Should You Buy a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek? Thorough Review By A Mechanic

[@polywog9591]

Driving my 2008 Subaru Outback, 172,000 miles and zero issues. I am 63 and this car is the best car I have ever owned.

[@cheapmod]

everything changed after cvt. even toyota breaking down now

[@jima7925]

I am 70 and have a 2008 Outback with 100,000 been a great car. I never did the timing belt (yet?) have you ?

[@spol1622]

@@jima7925It has timing chains (2 timing chains) so, likely, they may not need replacement at 100k, but you should replace serpentine belt, if you did not do it yet (along with tensioner).

[@jima7925]

@@spol1622 Nope. The 2008 2.5 i 4 has a timing belt. I wish it was chains. Yes I did the accessory belt at about 80k.

[@andersriksson100]

​​@@cheapmodI fear you may be correct, but I was hoping the e-CVT by Toyota was better in terms of longevity- is it not? Regular CVTs seems to be made to keep fuel consumption down only transfering that cost to that of the transmission as it fails and hence to the first or the secondary owner with a frugal appearance... Car manufacturers strive to make cars last for say a decade and then they start to fail.... EV batteries have about a 8 year/160000 km guarantee and a new battery is so expensive then the car is writ-off by the insurance company... insurance costs will skyrocket.

[@theAV8R]

this and @savagegeese are the only automotive channels anyone needs to watch. They're technical, and provide deep insight. Great work as usual!

[@db8980]

Agree. Every one that I've watched has been great.

[@eddymahon1503]

What no Motortrend reviews? 😂😂

[@pauldichtel6410]

Scottie Kilmer has a good automotive channel.

[@MitsuMitsu385]

They are both in Illinois, a collaboration would be really cool.

[@logandeering7947]

@@pauldichtel6410Kilmer is a bottom of the barrel garbage car review channel

[@DavidOliveiraYadin]

Man, this is the first time I'm watching this channel, and you know what? It's been a long time I don't discover a non nonsense car review. That man knows what he's talking about, and it shows. Punctuating needed and interesting information, without being weird about the things the doesn't like or think could be different. And simple as it may sound, this is something rare nowadays. You see all kind of crazy reviews, that look like some Japanese crazy run show, with people whining about such trivial things, and forgetting useful information. Kudos, man! Great technical knowledge, great review, great guy! 10/10.

[@Thickercarton]

Agree! This channel is different

[@ians6323]

Ditto. Brilliant all round reviews 😉

[@steveg6978]

Yes he knows his S

[@steveg6978]

@@Thickercarton Go watch the one on the second opinion of a blown motor. He tracks down the issue like Sherlock Holmes

[@stealth916]

I bought a 2023 Crosstrek Sport 2.5L for my daughter's first car. It is our family's first Subaru. I am very particular when it comes to serviceability and longevity. This vehicle hit it out of the park at the price they sell for. It has so many safety, driver, and comfort features that you would never expect in a car at this price. Luckily the 2023 model still has a mechanical parking brake, and physical climate controls. It is a shame they went away from that. You could also still get a manual transmission in 2023 on the 2.0L. However I have to say the Subaru CVT is very nice, actually fun to drive. And I say that as someone who swore he would never, ever buy a CVT. But the Subaru CVT besides being fun, also has a great reputation for reliability. The extra ground clearance, high sidewall tires, and good visibility are perfect for our new driver. She is coming up on the one year mark of driving and she still loves this car, and I love the feeling knowing she is driving something safe and reliable. I also looked at Civics and Corollas but the dealers were just too insane with the market price adjustments (aka markups over msrp) and other pricing insanity. Subaru played none of those games. We could not be happier with the selection we made.

[@sunset3052]

I have both 2023 Sports 2.5L (for my daughter) and 2.0L manual (I was told one of the last in the US) for myself.

[@Sophia-yv7nf]

Where did you buy? Please give me dealer name. I want to buy a new car. Thanks.

[@thecapone45]

Recently purchased a cross trek and I also left a Toyota dealership because they wilder negotiate as much for the price. The salesman really tried to be pushy. Subaru did none of that and it was honestly the best car buying experience I’ve ever had.

[@carolbaughan8768]

Toyota is crazy pricey. Not a comfortable ride for long drives.

[@Iceman-bu1eg]

I just picked up a 2024 Sport. The drivability is outstanding! Easily drives as smooth as my Lexus. Got the bigger engine and power is not a problem. Really a fun car to drive!

[@frankweathersbee2553]

I have a 21 sport & power is definitely not a problem, even tow a 14ft boat often, great driving vehicle. Im a 34 year dodge,jeep,Chrysler tech & love the shifting, ride quality, fuel mileage & performance.

[@HidInMistProductions]

How do you compare the road noise to a Lexus? Totaled my Lexus RX300 a bit ago and I'm considering getting a Subaru Crosstrek, but I don't know if it's as quiet as the Lexus.

[@johndodo2062]

​@HidInMistProductions its damn close but you can't expect that type of noise for 27k

[@DK-gy7ll]

I drove a 2024 Crosstrek as a loaner for a few weeks, and I just want to say the 2.0 engine isn't fast but it's not as gutless as you make it out to be. Like any naturally-aspirated engine it'll wheeze at high altitudes, and it's not a good choice if you like to drive pretending you're Vin Diesel, but it has plenty of power to safely pass slow traffic and merge onto highways. I've driven cars that were so gutless I couldn't keep my speed up on a mountain pass, and this isn't it.

[@kradius2169]

29:18 🤣

[@michaelrieser9928]

Thanks for your input. As I haven’t test ridden any of these sub compact suvs that I’m contemplating. This crosstrek and say the Chevy trek, this guys opinionated review was a little over the top. It made me feel like it was so slow it wasn’t even worth testing it! I don’t get it, this car is priced very close to the Chevy treks and trailblazer and on paper it should be better then the chevys, and it’s a Subaru. But this review kind of makes it sound like it’s just OK.

[@davidguarin358]

@@michaelrieser9928I just bought a new crosstrek 2.0 based At 25 thousand out of the door The car 🚘 is extremely slow to pass other cars 🚗 that is 100 % True / but the car is confortable and solid and extremely safe No wonder 💭 have a good test crash 💥 and the resale value of the car 🚘 is great 👍 I don’t remorse to bought it / but I will keep it and sale it when is paid off I do like my car and at the end I’m happy 😃

[@edsmith9855]

I totally agree. Like I said in my post above, even the 2.0L is perfectly fine for normal driving. No problem entering freeways, merging, or keeping up with freeway traffic. The non-hybrid Corolla Cross, Honda HRV and base models of the Seltos/Kona are very similar in performance. The reviewer in this video definitely is a bit over the top in his criticism of the powertrain.

[@sad754yt]

My son just test drove one and said it was very slow so maybe the guy knows what he is talking about. My son id going with the 2.5 turbo in the Outback Wilderness instead@@michaelrieser9928

[@michaelnoah3795]

Thank you for finally reviewing a Subaru, your channel is one of the few I actually trust because you actually put in the effort to evaluate the mechanical engineering aspect. Most modern car journalists are either bought by a few companies or they are just completely out of touch with a regular buyer. The Crosstrek did not receive many awards but their sales are so strong, people vote with their wallets! In my area they are marked up ~$1000-2000 and completely sold out. Just placed by order yesterday and am waiting to receive mine!

[@bohdanked]

My local Subaru dealer here in PA advertises Crosstreks $1250 off MSRP. I guess depends on the area.

[@michaelnoah3795]

I think you are talking about the 2023 crosstrek. In my area the 2023 models are also discounted because the 2024 is such a major refresh@@bohdanked

[@bohdanked]

​@@michaelnoah3795 2024 they sold out of 2023 Crosstreks one or two month ago. Some other models they have both model years and for the newer one the discount is much less.

[@fp5495]

LOL, they're not journalists, they're just people with a KZbin account and a lot of time on their hands.

