2024 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2024 Lexus TX

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek retained much of its predecessor's design, yet introduced new sheet metal, a fresh chassis, and additional colour options like Sun Blaze, Offshore Blue, and Sapphire Blue. While its wheelbase and overall length remained nearly unchanged, the Crosstrek featured a steeper departure angle and slightly reduced cargo space. The base trim came with 17-inch alloy wheels and 22 centimetres of ground clearance, making it suitable for off-road adventures. In Canada, standard roof rails added to its outdoorsy appeal, though crossbars were sold separately. The Crosstrek's front fascia, with its LED headlights and wing bar, gave it a distinctive, smiling appearance. Black plastic cladding protected the wheel arches, and aerodynamic air inlets and outlets improved fuel efficiency and reduced road noise. The split taillight design from the second generation continued, allowing for wider trunk access. The Wilderness trim added unique design elements, including a hexagonal grille, larger cladding, and increased ground clearance. Inside, the Crosstrek Wilderness featured StarTex synthetic leather upholstery and copper accents, with all-weather floormats and an LED light in the cargo area. Interior dimensions remained largely unchanged, with a slightly smaller cargo volume and a new 11.6-inch touchscreen display enhancing the interior's cohesiveness.

The 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, distinguished itself as a luxury SUV with upscale looks. The TX's styling was more conservative compared to other Lexus models, appealing to those who found previous designs too bold. The TX 350 Executive packages included striking 22-inch silver-finished wheels, enhancing the SUV's appearance. The TX came in three model series: TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid, with prices ranging from $72,036 to $87,486, including destination charges and dealer fees. The TX 350, likely the volume-selling version, featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive. The Ultra Luxury package added premium interior features, while the Executive packages offered a Peppercorn interior option. Despite the dark cabin, the TX 350's interior exuded luxury, though it lacked a massage function in the front seats. The second-row seat, with its flat lower cushion, was less welcoming, but the third-row seat was habitable for adults, making the TX more practical than previous Lexus models. The TX offered ample cargo space, with 572 litres behind the third-row seat and up to 2,746 litres with the second and third rows folded.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a smaller 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The 2.5-litre engine was standard on the Wilderness trim, while the 2.0-litre engine was tested on the U.S. equivalent of a Touring trim. Despite the 2.0-litre engine's slower performance, it was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that Subaru had refined to minimize droning and rubber banding. The Crosstrek Wilderness featured different gearing for tackling uphill terrain and a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms. The updated 2.0-litre powertrain reduced vibration, enhancing comfort. The Crosstrek's steering, aided by a new dual-pinion steering rack, felt light yet precise. Subaru's X-Mode traction management system, available on all trims, improved off-road capability. Fuel economy for the 2.0-litre engine was estimated at 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.1 on the highway, with slightly higher figures for the 2.5-litre engine.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Despite initial concerns about its suitability for a midsize luxury SUV, the engine performed adequately in typical driving situations. Lexus claimed a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of approximately eight seconds, though the SUV felt quicker due to its torque delivery. The TX 350's fuel economy was rated at 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, slightly better than the previous RX L model. During testing, the TX 350 averaged 13.8 L/100 km. The TX 350's suspension provided a comfortable ride with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. The brake pedal, though soft, was easy to modulate. Overall, the TX 350 offered a balanced ride and handling experience.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, built on the Subaru Impreza platform, offered competitive cargo space and utility for a subcompact SUV. Rear-seat legroom and headroom were adequate, though taller passengers might prefer the front seat. The Crosstrek provided 564 litres of trunk space, falling short of some competitors, but offered 1,549 litres of total cargo space with the second-row seats folded. The interior featured robust, easy-to-clean materials, with a protective cargo tray standard on higher trims. A heated steering wheel was standard on all trims except the Convenience, and the centre console bin accommodated two 32-ounce Nalgene water bottles, catering to outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. The TX 350 test unit featured premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery, with heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel as standard in Canada. The second-row bench seat was standard, with captain's chairs available in the Executive 6-Passenger package. While the front seats lacked a massage function, they provided a supportive driving position. The second-row seat, though less comfortable, offered triple-zone climate control and USB charging ports for all rows. The third-row seat was habitable for adults, with ample leg support and large side windows. The TX provided 572 litres of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expanding to 1,625 litres with the third row folded and 2,746 litres with both the second and third rows down. The TX featured numerous storage compartments, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise and vibration.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek featured an 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, previously seen in larger Subaru models. The display offered crisp graphics and retained physical controls for essential functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard on all but the Convenience trim, with a wireless charger included on higher trims. The Limited trim added a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While Subaru Starlink technology was impressive, it suffered from glare in bright sunlight and required navigating through menus to access certain features.

The 2024 Lexus TX came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a digital rearview mirror, standard on all but the base package. The Executive packages included a head-up display, surround-view camera, and semi-autonomous parking assist system. The head-up display, however, replaced marked steering wheel controls with unmarked ones, causing driver distraction. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured a 14-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Drive Connect subscription for cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The TX offered free 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect, with Remote Connect free for three years. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system provided impressive sound quality.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek had a history of receiving top safety ratings, with the 2023 model earning a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2024 model was expected to maintain these ratings. Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology, standard on all trims, included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The 2024 model featured a wider-angle lens for improved road visibility and automatic emergency steering on models with blind-spot monitoring.

The 2024 Lexus TX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Proactive Drive Assist, part of LSS+ 3.0, provided braking and steering assistance, though it was not entirely transparent in operation. The TX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. The Executive packages added front and rear parking sensors, front cross-traffic alert, lane change assist, and traffic jam assist. The traffic jam assist system allowed for hands-free driving at low speeds on approved highways.