2024 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek retained much of its predecessor's appearance, yet it 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 boasted a steeper departure angle, though cargo space was slightly reduced. The base trim featured 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires and 22 centimetres of ground clearance, making it suitable for off-road adventures. In Canada, roof rails were standard, although crossbars needed to be purchased separately. The Crosstrek's LED headlights seamlessly integrated with the new wing bar, giving the front fascia 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 carried over, enhancing trunk access. The Wilderness trim added unique design elements, including a hexagonal front grille, larger cladding, and increased ground clearance to 23.5 centimetres. Inside, the Crosstrek Wilderness featured StarTex synthetic leather upholstery and copper accents, with all-weather floormats and an LED light in the cargo area.

The interior dimensions of the 2024 Crosstrek remained largely unchanged, with slightly reduced cargo volume. The liftgate had a shorter grip height, and a helper strap option was available for shorter drivers. A new 11.6-inch touchscreen display was the most noticeable interior upgrade, adding cohesiveness with the larger Subaru Outback. The Crosstrek's design emphasized practicality and ease of use, with materials that felt robust and easy to clean. The vehicle's interior was designed with outdoor enthusiasts in mind, featuring a protective cargo tray and ample cupholders. The centre console bin was even designed to accommodate two 32-ounce Nalgene water bottles, catering to the needs of avid hikers.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid underwent a redesign, resulting in a more cohesive yet conventional appearance. Its blockier shape gave it a rugged look, reminiscent of a fun-sized Ford Explorer. The Forester Hybrid shared its styling with the non-hybrid version, with subtle badges distinguishing it. Inside, the Forester retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard centre section, now dominated by a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin featured a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the rear seating area prioritizing durability. The front seats provided ample cushioning and support, while the hybrid's ventilation system enhanced comfort. Heated outboard rear seats were also included. Despite losing some of its distinctiveness, the Forester Hybrid aimed for broader appeal.

The Forester Hybrid's performance was driven by a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed flat four-cylinder engine, combined with a parallel hybrid system. This setup produced 194 horsepower, surpassing the standard Forester's 180 hp. The hybrid powertrain featured an all-wheel drive system with a traditional driveshaft, enhancing traction and off-road capabilities. Acceleration was adequate, though the hybrid transmission sometimes made it feel slower. The ride quality was firmer than expected, but the Forester Hybrid excelled off-road with its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control. The vehicle struck a balance between off-road prowess and on-road comfort, appealing to both outdoor enthusiasts and urban drivers.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a smaller 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. The larger engine was standard on the Wilderness trim, while the smaller engine was tested on the Touring trim. The Crosstrek's performance was satisfactory, though not particularly quick. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) managed power delivery, with simulated shift points providing a deliberate feel. The Wilderness trim featured different gearing for improved off-road capability and increased towing capacity to 1,587 kilograms. The updated 2.0-litre powertrain reduced vibrations, enhancing comfort during start-up and operation. The Crosstrek's steering was light but not sloppy, thanks to a new dual-pinion steering rack. Subaru's X-Mode traction management system was standard across all trims, with varying levels of capability. Fuel economy was reasonable for a subcompact crossover with AWD, with estimates of 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.1 on the highway for the 2.0-litre engine.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed flat four-cylinder engine paired with a parallel hybrid system. This combination produced 194 horsepower, surpassing the standard Forester's 180 hp. The hybrid powertrain included an all-wheel drive system with a traditional driveshaft, enhancing traction and off-road performance. Acceleration was adequate, though the hybrid transmission sometimes made it feel slower. The ride quality was firmer than expected, but the Forester Hybrid excelled off-road with its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control. The vehicle struck a balance between off-road prowess and on-road comfort, appealing to both outdoor enthusiasts and urban drivers.

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 good, though taller passengers might prefer the front seats. The trunk provided 564 litres of space, falling short of some rivals, but the available 1,549 litres of total cargo space with the rear seats folded was closer to par. The interior featured low-rent but robust materials, with a protective cargo tray standard on higher trims. A heated steering wheel was standard on most trims, and the centre console bin accommodated two 32-ounce Nalgene water bottles.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid impressed with its unimpeded forward view, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The front seats offered ample space, and the cockpit had an open, airy feel. Rear seats provided generous legroom and headroom, with a panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of openness. The Forester Hybrid featured a wireless charging pad, though its hard plastic surface allowed phones to slide. Storage options included moderately sized cup holders, a deep centre armrest bin, and medium-sized door pockets. The cargo area offered 779 litres of space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for added convenience.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek featured an 11.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, standard on most trims. The display offered crisp graphics and retained physical controls for essential functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with a wireless charger on higher trims. The Limited trim boasted a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Subaru Starlink technology was impressive but suffered from glare in bright sunlight and required navigating through menus for some features.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came equipped with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system received high marks for its user-friendly interface, with large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. Physical buttons flanked the screen for temperature adjustments, while secondary functions could be distracting. The X-Mode off-road drive menu was accessible with a swipe, and external camera views aided off-roading. The Forester Hybrid also featured an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek had a history of receiving Top Safety Pick designations from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. The 2024 model was expected to maintain these high safety standards. Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology was standard, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The system included a wider-angle lens and automatic emergency steering for enhanced safety.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. The IIHS awarded the non-hybrid model top scores, contributing to its Top Safety Pick designation. All Forester models came with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Additional safety features were available on higher trims, such as rear automatic braking and a driver attention monitor. The systems functioned smoothly, with the option to disable audible alarms for lane-keep assist.