[@IssaTejeda]

Don't know where you are but here in CT atdan perkins subaru is msrp and have some availability like a few weeks out

[@davidporter2770]

I am 78, South African, and never miss your shows. In fact you have the best car channel on KZbin. Thank you. 🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@pali_aha]

South Africa's got one of the best designed flag 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@dietmdew845]

Bought a new Crosstrek for my wife who commutes to/from work totalling 80 miles a day in 2018. It now has 115,000 miles on it. It has been an incredible vehicle. 33 mpg highway and has had zero repairs. Nothing but oil and tire changes. We are sticking with another Crosstrek in 2024 when we replace the 2018.

[@danek893]

Did you do CVT fluid change my dealer said after 100k miles.

[@dietmdew845]

@@danek893 no, i tried, they told me its lifetime non serviceable cvt

[@bobcook8576]

The cvt is fully serviceable. Put up on a lift with the car in the drive, you can change the fluid.

[@ij6708]

​@@dietmdew845Good Lord, there's no such thing as lifetime fluids. All fluids break down due to thermal cycling, particle retention, etc..

[@lorenschwiderski]

Does it consume any oil between changes?

[@scott48]

I have a Crosstrek and an outback wilderness. Here’s my two cents cut the chase. The Crosstrek has the best awd system hands down. You’ll never get stuck in a snowstorm period. It’s very reliable. Period. If when something goes wrong it doesn’t cost an arm and leg to fix like a bmw or Audi as example. They hold their value as well. Subaru as mentioned here does do things differently than other car company’s. They actually listen to the consumer and they integrate what the consumers want in their cars. For all the things I loved about my old bmw x5 I can give many others I hated such as reliability and cost of ownership. The Crosstrek is a get up and go no nonsense suv that is really really good which is why you see more and more on the road. Good review here

[@MNice82]

Sounds like a whole bunch of cope becuase you bought a subie😂

[@barrybarnes96]

I'm thinking that if they did indeed listen to their customers they wouldn't have made it with a CVT.

[@edsmith9855]

@@barrybarnes96 Haters got to hate I guess. The primary competitors are the Corolla Cross, HRV, and Kona/Seltos. All three have CVTs, except for the upper trim levels of the Kona/Seltos.

[@Vin-fu1rm]

I thumbs down

[@caryg4638]

Unfortunately, I have to disagree with you. I had a 2020 Forester Sport with dual X-mode and a Crosstrek 2.0 loaner, and the Crosstrek became stuck in a foot of snow and couldn't free itself. To make a long story short, there was a lot of tire spinning and transmission fluid heating smells coming from this thing and a lot of side-to-side motions to no avail, after nearly 5-7 minutes of trying. The Forester, on the other hand, had a similar if not same snow situation, and it not only pulled out, but it pulled out without so much as a hiccup. To be fair, I don't think it's a matter of the all wheel drive system, as Subaru has a good system; I think it's a matter of the CVT not being the most direct drivetrain, and the 2.0 having too little torque. If you don't get that motor to a certain RPM level, it ain't moving. It will rise and then fall to protect the transmission. Again, the Forester, with its 2.5L had absolutely no problem. Also, to be fair, upon reflection, I think it's actually a number of things that could have caused my issue: I think it had something to do with the motor and transmission, like I mentioned above, but perhaps it was the OEM all-season tires.:-) I know...I know... However, despite the all-seasons, I think it could have done it easily if it weighed more. I was driving the car with half-a-tank of fuel and no passengers or luggage, so it likely didn't weigh enough to get traction. The Forester was heavier, so it probably helped it too. Again, it pulled out like a champ. But weight matters just as much as AWD competence.

[@kingkiril]

I just bought my first Subaru. 24 Subaru Crosstrek Sport. I drive about 5,000 miles a year or less. I hope this car will still be reliable and last me without any serious problems.

[@askssk715]

I bought a 2023 Crosstrek Limited back in April. It's my first Subaru. I honestly love driving it.

[@jeffcsMN]

I leased the car today, and I couldnt be happier with the decision. I think it's an amazing value for the money .

[@RobbieAmerican]

Just bought a 2024 Crosstrek sport. Love it so far!

[@pauldichtel6410]

I thought he only worked with Toyota/Lexus products? I went to his shop yesterday. He is a very nice person to deal with. I am taking my car there for some service. He showed me all of my little glitches with my 20 year old Toyota Solara.

[@mrgarrison3516]

I was thinking because the Toyota 86 uses the Subaru boxer engine (for the last 10yrs approx) he's an experienced Subaru mechanic also 🤔

[@ahmadghosheh3104]

He does review other brands, but his shop is Toyota and Lexus. I so visited his shop, super nice mant

[@stephendibari5010]

I wish I lived close to his shop. I have a 2002 Lexus ES300 and he would’ve done all my service since I bought it 2 years ago. Extremely rare breed of a mechanic. Extremely passionate and honest.

[@dg7927]

Toyota owns like 25% of Subaru's parent company or something

[@garynair5143]

When you have his level of skill and attention to detail, any car he fixes will be done at a very high level. He would embarrass a lot if Subaru dealer mechanics

[@Vdeinnar]

The "slowness" of this car is perfect for my just started driving teenager! :)

[@ZeGermanHam]

The 2024 Crosstrek is a great vehicle. That said, I bought a 2023 Crosstrek Limited 2.5L in January after seeing the redesigned 2024 model. Mechanically, they are virtually identical, but I prefer the looks of the previous gen inside and outside, and the 2024 not having physical knobs and buttons for HVAC was a deal breaker for me. I absolutely love my '23 Limited. The 182hp 2.5L engine has plenty of power for regular driving, and the CVT is super smooth, quiet, and efficient. Just a great package overall. I've also worked on cars for over 20 years, and really appreciate how easy Subarus are to work on. They're just well thought out in that regard.

[@miniaddict4534]

I test drive the Crosstrek and Impreza Wagon. And the Crosstrek is 100% a waste of money. It’s a taller Impreza with worse fuel economy.

[@sircasm6578]

The HVAC thing sucks

[@tinhinnh]

esp the oil filter 😁

[@MAYORMcCheesed]

@@miniaddict4534 literally straight from subaru - The Impreza and Crosstrek are both highly fuel-efficient vehicles. Because of their similarities, the two models have identical gas mileage, up to 34/27 MPG highway/city depending on which trim level you select (except for the Crosstrek Wilderness which has a slightly lower MPG rating).

[@erickguillen9958]

QUESTION: IF I AM TRYING TO BUY A SUBURA WITH 2.5L, WOULD YOU RECOMMEND A 2024 OR 2023..?

[@odalysferrer]

I have driven my Subaru Crostrek 2024 Base for more than a month now, and I like it, it is true that it is a noisy engine, but with the cruise control, and the brake that stays fixed, it is wonderful, you don't get tired driving it .

[@tom24865]

By noisy how noisy do you mean. Like if I had a radio going at just a normal volume, let's say 1/4 of the actual volume. Would it still be overpowering. ? I'm really looking into a Subaru. I live in a pretty crappy area with snowstorms. I drive an old Ford and it is really loud. I hate it. I just need to know the level to see if I'm used to the abuse lol.

[@littlestinker9716]

@@tom24865 It's buzzy like the Corolla powertrain if you drive with a heavy foot. If you drive with a light foot, it's fine.

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

Amber turn signals, red brake lights. Love it. Worth pointing out.

[@VideosVlogsThatsIt]

American moment red turn signal

[@bigbean78]

I recall reading something that said this was made mandatory on all new vehicles at some point.

[@bohdanked]

Not in the States. Both colors are allowed, but I guess red only is slightly cheaper.@@bigbean78

[@KevinJDildonik]

Worse, some people think it "looks cool" for the brake light to go off and be the blinker. No dedicated lights. These people are currently sitting in a body shop puffing a vape pen. But auto makers know those people spend a lot of money.

[@censorshipleadstothenwo1237]

​@KevinJDildonik dude how you gonna do me like that. I'm currently in a body shop puffing a vape pen but I don't subscribe to that madness!!

[@pensacola321]

Getting my new Crosstrek tomorrow!!!

[@thatguylooking6908]

How's it been? Thinking of getting one soon maybe!

[@cw4623]

My condolences. Bad car.

