2024 Subaru Crosstrek vs. 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Comparison – Kelley Blue Book

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek and 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross are subcompact SUVs that deliver many features and versatility despite affordable base prices. 

Each has all-wheel drive (AWD), though you get this extra grip as standard equipment on the redesigned Crosstrek. Subaru didn’t reinvent its smallest SUV for the 2024 model year, though there are notable improvements in its driving manners and the degree of available safety and tech items.

Introduced for the 2022 model year, the Corolla Cross remains a perfectly sensible pick in a crowded market of small SUVs. It’s good on gas, has strong crash-test safety scores, and delivers the build quality car shoppers expect in a Toyota. 

Let’s explore the highlights of the Subaru Crosstrek and Toyota Corolla Cross.

2024 Subaru Crosstrek

This latest generation of Crosstrek has a starting price of $26,540, including destination fee. There are five trims: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Wilderness. As we mentioned, you get AWD and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) across the board, but there are two engine choices. 

A 152-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder performs dutifully in the Base and Premium models. Standard in the Sport, Limited, and Wilderness is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that produces 182 hp. During testing, we’ve found that an extra 30 hp makes for a big difference when highway passing power is needed. 

Subaru Crosstrek Highlights

Wilderness trim: The Crosstrek already has impressive credentials for venturing onto unpaved surfaces. Ample ground clearance, tidy proportions, and AWD all help ensure this little Subaru is up for adventures. The Wilderness trim is even more capable thanks to its higher ride height, all-terrain tires, underbody skid plate, extra off-road driving modes, and water-resistant upholstery. 

Slick 11.6-inch infotainment system: This sizable touchscreen is standard in all but the Base model. It’s within easy reach of the driver and front passenger, and has wireless smartphone connectivity, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and more USB ports in the first and second rows.  

Smoother ride: Subaru made a point of stiffening the chassis of the rebooted 2024 Crosstrek. A benefit of this engineering feat is improved ride quality. Compared to the outgoing version, the new Crosstrek behaves much better over rough roads.  

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Crosstrek models for sale near you. 

2024 Toyota Corolla Cross

The Toyota Corolla Cross can be had in three trims – L, LE, XLE – with a starting price of $25,210, including the destination charge. Front-wheel drive is standard, though AWD can be added to every trim. Light steering and a small footprint make the Corolla Cross simple to place in tight parking spots. 

It also boasts 24 cubic feet of cargo space behind its split-folding second row. That’s a solid amount of room among competing subcompact SUVs. A 169-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder works in cooperation with a CVT. A hybrid powertrain is offered, but we review that model separately. 

Toyota Corolla Cross Highlights 

Good on gas:  The Corolla Cross has excellent fuel economy, with an EPA-rated 32 mpg combined. This betters the Crosstrek’s economy. However, it’s worth noting that this figure dips by exactly 3 mpg when AWD is added, placing these two in a fuel-sipping tie. 

Cargo space: SUV shoppers like having lots of space to put their stuff. What that stuff might entail, well, that’s entirely their business. The Corolla Cross has one of the roomier cargo areas and holds about a 4 cubic foot advantage over the Crosstrek.

Standard safety gear: Every Corolla Cross includes safety features like lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder, and more. It’s nice to see Toyota’s least expensive SUV still comes standard with many driver aids. 

Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Corolla Cross models for sale near you. 

Similarities

The Crosstrek and Corolla Cross are similar in size, economy, value, and utility. These are great picks for anyone who wants the higher ride height afforded by an SUV but doesn’t need the size (or price) of a bigger and more cumbersome vehicle.  

Conclusion

The Crosstrek and Corolla Cross are pretty evenly matched, making picking a winner here challenging. Working in favor of the Crosstrek is its go-anywhere capability, smooth ride, standard AWD, and user-friendly 11.6-inch touchscreen. Yes, the base engine gets wheezy when you push too hard. That’s why we also suggest taking the 182-hp model for a spin. 

With the Corolla Cross, you get a little more cargo space and Toyota’s enviable reputation for building vehicles that are built to last. Like the Crosstrek, acceleration is also what we’d best describe as “okay,” nothing more and nothing less. Yet keep in mind that the rear legroom is tight for taller folks, and the base trim does feel pretty spartan. 

This is close, though we’d put our money on the all-new Crosstrek.