2024 Subaru Crosstrek: A Crossover SUV That’s Perfect For Philippine Roads

Driving in the Philippines can be both a chore and a pleasure. For one, you’ve got beautiful winding roads in places like Bataan, but you’ve also got badly paved roads like the notorious truck lane in C5 in Metro Manila–the latter of which can even be a proving ground for testing a vehicle’s suspension. It’s no wonder that many Filipinos have gravitated to SUVs–mostly towards seven-seater body-on-frame ones based on their pickup siblings. Unfortunately, while these SUVs more than meet the needs of Filipinos, they tend to compromise on handling and maneuverability due to their size and construction. However, if you want a crossover that’s both dynamically well-tuned and yet uncompromising in terms of dealing with the rougher stuff, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek might fit your needs better.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, unlike most of the midsize body-on-frame pickup-based SUVs, has been designed for a global audience in mind. Okay, actually, if you check out what the Crosstrek’s biggest market is, that would singlehandedly be the United States. That’s perhaps why Subaru decided to adopt the Crosstrek name globally as opposed to the United States adopting the XV that the rest of the world uses, and that somewhat American orientation is where the Crosstrek’s advantages become apparent.

For one, the Crosstrek may have learned a few American tricks up its sleeve, and one of those is delivering on a class-leading ride. Compared to anything I’ve driven in the subcompact SUV segment, the new Crosstrek deals with bumps with delicacy, thanks to the long travel suspension whose damping is just right. It’s not too soft that the ride becomes wallowy, nor too harsh that it sends shudders through your spine. Combined with the extra-stiff Subaru Global Platform (SGP), which inherited some of the WRX sport sedan’s added chassis rigidity, the Crosstrek also quells vibrations in a manner that’s similar to European cars already.

Another aspect it inherited from the WRX is its handling. By adopting the WRX’s dual-pinion steering, along with improvements to the suspension in how it deals with body roll, the Crosstrek has been given handling agility and sportiness never before seen in this crossover SUV. Of course, as with every Subaru, we have to mention its boxer engine, which, in this case, is still unchanged from before. The 2.0-liter engine still produces 154 hp and 196 Nm of torque that drives all four wheels. What’s changed this time around is the CVT, which has been recalibrated to offer better response and less engine droning under hard acceleration, further contributing to its pleasurable driving experience at high speeds. Fuel economy is surprisingly good, too, averaging at 10-11 km/l despite having permanent all-wheel drive (AWD).

Now, as for the styling, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek can easily be accused of merely feeling like a heavily facelifted version of the outgoing Crosstrek, but at least the resulting design does give it a lot of character, especially in this lovely shade of Oasis Blue. The C-shaped LED headlights, nice 18-inch wheels, and high ground clearance all contribute to giving this crossover a functional yet quirky look. Think of the Crosstrek as a rugged pair of hiking boots with the bright colorway of a running shoe.

Likewise, the interior very much offers a feeling of familiarity, but this is mostly thanks to the dash design that pretty much inherits what we’ve already seen in the WRX. Therefore, you get a familiar set of analog gauges with a color multi-information display in the middle along with the 11.6-inch Starlink portrait touch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The tech features of the car operate intuitively as it balances touchscreen and physical controls (though the fan speed is purely on the touch screen), but what I dislike is the fact that the button for the engine start/stop system is hidden in a submenu which resets every time you turn the car off.

Apart from the tech stuff, the new Crosstrek offers plenty of practicality and space inside. There’s a good amount of storage cubbies and space in the second row for adults to enjoy, though those seated at the back aren’t given any form of ventilation. If there’s one gripe in the interior vibe, though, that would be the materials. The previous XV had soft-touch materials on the dash, but the new one has abandoned that in favor of hard plastics (albeit very dense ones). This is supposedly in line with the Crosstrek embracing its rugged nature, but it comes at the expense of feeling more utilitarian now.

All in all, the new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is two steps forward for the brand. The sportier-than-ever driving dynamics, combined with the ability to quell the worst of Manila’s bad roads make it an uncompromising crossover SUV. It’s indeed a vehicle that you can enjoy in the twisties and the real world. Unfortunately, at P1,998,000 for the 2.0 i-L and P2,018,000 for the 2.0 i-S, the Crosstrek is on the expensive side. Then again, the Crosstrek manages to carve out its niche and identity in its segment–one that combines ruggedness with excellent on-road performance unlike anything else.