[@thatguylooking6908]

@@cw4623 In point form can you give 3 reasons? Would help, thanks. Seems to be a pretty decent car

[@Das_Germaican]

@@thatguylooking6908I have a ‘24 and it’s actually a great car. A lot of people want to complain because it has a CVT or the touchscreen. I also have a ‘20 Forester, no issues so far (knock on wood). The touchscreen on the ‘24 is responsive, mind you, it’s not an iPad. The 2.5l has no problem getting to speed. I babied it a little bit to break it in but it’s fine. I understand it’s not a sports car.

[@WyattUTFT]

@@thatguylooking6908 I have one and I love it. My dad drove mine and bought one himself. Screen can be a little annoying sometimes but its rare and everything else is great so far. Had it since July

[@wwonka52]

At my work we have 3 Subarus for delivery. Two Foresters, and an Impreza. They are all so durable, and fun to drive, and two have over 200,000 miles. I've talked the boss into a new Crosstrek soon.

[@blackbearranchcanada]

We purchased a '24 Crosstrek Limited (2.5L engine) in September. I'm 6'4" and I fit into it pretty nicely. We live 8km (5 mi) down a decent gravel road, and the car absolutely soaks up bumps and washboard (better than my F150 or older Sierra 2500). The LED headlights are fantastic. The 2.5L engine is quite zippy and we have had no issues wanting more speed on the freeway. While I would agree that the infotainment screen needs a bit of improvement, it's pretty good. It should be noted that the temp controls for the dual zone climate control ARE physical buttons, which is nice. Heated seat buttons are great. The "low" is a bit warmer than I'd like but not bad. We put studded Nokian tires on it this winter and the thing is unstoppable! We had about 18" of snow this winter, but lots of icy hard-pack and even on our windy gravel road (uphill to our house), it NEVER slipped. I could not have been more impressed. The AVH button can be put on the main screen of the Infotainment screen (shortcuts). You don't have to go to the vehicle setup screen each time you want to turn it on. The AVH defaults to "Off" each time you start the car ( I assume a safety choice by Subaru?) so you do have to hit the button each time you start driving (if you want to use AVH) , so that's a bit of a pain. I agree that, while the "Auto" button for climate control is customizable (each driver can have their own setting) , it would certainly be nice to be able to customize at least one or two other buttons in that button group. Hopefully a future software update would resolve this. I am really not a fan of the interior lighting. They've used halogen or incandescent lights inside and they're marginal at best, and in the back cargo area they have one small incandescent bulb which is absolutely useless. The lack of ability to change the "X Mode" driving mode while moving is also disappointing. We had a trip last week where, when we left home there was no snow, but at the top of the mountain pass 2 hours later - lots of snow on a steep downhill. It would have been great to change to the Snow mode while driving, but instead we had to pull over, press the X Mode button, then pull back onto the highway. Maybe it's a physical or safety limitation - I don't know. Overall we've been quite happy with our Crosstrek. Fuel economy is quite good, it's remarkably zippy, comfortable, and quite a pleasure to drive. Thanks for doing such an excellent review!

[@loki_wolff]

You should put in some LED bulbs. It's pretty easy to do as the covers just pop off. My friend did that on his WRX

[@pidjones]

If driving a lot on gravel, keep an eye on the CV&DOJ boots.

[@Riley_1955]

It's good you completely disagree with him about it being slow especially from someone that actually drives and owns one .... I guess he thinks it's suppose to be a race car.

[@stanleeikki]

I've had two Subaru Outbacks with the CVT transmission. Both cars perform flawlessly (including in severe ice and snow). Zero issues.

[@Claroboy911]

What’s the farthest you’ve reached in miles?

[@quicksilver_x]

Year? What are your yearly maintenance if more than 10 years old

[@parkerriley918]

I've owned 3 Subarus. An 04 Forester manual with 250k miles. An 09 legacy manual with 115k miles sold. And now an 19 outback with 88k miles. Never had an issue other than proper maintenance. It helps that I build them as well. Take care of them and they will take care of you

[@buttsexandbananapeels]

@@Claroboy911 the CVT in my 2013 Outback went 220k miles before a problem. I have a 2023 Outback and 2024 Crosstrek. These are now “lifetime fluid” units. I don’t believe anything is for life, but drain and fill voids the warranty. Some say you can use cash to buy 5gal of CVT-3 from Subaru. You can monitor and manipulate all electronic controls used for drain and fills on the new units with an inexpensive bidirectional scantool because Subaru calls for servicing these units every 45-60k km in other markets. I don’t plan on experiencing any problems with the newer CVT unit. Do with this information what you will.

[@Claroboy911]

@@buttsexandbananapeels how would you describe your driving?

[@Emen322]

This is one of the best car reviews I've ever seen. I'd love to see 2024 Outback review as I have to decide between Crosstrek or Outback for myself. I hope it will come in the future!

[@Tragick_Sin]

Shut up

[@vinnpu]

The 2.5 liter engine is very sufficient for this car - not slow. In addition, the car is not noisy with the 2.5 L. It's very quiet in stop and go traffic. The point about the AVH button is valid. It should be in a fixed, always available location.

[@danek893]

That depends on what car you came from, if you drive other in the same year you’ll know

[@tpolerex7282]

It is super easy to customize the default button locations and drag the AVH button from the 2nd screen onto the first, Home screen and place it right above the fixed ASS button so it’s always available immediately upon turning on the car.

[@michaelostrowski8630]

@@tpolerex7282That's what I have done in my 2023 Outback.

[@fernandoherranz4095]

I have both Crosstrek 2019 and 2024 Sport and can confidently say that the older one is a lot slower compared to the newer one, but with the paddle shifters, you can get a little snappier response from the engine. The Sport 2.5L is a godsend, but it does sip more gas than the 2.0L. I'm still trying to learn the best way to drive it to maximize efficiency. It's pretty fun!

[@harrahphotoman]

I have heard/read repeatedly how sluggish these engines are. We have 1 '21 Forester Touring with the 2.5 and it performs just fine, cruises easily at 80+ mph, has adequate get up and go to pass easily on the Interstate. We took it into the mountains in Arkansas and it handled them beautifully, did not seem stressed at all. So far, the car has been stellar. Not a single issue with 42K miles on the odometer. I've had a number of different vehicles in my 72 years and this is one of the best. I like the design, quality, fit and finish and, yes, I even like driving it. I'm considering the Crosstrek as a replacement for my 2014 VW Jetta.

[@Marks.Reviews]

Great point about physical buttons. They are much easier to find and use when your on the move.

[@Mac-t4y]

Remember the Blackberry.

[@WorldWideWillem-360]

I have a 2018 Crosstrek and it has exactly that :) ... smaller screen but physical ventilation controls.

[@brucet1043]

I Had one for 2 months now.still love to drive it.fabulous...

[@MichaelNovello-q4i]

I think you hit this right on the mark, especially about the engine and potential seal issues. My daughter's 2016 Crosstrek, the only seal that doesn't leak is the head gasket. Although very well maintained, Subaru dealer says it's very normal for the liquid sealer to fail on all components and no fault of the owner. A $5200 repair! She will just keep an eye on the oil level between changes. Your knowledge is really quite impressive.

[@SolRC]

I really enjoy your reviews. When discussing taste it's subjective. When discussing facts it's objective.

[@Mike_44]

I love your channel, and from the world of Subaru enthusiasts, we thank you for reviewing this car and its components.

[@JamesSchell-x2o]

In December 2023 I test drove a new 2024 Crosstrek Limited. It was nicely appointed, having the 2.5 liter. It was FUN to drive. I really like how well the drivers seat was bolstered keeping you in the seat in corning. The downside for me was the rear seating headroom as I'm 6'2"; No power rear deck lid;No Heated Steering Wheel option. Instead I chose a 2024 Forester Touring that offered those amenities not available on this Crosstrek.

[@jimf.625]

Happy to see Subaru content since my vehicles are Toyota and Subaru. Now that they are teamed up and sharing technology, they will be hard to beat.

