I know it’s going to be a great week when I have a Subaru SUV. Whether it’s the Forester, the Outback, the Ascent, or a Crosstrek like I currently have, it doesn’t matter, you can bet I’m a fan. I have a lot of respect for the small Subaru company, not only for their vehicles, but for what Subaru stands for. They donate to good causes, they take good care of Subaru dealers, and the love they have for dogs.

So I spent a very enjoyable week with the all-new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport, a compact SUV. The Sport sits right in the middle of the 5 trim levels in the Crosstrek lineup. My two favorite features that come standard on Subi SUVs are the full-time symmetrical all-wheel drive and the EyeSight safety system, two features that I believe are best in class in the automotive industry and that I often talk about on the Car Pro Show.

Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system continuously distributes power to all four wheels, providing excellent grip in snow, rain or rough terrain, and this also applies to the Sport package. This is all part of a new trend I’m observing: it’s called overlanding. The ability to go anywhere off-road you want, but still be a pleasant vehicle for everyday use.

EyeSight monitors traffic with two cameras mounted high on the windshield. It optimizes cruise control and helps keep the vehicle back in lane if you drift out of your lane. The pre-collision braking feature can even apply full braking force in emergency situations. It works incredibly well and one listener to the show in Cleveland is convinced it saved his wife’s life. I don’t doubt that for a minute.

Exterior

The 2024 is sleeker than previous versions and actually quite attractive. The Sport has a lot of cladding on the outside, not necessarily for aesthetic reasons, but to protect the vehicle from obstacles.

The 18-inch black alloy wheels and all-season tires look great, and you’ll notice the yellow sport accents inside and out. There’s a nice spoiler at the back and a functional roof rack at the top.

Drivetrain

Under the hood is the larger of the two engines available, the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine that makes 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a CVT (continuously variable transmission) that’s shifted via paddle shifters on the steering wheel. With the paddle shifters, the transmission shifts like a regular 8-speed transmission. While I’m not normally a fan of CVTs, this one is smooth, doesn’t feel laborious, and the paddle shifters actually make a big difference. As a side note, the first Subaru CVT I ever drove was in 1985, so the folks at Subaru have perfected it.

Inner

The interior is nicely designed, with cloth and StarTex seats that are padded and stitched, and they have the yellowish-gold accents that run throughout the sport theme. The seats are heated, but not cooled, and they are very comfortable. The analog gauges are easy to see, and there is a driver information center between the tachometer and speedometer that is operated from the steering wheel.

Stitching runs through the door panels and along the seat edges. There’s a soft center console for your arm to rest on. In front of the gearshift is a storage compartment with two USB ports, a wireless phone charger and a power outlet.

At the top of the dashboard is a great 11.6-inch touchscreen that houses the Subaru Starlink system. From there, you operate the sound system, Bluetooth, apps, Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and vehicle settings. This system works great and is easy to understand. From the screen, you can switch to the X-modes, including snow/dirt, normal, and deep snow/mud. It’s also where you can set the Auto Hold feature so you don’t have to turn it on every time you start the SUV. There’s also a button on the screen to turn off the start/stop system.

The legroom, headroom and seating area in the back seats are really good. I wish there were air conditioning vents, but there are USB-C and USB-A ports back there and a fold-down armrest. The cargo area is also generously sized and offers tons of storage with the rear seats up. The rear seats fold down really easily, giving you 55 cubic feet of cargo space, and they fold flat along with the cargo area.

Standard equipment and options

Key standard features include a rearview camera, heated seats, a tilt steering wheel, power windows and door locking, automatic headlights, fog lights, dual-zone climate control, and a keyless entry system.

My test car has the Option Package 22 for $1,920, which includes a power sunroof, blind spot detection and rear cross traffic alert, and a 10-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support. It also has the all-weather floor mats for $141.

MPG

Fuel economy is really good at 26 in city driving and 33 on the highway, giving a combined fuel economy of 29 MPG.

Security

In addition to the Eyesight system, safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic reversing braking, an electric door unlocking function when collision is detected, and a rear seat reminder.

Driving and driving

The CrossTrek is a lot of fun to drive, visibility is great and acceleration is actually pretty good. It really shines when you venture off-road but is a super pleasant SUV to drive at all times. One big change on all 2024 Crosstreks is better insulation for a much quieter cabin and the difference is noticeable.

What you will pay

The MSRP is a very reasonable $32,801, which is exactly the same price as other compact SUVs without EyeSight. There really is no price for safety.

Verdict

This is truly one of my favorite compact SUVs on the market, and if you’re shopping in this segment, this one should be at the top of your list.

To view larger photos, check out the slideshow below at CarPro.com.

• What I liked most: Performance, safety, four-wheel drive, value and resale value.
• What I would change: How about an electric tailgate in the three higher trim levels?
• RRP: Base price $29,195/Total MSRP $32,801 with shipping.
• Fuel consumption: 26 city and 33 motorway, combined 29.
• Mileage at the time of inspection: 3,700 miles.
• Weight: 3,333 pounds and the GVWR of my test vehicle is 4,817.
• Spare tires: Temporary spare part.
• Length Width Height: 176.4 inches long/70.9 inches wide/63 inches high.
• Tank capacity: 16.6 gallons with filler neck on passenger side.
• Trailer load: 1,500 pounds.
• Official color: Sapphire blue pearl.
• 2024 CrossTrek Sport in a few words: Simply a great SUV for so many reasons. It’s incredibly reliable, very capable in all conditions, super safe and a great everyday car.
• Guarantee: 3 years/36,000 miles comprehensive insurance, 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain warranty with roadside assistance. Plus free scheduled maintenance for the first 2 years or 24,000 miles.
• Location of final assembly: Indianapolis, IN.
• Manufacturer’s website: Subaru