The Crosstrek has been a massive success for Subaru in Canada, outselling the Impreza, the car on which it’s based on, by a significant margin. The current Crosstrek uses the new dashboard that debuted in the most-recent iteration of the WRX sport sedan. The driver faces a conventional speedometer and tachometer with a configurable digital readout separating them. The speedometer incorporates the gas gauge and the tachometer houses the temperature gauge. The multi-configurable “Eyebrow” feature that previously occupied the top centre of the dash has been removed and all information is now incorporated into a large, vertically-oriented touch screen. Subaru has wisely kept knobs for audio on-off-volume and tuning, as well as physical buttons for front and rear defrost and temperature regulation for the dual-zone climate system. Climate fan speed and air distribution are adjusted via the touch screen but unlike other makers, which sequester those functions within a menu system, Subaru shows the functions on the screen at all times. Subaru re-located the stop-start de-activation from its inconvenient spot in front of the driver`s knee to a prominent place on the dash screen. As touch screens go, the one in the Crosstrek works pretty well. On the Onyx trim, there is a wireless cellphone charger at the forward end of the console and the ports for aux, and the USB ports are immediately obvious and accessible.

The front seats, which were a bit unyielding in the previous Crosstrek, are, with deeper padding, more sumptuous than before. The driver`s compartment is still a touch narrow, but replacing the mechanical handbrake with an electric toggle has liberated space for the right thighs of larger drivers. Like the previous Crosstrek, cabin space is impressive for the size of the car. The rear seat itself is more deeply padded and rear seat passengers remarked on the high levels of space and comfort. Rear seat riders can access USB and USB-C ports as well as dual cupholders located in the folding centre armrest. The Onyx trim cabin is swathed in an attractive gray cloth that replaces the vinyl upholstery used in the old Outdoor trim. The Onyx trim includes a black headliner, which leads to a more closed-in feel than conventional pale gray roof lining. Much of the cabin is new but owners of the previous Crosstrek will notice various bits that have been repurposed from the last car. Poor quality floor coverings, a scourge of our age, disappointed owners of the previous Crosstrek and the “carpeting” of the new car looks unimproved. Cargo space is about the same as before and in Subaru tradition, a bit shallow due to the space used up by the rear differential.

The Onyx is powered by a 2.5L, normally-aspirated flat-four with 182 horsepower. Power is funnelled to all four wheels via a CVT which is the sole transmission offered for 2024. Performance is as strong and flexible as it was in the previous Crosstrek, but additional sound proofing has enhanced refinement considerably. Observed fuel economy of 12.2L/100 km in urban/suburban driving is quite heavy for this size of car but sustained highway cruising is very economical and generates fuel consumption figures below 7L/100 km. In addition to a quieter engine, road noise and wind noise over the roof, are less than before, despite our Onyx being fitted with a sunroof.

Steering is nicely weighted and geared and is less vague at highway speeds than the previous Crosstrek.

The active L.E.D. headlamps of the Onyx trim are much brighter than the headlights on the old Outdoor trim. The blind spot monitors on the door mirrors are much smaller on the new Crosstrek than on its predecessor and thus less noticeable.