[@jamesdavidsmith4033]

My new favorite YT mechanic 10/10

[@RobbieAmerican]

I bought a 2024 Crosstrek Sport & love it. I do wish - due to price - that it had more bells & whistles. However, I still love it

[@John.solo.]

how much did you end up getting it for? just bought a wilderness

[@Subie-Driver]

I’ve never had a problem with Subaru CVTs. We drove our 2011 Outback 255,000 km with no issues. Our 2018 Crosstrek has 145,000 km on and it’s been flawless. Our 2022 Forester only has about 26,000 km on it but I full expect it to run flawlessly for the time we keep it. That’s usually 10 years or more. Our cars get regular service which includes transmission fluid changes at least every 100,000 km. Look after it and it will look after you.

[@stankido9463]

Love your review on the 24 Crosstrek! I had purchased many Honda products in the past! My wife had her 2020 Ex-l CR-V stolen in September 22! There were no cars available except for a 22 CR-V Touring model so I purchased that car! I sold my 2010CR-V to my friend at the same time ! I subsequently purchased a 2023 Crosstrek Limited! I find it to be very comfortable and fun to drive! It is great driving in the winter months when we can get heavy snowfalls here in Quebec! The 2.5 L engine is adequate and I find no problem when accelerating to pass cars on the highway! Another plus is that I got 34 mpg (US gal.) while averaging a speed of 115/km.

[@cedricjackson7521]

It’s a Subaru is basically saying I’m not here to win no beauty pageants I’m here to do a job and serve the purpose

[@58shortboard]

Love your attention to detail and completeness of the review. Most car guys could take lessons from you. I’ve had 2 Subaru’s, a Forester (2001), had it for 10 years and a Crosstrek 6MT (2018), that I sold with 65K miles on it, last month. Zero maintenance on the crosstrek, only oil changes every 6K and new tires at 60K. Ran, so well with zero issues. Great in inclement weather and off-road in the mountains. A bonus, I could sleep in it comfortably, if I didn’t want to set up my tent or it was raining/snowing. I read, that the 2018 had a lot of problems and was one of the worst crosstrek’s to own. Again, I experienced zero problems, but mine was relatively low mileage. Who knows if they were coming? I sold my crosstrek because I wanted a hybrid and better mileage. I consistently got 34 mpg on the highway, but 20-22 in the city, and that’s horrible for such a small car. Would I buy a Subaru again? Yes, looking at the upcoming Baja. Good review, I’ll be checking more out

[@TrilobitesRTasty]

My 2021 2.5 Crosstrek Sport has more than enough acceleration to get on the freeway. I've owned multiple sports cars over the years. The Crosstrek isn't a sports car, but it does everything on the road that I ask it to do.

[@yabbut]

What a great review! I'm picking up my 2024 Crosstrek Onyx (Sport in the US) in a few days. I like to work on my own cars, and this video has more useful technical information in it than all the other 2024 Crosstrek reviews combined. Excellent presentation!

[@antonfernando8409]

How do you like your crosstrek so far?

[@yabbut]

@@antonfernando8409 I love our Crosstrek. For the money, it's an extremely capable car, especially in winter. We did a 6,000 mi (10,000 km) road trip in January, mostly along I-80. There were cars and trucks in the ditch everywhere, but the Crosstrek handled the conditions like a champ. For that trip, I had Michelin Cross Climate 2 tires... they make the Crosstrek amazing in snow.

[@Oscaryt01]

X2

[@BradHebert]

Totally agree about the lack of physical buttons. I want analog volume knobs and AC control knobs.

[@blackbearranchcanada]

The '24 Crosstrek has a physical knob for the radio volume, and for temp controls for driver and passenger climate control.

[@BradHebert]

@@blackbearranchcanada I'm guessing the volume knob is digital though. Mine is digital, and sometimes there is a long delay while the head unit is booting up or switching to backup camera or whatever. It's super annoying.

[@blackbearranchcanada]

@@BradHebert - volume knob on ours is a rotary knob and if you push it in, the radio turns off. There is also a + / - volume control on the steering wheel button cluster.

[@BradHebert]

@@blackbearranchcanada rotary knobs are often digital.

[@joelpfeil7131]

Thanks for the review. My wife drives a 2024 Crosstec, and she absolutely loves the car.

[@imbowser]

i use the sport mode quite a bit. drives much better

[@kl1958]

Which engine do you have?

[@richardturzua1785]

Thank you so much! I bought a 2.5 Sport. Even that guy is slow. But you know what? Perfect for me! Keep doing amazing work and thank you. A million times over.

[@neoamaru]

It's always great and reassuring when an actual mechanic reviews a car that you're shortlisting, as opposed to car enthusiasts or amateur youtubers.. i'm happy to have stumbled upon this channel! you've set it all straight, incl. my doubts about CVT. Thank You!

[@richkurtz6053]

Loved your honest review. All of them. We just bought a 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness. We have 2 Lectric bicycles that we use with a hitch rack, and needed the capacity of a Class III hitch with a 2 inch reciever. Coming from an RV based on a RAM Promaster chassis, the Crosstrek has more than enough power for this 73 year old. The buttonless dash seems to work OK. My wife has an MKX with capacitive touch buttons. The Subaru screen is more sensitive. We added the 4D Tech module to be able to lock the Stop/Start feature to off by default. That was my main complaint.

[@lilredcummins]

As a mechanic myself, I really enjoyed the detailed info on the engine and technical details of the trans, suspension and everything else. My wife and I just ordered a Crosstrek Sport and have been looking at every video available to see what we can learn before the car arrives. I agree with needing a few more fixed buttons or switches, but we will work at moving the software buttons around to get them in the most useable position for us. We are not a young family at age 70'ish and wanted the AWD because of northern Ohio snow and ice. This will be my wife's car and we are transitioning from her 2008 Vibe, so being a little under powered is normal for us. You have to make sure the car is in the "S" mode to get the most power available. I have done considerable research on the new FB25D and I believe this is a noticeable improvement from previous versions of the 2.5. Thanks for this comprehensive review.

[@rightlanehog3151]

I have owned my Vibe since 2005 and it runs as well as the day it left the factory. If Toyota still built the Matrix would you have switched to Subaru?

[@lilredcummins]

If they offered AWD I would have definitely considered it. BTW, our 2008 still runs as it should, I just thought it was time for a change as it just hit 100,000 miles. @@rightlanehog3151

[@fred4080]

I have the 2024 CT and I agree with your comments. I just wish someone could explain to me in simple layman's terms how the AWD system works on the Crosstrek. Explanations seem to vary and contradict each other from various sources.

[@Queefstar]

Don't work yourself up too hard on the details. I've had mine for less than a week and my sport runs amazing. Granted I'm coming from a 2012 Elantra so simple things like heated seats are amazing to me lol. I haven't had a chance to test out "S" Mode since I'm still breaking it in, but based on the past few days, you probably wont need it in most cases. it carries it's weight very well, it does go high on the rip'ems a lil but it's nothing extreme. At the end of the day, I see it as a light SUV that I can take off road exactly as he states it. Not up mountains or rock crawling, but at least pushing it to what it should be able to do. I hope you get yours soon by the way, and I hope you guys take it on as many adventures as you can.

[@SF.Automotive]

Yay! Thank you for finally reviewing a subaru, I used to own a 2011 Subaru STI and I sold it with 270,000km (~160,000 miles) and it still had its original engine, transmission and turbo. I was surprised by how reliable it was for an older high mileage Subaru STI. Keep up the great work Car Care Nut!!

[@evoman44]

I still have a 2005 WRX with the last of the 2.0L EJs with 136k miles. It has been very reliable and fun to drive. I would only sell it to upgrade to a new WRX wagon if Subaru ever brings it back or for a GR Corolla.

[@nerdsunscripted624]

That shouldn’t be impressive. My 2015 Lincoln has 330,000kms on it and the engine and transmission are original and run like new. I’m about to sell it and get a new car but if people are surprised to still have the original engine at only 270,000kms maybe I should look at other brands. Even if they require more frequent mild maintenance, my ford/Lincoln’s have always lasted me 324,000km/200,000 miles or longer on all original drivetrain. And I then sell it to someone else who usually drives them another 1-200,000 kms before they blow up

[@SF.Automotive]

@@nerdsunscripted624 is your Lincoln abused regularly and tuned? My old Sti had 5 prev owners and it was originally a lease. I agree that we shouldn’t be surprised by 270k on the original engine but people keep pretending like these cars blow up every other year.

