2024 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2023 Jeep Wrangler

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler was a testament to rugged design, with its boxy, no-nonsense aesthetic that appealed to off-road enthusiasts. Available in both two-door and four-door configurations, the Wrangler allowed for a customizable open-air experience with removable doors and a foldable windshield. Its iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and wide fenders maintained the classic Jeep look, while new colour options like "Reign" purple and "Earl" grey added a modern twist. Inside, the Wrangler focused on practicality with easy-to-clean materials and a straightforward design, eschewing luxury features for a more utilitarian approach.

In contrast, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek retained a familiar look but introduced new sheet metal, a fresh chassis, and additional colour options like Sun Blaze and Sapphire Blue. While its dimensions remained largely unchanged, the Crosstrek boasted a steeper departure angle and slightly reduced cargo space. The vehicle's design emphasized its outdoorsy appeal, with standard roof rails in Canada and a new front fascia that gave it a distinctive, almost smiling appearance. The Crosstrek's interior was designed with practicality in mind, featuring durable materials and thoughtful touches like a heated steering wheel and ample cupholders.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of engine options tailored for off-road performance. The standard Pentastar V6 engine delivered 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder provided 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-litre V8 engine with 470 horsepower and torque, capable of accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in approximately 4.5 seconds. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid offered a more eco-friendly option with a 17.3-kWh battery pack providing 35 kilometres of all-electric range. Despite its off-road prowess, the Wrangler 392's on-road performance was hampered by inadequate brakes and vague steering.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, standard on the Wilderness trim. The smaller 2.0-litre engine, tested in the Touring trim, offered 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, managed by a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While not particularly quick, the Crosstrek's CVT was refined, with simulated shift points and minimal droning. The Wilderness trim featured different gearing for improved off-road capability and a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms. The Crosstrek's steering was light but precise, and its X-Mode traction management system enhanced its all-wheel-drive performance.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's interior was designed for practicality, with comfortable front seats and limited rear-seat space. Storage options were minimal, with a small glove box and centre console, though the Wrangler did offer a variety of charging points. Cargo space was limited to 2,050 litres with the rear seats folded, and the removable hard and soft tops provided various open-air configurations. The Sky One-Touch power soft top offered a convenient option for quick access to fresh air.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, built on the Subaru Impreza platform, offered competitive cargo space for a subcompact SUV. Rear-seat legroom and headroom were adequate, and the trunk provided 564 litres of space, expandable to 1,549 litres with the rear seats folded. The interior featured durable, easy-to-clean materials, with thoughtful touches like a protective cargo tray and a centre console bin designed to fit large water bottles. The Crosstrek's design catered to outdoor enthusiasts, with ample storage and utility features.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch display. The system offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity, along with off-road pages providing detailed vehicle information. While the Wrangler included a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches, it lacked advanced tech features like a digital key or over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek featured a prominent 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, standard on all but the base trim. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a wireless charger available on higher trims. The Limited trim offered a premium Harman Kardon audio system. While the Starlink technology was impressive, it suffered from glare in bright sunlight and required navigation through multiple menus for some features.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's safety features were limited, with only a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control as standard. Advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning were only available on higher trims or as part of an option package. The Wrangler received mixed safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with some trims receiving poor headlight ratings.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek was expected to maintain its Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the 2023 model receiving a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Crosstrek's standard EyeSight driver assist technology included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The 2024 model introduced a wider-angle lens for EyeSight and automatic emergency steering on models with blind-spot monitoring.