2024 Subaru Crosstrek Interior Review: Less Space, More Comfort and Tech

We're fans of the second-generation Subaru Crosstrek, and it looks like the third-gen model doubles down on all the things we love about the subcompact SUV. It's practical, rugged, and well equipped. But how do the redesigned crossover's new dimensions affect cabin space? And how does the interior compare to others in its segment? Here's what we gleaned after spending a day driving around in the 2024 Crosstrek.

The shorter and narrower redesigned Crosstrek has a little less volume inside but fares well in the class, especially in terms of space for front passengers. Offering 38.7 inches of front headroom with the sunroof, which is standard on the Sport and Limited trims and an option for our Crosstrek Premium, the Subaru offers 0.3 inch more space than a 2023 Honda HR-V. The Subaru's 42.9 inches of front legroom is also more than both the HR-V and 2023 Ford Bronco Sport, by 1.0 and 0.5 inch, respectively. Front and rear doors swing out to about 80 degrees, and even with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, step-in height doesn't seem high. Some of the space that's been lost by the SUV shrinking is regained somewhat by the larger door pockets, larger center console bin, and larger cupholders, now big enough to accommodate wide water bottles.

Cargo space under the hatch isn't massive, in line with the sloped-roof 2023 Mazda CX-30. The Crosstrek has more space with its 60:40 rear seat folded—9.5 cubic feet more for 54.7 cubes—but the CX-30 has a 0.3-cubic-foot advantage behind the second row for 20.2 cubic feet. At 41.0 inches, the rear gate opening is plenty wide. Loading stuff in the back was a breeze, and the plastic and rubber aesthetic lets you know this little Subie is ready for the rough stuff, like bikes and tool boxes.

Integrated into the dash of the top three Crosstrek trim levels is the Subaru's biggest infotainment touchscreen yet: an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—which worked seamlessly and without much fuss when we used it—are included with the big screen, which also comes with on-screen controls for audio, climate, and vehicle functions like shutting off the engine's auto stop/start system.

Subaru thankfully still provides dials for sound system volume/on-off and station tuning. Over-the-air updates are also standard with the large display. The screen is bigger than anything its Ford, Honda, or Mazda class rivals have to offer. And the base Crosstrek receives an upgrade, too: a dual-screen setup like the previous generation's but now with 0.5-inch-bigger 7.0-inch displays. But base models are still equipped with a single USB-A port up front. Premium and higher models feature four USB ports, one USB-A and USB-C each in front and in back.

Given how ubiquitous screens are now, we wonder how much longer Subaru will keep the Crosstrek's analog tachometer and speedometer, which come with a 4.2-inch multifunction screen between them. At some point, the cluster will almost certainly be replaced by a display.

EyeSight driver assist features like adaptive cruise control and its various lane keeping technologies (lane centering, lane keep assist) were easy to use and adjust via the Crosstrek's steering-wheel-mounted controls. Automatic emergency steering is new to the suite, standard on Premium models and higher, and rear-seat reminder is newly standard across the lineup. A rear camera washer is also now standard on every Crosstrek.

Is this a more refined Crosstrek? It would seem so considering its improvements in NVH mitigation. In our First Drive, we mentioned how drivetrain tuning, stiffer underpinnings, and more sound insulation meant a quieter ride. The climate control vents have even been optimized for quieter operation.

It's also less taxing to drive. The Crosstrek's new solidly mounted, heavily bolstered, fatigue-reducing front seats are certainly one big reason why. Gut jiggle and head toss in them are minimal. Steering is light, because it's the same dual-pinion rack that's in the current WRX. And the shift knob has been raised 1.4 inches higher than before, so it's never out of reach.

The center console might be a missed opportunity, though. The parking brake lever has been replaced by a switch, which frees up a lot of space, but nothing creative has been done with the reclaimed real estate. Although the shifter stands taller, we prefer the previous gen's booted lever.

That said, the updated styling on the inner front doors is more to our liking. It continues to employ carbon-fiber-mimicking plastic shrouds around the handles, but the seam lines on the doors make more sense and are less an arbitrary mishmash of shapes as they were previously. We're also fans of the anti-slip mountain motif texture on the rear door sills and cargo area opening, which blend nicely with the rubber floormat in the cargo area. To take the Crosstrek further upscale, features like a sound-insulating windshield, wireless phone charger, and 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system are available.

We give credit to Subaru for making the third-generation Crosstrek seem no less practical despite its shrinking dimensions compared to the previous version. It's still not all that quick with the smaller engine, but the automaker has tried to make it more comfortable to pilot, regardless of powertrain. Although materials and colors of the Crosstrek Premium 2.0 we had were muted and forgettable, the big screen is the main attraction of a slightly more stylish cabin. In fact, the new available large central touchscreen might be the redesigned crossover's most significant win, as the previous touchscreen was one of our biggest criticisms of the old model.

It's not a night-and-day difference, new interior versus old, but we doubt Subaru would want to mess too much with the formula of its most popular product. And we'll take the wins, however they come.