[@nerdsunscripted624]

@@SF.Automotive my Lincoln has a 60 mile commute every day in which I’m usually going around 90mph the entire time. I gas on it a lot and brake hard. Hard enough that a set of brake rotors don’t last me very long as they warp. I don’t have it tuned for performance as it’s fast enough for me after the first tune giving me 370hp. Nothing crazy but can embarrass v6 mustangs sometimes. Looking at an outback since I’m moving to a new city where I need to have all wheel drive as the city basically doesn’t plow the snow off of half the roads in town and it’s pretty for northern US so I need good snow capability. Recently we got roughly 40cm of snow in a single storm. But in fair weather I intend on still going 90mph/145kmh for most of my interstate commuting and I want something that’s going to last as I drive 48,000 km per year.

[@stopthebs77]

​@@SF.Automotive Agreed, that dickhead was retarded AF, and definitely doesn't know jack shit if a) he doesn't think that 270k is impressive, and b) he drives a fuckin Lincoln 😂😂😂😂

[@BobSperber]

My 2008 Outback refuses to freakin’ die. I just put new CV joints in at 140,000 miles and that was the only thing besides I ever had to do besides normal maintenance. That was a dirt cheap investment, especially considering the prices of new AND used cars these days.

[@djhollowman9567]

First time viewing the channel. If there was ever a "car guy" I'd take my vehicles to, it's this guy. Any day. I can't stress enough how much I appreciate this guy's point of view. Straight forward, honest, easy to understand. Thank you for this review.

[@Bornintheseat]

Most people finding value in the all wheel drive system are those living in a snow climate where it makes a tremendous difference. Essentially any day can be an off road experience driving to work. At an intersection on a snowy/icy road waiting for your turn to make a left (in n. America) turn through traffic, its really nice when the cars just powers forward instead of spinning front tires lingering in the oncoming lane. Ive been a Subaru owner for 20 years and not changing anytime soon.

[@ivanandreevich8568]

The vents on the wheel archers are to reduce air pressure on the highway at high speeds. I believe not to cool the brakes.

[@Central-Scrutinizer]

Mourning the loss of the 6MT in both the Forester and the Crosstrek. Agree that it would be great if they put D4S in all their cars. Huge Subaru fan. If they offered a D4S Forester with a 6MT I would buy one. If Subaru CVTs turn out extremely reliable and economical to replace/repair, then I won't worry as much. Want buttons and knobs, not everything on a screen that forces me to take my eyes off the road. Keep it simple, reliable, rugged, ergonomic and affordable. Don't want a rolling entertainment centre with surveillance as a service.

[@mauriciogarcia4190]

I agree 100%. These little cons on their own are not that bad but combined are enough to prevent me from buying one at this point. You would think that a company like Subaru would embrace mechanical simplicity and follow the philosophy of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” similarly to Toyota but they seem to be more out of touch than ever with what consumers actually want. The average Subaru buyer these days isn’t really a “car person/enthusiast” so all these gimmicks and complicated equipment are frustrating for folks that just want a good simple reliable vehicle that is also great in snow.

[@mrofnocnon]

All good points. However CVT's will never be cheap to repair, replacement is always the best option as once they begin to fail friction on the belt releases metal particles in the gearbox which pretty much destroys everything. And NO subaru's CVT's are still junk no comparison to Toyota's eCVT which is still not that good.

[@VC30577]

I have the 2021 model and I love my 2.5 engine + actual physical climate controls. Love it!

[@galupproperties3098]

Part of the reason I love my 23 Prius. Physical climate buttons.

[@jeffer1101]

We checked out a Crosstrek about 6 months ago. We liked it, but it was a bit too small for what we wanted. We ended up taking a Forester out after and it was perfect so bought it. The Wilderness model (they had one on the lot, which was perfect). We love it. It's great to drive and I am fine with CVTs as my Venza has one too (although, an eCVT). Subaru's CVT is an inhouse unit that is better than the JATCO units out there. From what I've read, the key to minimizing issues with Subarus is staying on top of regular maintenance. We always do that anyway so I'm sure we'll be fine. CVT and diff fluid changes every 60,000 miles/5 years. Oil changes every 5,000 miles/6 months. There is also some coolant changes and brake fluid flushes periodically as well. Regarding the power output, I was worried it might be "slow", especially since the turbo engine option is no longer available on the Forester. Honestly, after the break in period, it has plenty of zip to it. The Wilderness model has a taller gear ratio in the CVT (for more torque off road), which may help a bit (at the expense of a bit of fuel economy), but overall, I don't miss the turbo at all. It's not slow around town at all, and on the highways, it's not really behind other vehicles in its class (most are around 180-200 HP), unless they have an optional engine option (like Mazda's 2.5T, for example).

[@ericripley9739]

Agree with you 100%. Have a ‘17 Outback with around 190,000 km. I do my maintenance similar to yours . Have had the transmission fluid changed twice. Hope to get many more years of service from it.

[@vipvip-tf9rw]

the thing is, more people buy low hp cars, that's why turbo forester is no more, it was good, but people want less power

[@ericripley9739]

@@vipvip-tf9rw Well there was a choice before. You didn't have to get a turbo. The normal engine was available. I read somewhere that the turbo made up only a small % of sales

[@ericripley9739]

Good points .Agree 100% with you. I am on my 3rd Subaru. All have had the 2.5. Enough power for me. Learned to drive on an original Mini. Had a couple of beetles, a Vega and a couple of K cars. Compared to them, 175hp is plenty.

[@vipvip-tf9rw]

@@ericripley9739 yeah, eco thing destroyed that car

[@Jimteger]

I just purchased the 2024 CrossTrek with the 2.5 litre engine. So far, this vehicle has exceeded my expectation. Just for a reference point, my last 5 vehicles have been BMWs.

[@TexasStormChaser]

Bragging you've owned "5 bmws" and now own a 35k car that does 0-60 in 9 seconds that somehow that exceeds your expectations leads me to believe you are just gaslighting yourself because you bought an overpriced pile of crap that is built worse with less features and slower than a Hyundai that sells for 18k

[@franktheballer23]

​@@TexasStormChaserwhat Hyundai are you referring to?

[@TexasStormChaser]

@@franktheballer23 Every 2024 model sold.

[@franktheballer23]

@@TexasStormChaser you're saying every 2024 model would be this compact and would work as an offroader and have the same if not better off-road features?

[@TexasStormChaser]

@@franktheballer23 Subaru is not an off-roader. It does not have any off road features such as low range or locking differentials. It does however share exactly the same features as a Hyundai Kona, the base model (4cly, cvt, awd) however the N-Line Kona does have a superior engine and transmission over a Wilderness (Turbo 4cly, 8spd auto, awd) and costs less too.

[@yummytummy88]

I just bought the 2023 Forester Sport Ed. It has a 2.5L which is adequate power for someone who is no longer looking to got 80/90 mph on the high way. The 4 wheel drive is amazing and living in the north east, I will not fear the bad weather as before. Assuming I do 3-5K miles for oil change, I hope it will last for the next 15 years without major repairs bill. I switched the Forester from he Accent due to the milage efficiency and the car is made in Japan. Hate loss the Turbo charge engine and the extra 60+ horse power but made it back with saving on fuel and repair cost against the turbo in 10 years.

[@cyu601]

Neighbor’s 2021 Forester cvt went out at 30k miles. Bought it brand new.

[@thinkinginpictures4071]

@@cyu601 Well you have people on here saying they've gotten well over 100k with the CVT. That's the thing though. If they go bad out of warranty you're SOL. No cheap fix other than replace it.

[@brightmanfan]

Own a '16 Crosstrek that was my commute vehicle. It has the pre '18 2.0L (148hp) was okay when I was commuting as I did not need to take the freeway to work. I am now retired, but still will keep this Subaru. I thought of upgrading but don't care for the direct injection only engines, my Subaru has port injection which helps to keep the back of the intake valves cleaner, wished Subaru offered dual injection engines. My '16 Subaru hasn't had any issues, keep it maintained, no leaks anywhere, and doesn't burn oil.

