but here in the U.S. the 2.5 models are assembled in Japan, while the 2.0 are assembled in the U.S. so it may be the same for you up north? 🧐

[@philricci2012]

@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Currently all Canadian Crosstreks come from Japan.

[@danielfair4675]

​@AutomotiveAnonymous208 ... actually beginning with the '24 model the 2.5 is built in Lafayette, Indiana and the 2.0 in Japan. You're backwards

[@ds1527]

2 seconds isn't worth the extra $2k in my case.

[@AutomotiveAnonymous208]

That’s probably also true for most people! Thanks for watching!!