[@Thanir]

I have a 22 Crosstrek Sport and I love it, amazing snow car. I looked in to Toyota and Mazda, but due to the amount of deep snow I need to drive through, I went back to Subaru because of their AWD system, its something I can trust in a foot of snow. As someone who came from a WRX, I was not that disappointed with the power of the 2.5L, even at elevation it gets the job done for me.

[@ontarioman6301]

I have no problems with our cx5 or cx 50. Most awd can handle snow

[@rayhasumi1671]

A lot people like to say the 2.5 L is slow but 0-60 is sub 7 -8 seconds is not bad at all for a car this size. The torque makes it quick off the line too and keeps with cars like the civic si.

[@turo3066]

I too find the power from the 2.5 just right. Just enough power for everyday. As an active empty nester my hotrod days are long gone. Bought a 24 Limited. The car fits my lifestyle perfectly. Is a long time Toyota owner I was a little concerned about long-term reliability. Time will tell.

[@tails300]

The 2.5 is ok for most people but it’s still sluggish in my opinion. Not fan of there CVTs either as hybrid owner I prefer an eCVT much more.

[@anaveragehuman2937]

I had a 2012 Impreza Sport Limited Hatchback, really liked it, and could go anywhere like a mountain goat but it had some problems. Oil consumption but not enough to be covered under warranty Seat design flaw, squeaks developed quickly Very slow with a cvt never reached the advertised mpgs went through multiple wheel bearings I really hope they made some quality improvements over the years.

[@johnhenry5197]

I have a '22 Limited. As someone else mentioned, the pre '24's have manual HVAC controls. Also, FWIW, all Crosstreks have roof rails standard. (edit: 2024 base does not. Thanks for the correction.) With the bulk of my driving being rural, I routinely exceed the stated fuel economy numbers published. For anybody out there considering one, the 2.5 is the way to go! Keep in mind the new Wilderness edition has a lower final drive ratio which will reduce your fuel economy, so if you're not serious about off roading, I would suggest the Sport or Limited. I routinely average 36 or 37 mpg. Thanks for your in depth review.

[@matt_SurfaceOfTheSunPhx]

I have the 2024 LT and didn't notice any acceleration/power issues where the speed limits are 75-85. Actually no issues with the vehicle at all except have to fight the wife to drive it. ;)

[@PhilipNeuer8855]

You tube too many commercials 😮

[@brianbabicki5488]

Thanks for mentioning fuel stats and the wilderness gear ratio effecting gas mileage . I really like this car but hate the stupid looking side body cladding very Toyota esk ugliness and the Soletera really ugly cladding . If you want to sell an EV dont`t make it ugly .

[@johnhenry5197]

I was happy with my Impreza with the 2.0, but I appreciate the extra ponies.@@matt_SurfaceOfTheSunPhx

[@ZeGermanHam]

Minor correction to your comment: For 2024, the base model no longer comes with roof rails. So, most but not all Crosstreks come with roof rails standard now. Used to be that all trim levels had roof rails, but not anymore for 24. There are a number of cost cutting measures Subaru undertook with the 24 model compared to the previous gen, and this is one of them.

[@geeeee8268]

It's an exercise in tactless overuse of plastic cladding if you ask me. CVT is the only way Subaru can stay EPA compliant. Those engines are not the epitome of fuel economy. All in all it's not too bad, especially with 2.5. But I would really like to see turbo version with a stick.

[@eskieman3948]

A LOT of people would. There are a few older Forester XTs still around, some with a manual trans. I've been told that they were a blast to drive.

[@geeeee8268]

@@eskieman3948 I tried to find one. It's like hunting a unicorn.

[@jasoncormier9588]

Love the video. I just got my 2024 crosstrek limited. I love it. I find it more than adequate for getting on the highway and passing other vehicles.

[@harrahphotoman]

I agree. '21 Forester with 2.5 and it has plenty of power.

[@christopherwelch5568]

It's not the most reliable car? I disagree. I drove one for 8 years with very minimal wear and tear problems. In Texas... where our summers are 110 for almost 3 months. It was very reliable and the fuel economy can't be beaten. You're right... it's not a performance car. It is underpowered but the all-wheel drive doesn't make it feel underpowered. I just sold it and got half of what I paid for it and bought this one. It's NOTHING like my old one. It's quiet, drives and handles like a bigger, more expensive car. It is so nice to drive.

[@somecharactersnotallowed1319]

Theyre reliable but at the end of the day your odds of a CVT transmission shitting out are higher than an automatic. 8 years also isn't a long time unless we're talking about Jeeps or Chrystler lol

[@annoyed-b3y]

I purchased a 2013 subaru impreza fixed a few things, new drive belt, battery, new shocks. these cars are just fun to drive feels like a sport car.

[@bohdanked]

Was looking forward for a Subaru review on this channel. I own two Subarus The biggest complain I have with my 2023 model is the lack of physical hvac, heated seats and brake hold controls. I wish they made the screen 25-30% smaller but put the actual buttons.

[@kyle-qw5yx]

This is the exact reason I got a '22 in '23

[@matt.canada]

Are you referring to the Outback? The 2023 Crosstrek is the last model year that has physical HVAC buttons. I have it and I'm so glad the physical buttons are there. The 2024 model Crosstrek as shown in this video is brand new.

[@bohdanked]

@@matt.canada In my case I was referring to the Ascent, 2022 had physical buttons but 2023 did not any more. The Outback started using this large screen earlier I think in 2020. Looks like Subaru is switching all it's models to the same infotainment system with touchscreen HVAC controls, probably to save a few bucks, witch is sad.

[@michaelostrowski8630]

@@bohdanked I don't mind this screen at all. With all the important "buttons" moved to the first screen and the physical warmer/cooler buttons that are there I find it a delight to use. Now, if we could permanently disable the Auto Start-Stop...

[@michaelgibson3461]

@@michaelostrowski8630 They sell a work around for $100 that turns off the stop/start feature every time you turn the ignition on. It’s simple to install. They have a permanent soft key to turn it off on the infotainment system though.

[@kavehoskoui8292]

In Canada, roof racks are standard. The CTV with FB20 is fantastic! The 2024 Crosstrek is a true Swiss Army knife of cars. Does things well and does it with simplicity!

[@philsince59]

I've loved your Toyota Lexus content for a long time so it was great to see you do a subaru. Knowing the Toyota reliability and not being able to afford a 4runner, I bought a 23 Crosstrek sport because the Corolla cross was just too boring and I've seen too many RAV4 stuck in the snow plus the dealers just want to rake you over the coals for a RAV4 like they're solid gold or something. As far as the speed and power, I find it completely adequate as I can easily merge 60 to 80 on an on-ramp and can Cruise 80-90 + on the highway and pass at 100 plus if need be. I wasn't looking for a performance car. I won't lie though, I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the CVT and the overall longevity of the car lol.

[@bjsimon802]

I live in Canada, and my Rav4 compete with some of truck in snow, and we getting alot of snow.

[@ShakingAmericaPodcast]

As a Minnesotan, in my experience Rav 4 s are slightly behind Honda and Mazda and way behind Subaru when it comes to AWD performance.

[@Noah_E]

I bought a 2013 as soon as it was announced they were coming to America in 2012 and was the first to get one in VA, to the point that it wasn't even in the DMV's system yet to register it. I liked a lot about it, but the lack of acceleration ruined it, and it burned oil from day one. I traded it for a Forester XT that I still have and love. Lesson learned, don't buy a car sight unseen and never buy a first model year, even if it's been in other markets for a while.

[@stevensmith1881]

We went with the Outback because my wife didn't like the look of the Crosstrek. Its engine is a little loud getting up to speed, but it quiets down at highway speeds. I had to get used to the total slow dog that it is (non turbo model) since I drive a V6 Highlander every day. However, it's not bad on the freeway passing a car because it will rev up and get from 65 to 75 pretty quickly. We have the Touring model and they added a lot of seals and sound dampening material, so if road noise is a big deal go for the Limited or Touring models.

[@eskieman3948]

And if you think that the Outback is too slow, just order the XT. Problem definitely solved.

[@davidanderson8469]

How many miles?

[@stevensmith1881]

@@davidanderson8469 just passed 10,000 miles

[@TheSleve22]

Three Subarus in my family: Crosstrek, Forester, Legacy. All with 2.5 engines. No issues with acceleration or “slow”

[@vipvip-tf9rw]

it's normal, but for some reason, people want FAST

[@abro7735]

Thank you for reviewing the Crosstrek. I really like my Forester and I am looking forward to purchasing a Crosstrek soon!

[@fanom1]

I am 68, bought the last of the manual crosstreks in 2023....Love it...

[@Conrad711]

Could not believe they kept the same engines yet eliminated the manual, such a shame. Great overview of the new model.

[@omarpulido8502]

Automatic gets better gas mileage. Regulations are getting more strict each year. It's a no brainer to kill off the less fuel efficient transmission.

[@eddiethewhale3268]

Nobody was buying manual Crosstreks and the manual was only available for the cheap Base model. Also every Crosstrek comes with paddle shifters, which is the closest thing to a manual if you want a manual Crosstrek.

[@omarpulido8502]

@@eddiethewhale3268 paddle shifters on a CVT transmission are not the same as a manual. Manual transmission is a lot cheaper to maintain and operate and simpler. CVT has a lot more failure points. And is more fun.

[@davec8921]

Take rate on manuals are extremely low and continuing lower. Unless it's an enthusiast car they're all gone or will be very soon.

[@eddiethewhale3268]

@@omarpulido8502 which is precisely why I said it’s the closest thing to a manual in a car that doesn’t offer a manual transmission anymore.

[@jerryq1000]

I have an '18 Outback and a '19 Ascent. NO issues at all with either transmission. The Outback is averaging 25 mpg+ in city driving; 30-32 on the road. The Ascent's mpg is about 10% less; heavier and has a turbo engine. I tow a boat (15-1700 lbs) with the Outback and average almost 21 mpg. I've owned every major US brand, Toyotas, Volvos and a Mercedes...these Subaru's are as good or better than any car I've had. I am a nut about maintenance and change the oil & filter every 4,000 miles. I'll get the CVT serviced at 60K on both. We wanted to look at couple of Toyotas when we bought the Ascent, but the local dealership was in the process of being sold and had nearly zero inventory.

[@pauldellie9068]

How about a review of the 2024 Forrester? Thank you for your reviews.

[@pjsanab]

it's very similar to this vehicle in many ways like motor, transmission, ride height, center display panel.... The pros of the Forester, it's cabin space is bigger and more useful than Crosstrek or Outback, the best visibility I ever had on a vehicle (to the point you feel like you have owned the vehicle for many years on the test drive), the tall cabin space provides plenty of clearance for the taller riders and the thing I love the most about it is the panoramic sunroof. The cons of the Forester are it doesn't get the great gas mpg (25mpg~) you'll get on a Crosstrek (33mpg~) (or even the Outback 30mpg~) due to aerodynamics, it's noisier than the Outback, it's taller cabin space is also susceptive to much more sunlight exposure than a normal vehicle, which makes the cabin warmer during summer (A/C on blast and tinted windows for the rescue) and blocking the sun meanwhile driving is a bit more challenging. My wife managed to crack the windshield several times on the Forester, I kept asking her how and she never knew how or why. If you ask me, I prefer the Forester based on looks and the inside cargo space, but the Outback is the one I'll buy. We bought two Forester (2015 & 2016) and both of them had a rattle noise that came from the dash upper display. The Outback (2016) came with a bunch of upgrades for not much more and it has been bulletproof.

[@HAL-vu8ef]

I had a 2.5 CVT Forester from new in 2016, did 230,000km of hard driving in 7 years. About 10% of that was off road as I live in a remote rural area and my house was 6km drive down a rough dirt road just to get to a bitumen road. The car never failed me once.

[@vzi123]

Moved out to the Canadian Rockies this past summer and got a brand new Crosstrek base model, I definitely recommend the base since I prefer the split touchscreen with more physical buttons. Very happy with the car overall!

[@ijohnson190]

It's funny you say that, when I went to test drive the sales guy kept looking at me funny bc I said I prefer the split screen and turn key of the base model. Subaru is the first I drove where I like the base better than any of the bells and whistles.

[@vzi123]

@@ijohnson190 agreed, the key was also a big factor for me. Luckily, my sales person was of the same mind and had told me to just get the base since the higher trims touchscreen was awful haha.

[@bunmeng007]

Subaru is such a unique automaker. Im glad they went conservative with the look of this all new model. The subaru way! They do need to bring back buttons. Not a fan controlling everything from the infotainment screen

[@lindathomas2407]

Thanks for picking the Crosstrek to review--a direct competitor to the Corolla Cross. More competitors to review: the Honda HR-V and the new Hyundai Kona. Keep up the good work!

[@CellCrafts-eg4tt]

Really really like your reviews man. Best way to tackle it is using your methods. Most of the reviews online treat it like we are at the dealership and they are giving "the expert salesman" outlook instead of an objective one. Keep up the good work.

[@markwisner3972]

Great Review! I have a 2024 Crosstrek Limited with the 2.5L engine. 4 months and 3.2K miles. I feel it's acceleration is adequate. Yes, you can't keep up with a Mustang or a Tesla, but it is not meant to. I have been driving FWD cars for 40yrs. I was surprised at how much I really noticed how the lack of torque steer made driving the car so much more enjoyable. Both front drive shafts are equal in length, so there is no torque steer pulling you to one side or the other when you accelerate. Another things I like about the car is, when driving it around town, there is very little road noise for a small car. It is quieter than my wife's 2021 Rav4 Hybrid. Yes the engine is noisy when accelerating but when you are cruising, it is very quiet. On the highway, it is almost as loud as our RAV4. Wagons, SUV's etc seem to always be louder on the highway than a sedan.

[@fred4080]

I agree about the sound level. The CT is soooo quiet in town.

[@turo3066]

Amazing that you and I pretty much have the same experience. Just bought a 24 Limited after years of owning Toyotas. It does seem that my new Crosstrek is quieter than my wife's 21 Rav Hybrid!

[@ce7545]

I have bought a MY 24 crosstrek for general family use. Three boys of driving age. The car is well made, has everything required in a modern vehicle and has all the modern safety equipment. Full time 4wd is a great bonus. It might be slow but thats great if my kids are driving. Dont buy it if you want rapid acceleration. It is not for those people I CC Nut is spot on-"you get a lot of car for the price"

[@jasonczfan8658]

My daughter just bought her first car, a 2021 Crosstrek with the 2.5L. The AWD system was the biggest selling point as she is stationed in Wyoming so this will help in the snow. We've never owned a Subaru so hopefully it is a good car for her.

[@strayxray]

I’d love to see a review on a turbo engine (Outback or Ascent).

[@PassionimageLin]

+1 vote!

[@wadesautoresto1450]

Thanks for reviewing a Subaru. You give us the technical perspective we are looking for.

[@ornative7514]

It's also a good car for anyone enjoys doing some offroad plus being comfortable onroad. Just got back from a 2500 mile trip in my 23 Ctek 2.5. All kinds of weather & roads, no problem. CVT no issue. I've owned other Subarus, all with CVTs. I don't get what the problem with them is. As far as being slow, never had a problem merging or passing. And I was driving on the freeway at 80 - 85 mph. Gas mileage between 27 & 30 mpg. As far as I'm concerned it's a good everyday & roadtrip car.

[@eskieman3948]

There are two types of people who don't like the Subaru CVT, 1) The "stomp & stab" drivers (stomp on the gas, stab the brakes), which CVTs (and most other cars) do not react very well to, and, 2) Clueless clowns that "heard" about CVTs, or some cretin said that the Subaru CVTs were junk, so they parrot the same BS. My '22 Subaru Outback XT? Does just fine, both the wife & I like it, and, for the most part, you don't even know you're driving a vehicle with a CVT. And we have no problem getting MPG numbers around the EPA estimates.

[@petayV8]

Regarding the CVT. The people who complain about them being unreliable are the people who never maintain/service them. They just require more frequent oil changes and servicing - no big deal, i do mine in my garage

[@Th3Think3r]

@@eskieman3948 not that I am a Subaru apologist but I was glad he mentioned Subaru CVTs are made in-house and not by JATCO. It is mind boggling how many people I've seen spread misinformation about Subaru CVTs still being made by JATCO. It's still not has bad as the misinformation about head gasket issues though.

[@turo3066]

​@@petayV8you are spot-on about most people not keeping up with basic maintenance especially for the CVT. I owned a first-generation CT that reached 302k miles before being totaled by my teenager. I did all the maintenance myself because I don't trust anyone to do the work properly. Only issue I had was a wheel bearing going out prematurely that was covered under warranty.

[@davep2945]

The Subaru CVT if serviced properly is good for well over 250,000 miles with the most common problem being bad shift solenoids which are fairly easy to replace. When a Subaru CVT fails under warranty Subaru often just replaces the entire thing regardless of the problem giving the impression that a greater percentage are failing catastrophically than actually are. Once you get used to a good CVT it's quirks become inconsequential and it's benefits are taken for granted until you drive a car with a regular transmission. CVT's hold cruise control speed light years better than any conventional transmission and unless you have the very latest 8 to 10 speed transmissions that are very dialed in the cruising nature of a good CVT is buttery smooth. The early Nissan and Honda CVT's were terrible for different reasons but both have gotten better while the Subaru and Toyota were good to start with and have only improved. If you take care of you Toyota or Subaru CVT properly it won't be the transmission that gives you your first major problem. And, yes, folks, I'm aware they do fail but at almost the same rate as conventional transmissions. Which is a point a lot of folks gloss over. Conventional transmissions haven't suddenly become impervious to failure just because the CVT exists.

[@judahnanas9772]

I went from a 2017 Outback with the 3.6 (256 hp) to a 2024 Crosstrek with the 2.5 (182 hp). I feel it's lacking cause I used to have a heavy foot on the gas pedal... and I think sound insulation was better on the Outback. Still like my new car and with the weight difference between the 2, I think the handling is way better (less boat feel). In the end, I would take a 2.4 turbo Crosstrek anyday!

[@vipvip-tf9rw]

yeah ob is premium from subaru, while xv is cheap option, so less or no insulation

[@zongyanwang8036]

Love my Subaru and love this channel.

[@gpalmerify]

Overall good video, was listening for comments about safety, which many people buy Subarus for but didn't hear. For instance, the construction used to stop collision intrusion into the cabin and many more features even Japanese cars at their price point cheap out on. Also didn't see a drive test to comment on handling. Subarus experience with rally racing shows when driving with tight turns and slick roads. Even timid drivers will relax after experiencing the predictable response.

[@turo3066]

Have been a Toyota guy for a long time. My employer bought a couple of these for sales in NE. The abuse the sales team abuse the heck of them and they held up very well. Care Car Guy definitely helped me make the decision to gice this a leap of faith. I got a really good deal on a 24 and have no regrets. The only thing I don't care for is lack of physical buttons for HVAC. The 2.5 upper trims are noticeably quieter and peppier than the 2.0. Easy to DIY. Hope I can get 15 years out of it.

[@omarpulido8502]

The FB20 engine is built in Japan and has a worldwide appeal and the FB25 is tailored towards the US market. Rapid warm up with the FB25 makes sense since the target demographic in the US is the Northeast/Pacific Northwest/Colorado where it is very cold.

[@GuiVendrame]

What about the Canadian FB25? As far as I know these come directly from Japan

[@philsince59]

One reason I pulled the trigger on a 23 sport instead of waiting for a 24 Wilderness was the 2.5 engine last year made in Japan.

[@CoolPilot]

@@philsince59 Parts are still made in Japan, they are just being assembled in the US which is the case with the new Crosstrek Wilderness.

[@kostadinustavalkov1902]

​@CoolPilot that's where the problem starts, Indiana can't fix their highways ,can't clean them in the winter,ect. Why would we trust them to build this one correctly

[@philsince59]

I realize the parts are made in Japan and just assembled in Indiana, and I hope I don't sound like a terrible person but I just picture a discontented American auto worker who's late for their break putting together my lovingly engineered Japanese car as compared to a Japanese auto worker whose whole life is entirely devoted to the company lol. Same with Toyotas made in Kentucky, Hondas made in Ohio, Hyundais and Mercedes made in Alabama, BMW's made in South Carolina etc. If I wanted a GM, Ford, or Stelantis product (owned by Fiat ick!) that would be fine.

[@markkennedy5335]

I had a 2016 Outback with a 2.5. It never set any speed records but never failed me when I pulled out to pass. Did I need extra time with a passing manoeuvre yes. Saying that the 2.5 can only be a Welcome Bonus in the Crosstrek. I can’t imagine it being as slow as you say it is. Great circle around the car just the same.👏👏

[@rpiian]

I don't want to scare any Subaru owners away. As we had everything replaced under warranty and had a mostly positive experience... However... I had a '14 WRX for 10 years and recently took over my wifes '12 Forester after selling the WRX for a Pilot to accommodate our 3rd kid. WRX had rod knock at 20kmi, 2 transmission rebuilds, steering rack replaced, and 3 clutch rebuilds by 30kmi. After that it was pretty reliable/enjoyable. The Forester had oil consumption issues and burned so much oil that it went dry in 1000mi, right around 99kmi. Motor was replaced under warranty. Still consumes ~1qt oil per 5kmi. Other than that, it's been running strong for 170kmi. Even towing our popup camper (4EAT helps here). We'll run the Forester into the ground, if I'm honest, it's been a great car for our family. Compared to the Pilot, it SEEMs small, loud, clunky, and SLOW. But it's super functional, with great visibility, and tons of space (even fitting car seats 3-wide). I'd venture to say it's probably the best Forester ever made, being pre-CVT with a bulletproof transmission. If you buy a Subaru new, BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. We both used ours, and got our money's worth, by the skin of our teeth, as well.

[@aliullah1014]

I drive a 2019 Crosstrek Sport and while I don't race, I find myself drive past cars all the time whether it is when the light switches to green or I overtake someone. It is my fun dad car.

[@BigBadJohnDiesel]

I was really thinking about buying a Crosstrek. Ended up with a Mazda CX5, because the Crosstrek employs a cvt. I absolutely love the CX 5!

[@powertools2375]

Good for you

[@tim8295]

I had a CX-5, minimal leg room and terrible gas mileage for the size of car.

[@powertools2375]

@@tim8295 careful the cx5 fanboys are in full force

[@nothere6991]

Yea i was debating on a mazda cx5 and crosstrek... I went with the crosstrek because the gas milage was better... But the cx5 is a way better looking car than the crosstrek.......

[@gingerpietka8426]

Good luck! Staring 300,000 in the face with my 2014 CX5. 298200 right now with a 260 mile daily commute. Better than T Corolla and Honda Crv so far.

[@ruckinehround6965]

Bought a 2018 manual and passed it on to my son for his first car… I do all the maintenance, early oil changes are recommended on the direct injection . Great video.

[@1Demifo]

Best car review videos on KZbin!!! Gives all the info u need. Thanx

[@johnw817]

We have a 2017 Prius and a 2020 Subaru Impreza. I know Impreza is at the low end of Subaru's line-up and therefore in many ways it's not comparable. For safety reason, I will say that I prefer the Prius's radar system over Subaru's Eyesight which is also on the Impreza. Here is why. The Prius's system will shut off when the sensors in the front of the car get dirty like when driving on slushy snow and your cruise control will shut down with it. The Eyesight system relies on the cameras which will shut off if the cameras cannot see well enough like in dense (or even not so dense) fog. Now, I don't mind the radar system shutting off on snowy weather. You shouldn't be driving using your cruise control anyway. But I would prefer to know what's in front when I am driving in heavy fog. The Prius's radar will allow me to do this whereas Eyesight won't.

[@cjpriustt]

Good point

[@ivanandreevich8568]

Honestly I thought this car is hella quiet 😂 compared to first gen Crosstrek. The suspension on this going over bumps.. holy shit it's fucking amazing. If you live in an area with shit roads, give it a shot.