Forget the price tag for a second: Five-year ownership costs include taxes, auto loan payments, depreciation, fuel, repairs, maintenance, and insurance:

2023 Subaru Crosstrek Premium (CVT): $42,036

2023 Subaru Crosstrek Premium (manual transmission): $42,648

2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited: $45,649

Insurance costs

The Subaru Crosstrek Premium costs less to insure, on average, than the Limited:

Average first-year insurance for Subaru Crosstrek Premium: $2,276

Average first-year insurance for Subaru Crosstrek Limited: $1,309.

The Premium and Limited are almost identical in body style and size

Both trim levels offer ample room for passengers and cargo. There is no difference in exterior style and size, either.

Here are the dimensions of both trims:

Dimensions
Wheelbase	104.9 inches
Passenger volume	100.9 cubic feet
Headroom (front/rear)	39.8/38 inches
Legroom (front/rear)	43.1/36.5 inches
Cargo volume w/seats up	20.8 cubic feet
Ground clearance	8.7 inches

One small difference: The Premium has a base curb weight of 3,223 pounds, whereas the Limited’s base curb weight is 3,298 pounds.

A stronger engine gives the Limited more on-road power

The Crosstrek Premium comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine good for 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, while the Limited upgrades to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.

No more manual: For 2024, all Crosstrek trims come standard with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and a Lineartronic® CVT.

The Limited helps justify its higher initial cost with more power, speed, and acceleration. Some of the performance differences are marginal, but the Limited still delivers greater performance for drivers who want more than what the Subaru Crosstrek Premium offers.

Need for speed: If you crave more speed than typical SUV base models or lower trim levels, then you should go for the Limited. If speed and performance are less important than the initial cost, then you could settle on the Crosstrek Premium.

There’s no difference in fuel economy

With both the manual transmission and the Crosstrek Hybrid casualties of the 2024 redesign, every Subaru Crosstrek gets the same fuel economy rating from the EPA:

City: 27 mpg

Highway: 34 mpg

Combined: 29 mpg

The Limited’s only extra safety feature is automatic rear braking

Both trims build on Subaru’s Eyesight® driver assist technology with extra functionality. Additional safety features make the Limited trim a good pick for families and safety-conscious drivers.

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium	2024 Subaru Crosstrek Limited
Adaptive cruise control	Adaptive cruise control
Forward collision warning	Forward collision warning
Lane departure warning	Lane departure warning
Lane keeping assist (optional)	Lane keeping assist
Evasive steering assistance (optional)	Evasive steering assistance
Blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert (optional)	Blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert
	Rear automatic braking

Undeniable safety chops: The Subaru Crosstrek is a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick, and the model has gotten five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for years.

Pre-collision braking in reverse: Unlike the Premium, the Crosstrek Limited will brake automatically if its sensors detect an imminent collision with something behind the vehicle.

The Premium is loaded with tech—but the Limited brings out the big guns

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Premium:

Six-speaker audio system

Wireless Bluetooth Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration

Starlink connected services

Hands-free keyless access with push-button start

11.6-inch infotainment system touchscreen

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Limited:

Premium Harman Kardon sound system (optional)

Navigation system (optional)

Most interior comfort features are options on the Premium

Like all Subarus, the 2022 Crosstrek emphasizes practicality over sleekness—without forgetting about driver and passenger comfort.

The Premium offers:

Optional heated front seats: The front seats have two-stage heating to keep you warm without cranking the heat.

Windshield wiper de-icer: This prevents ice from building up on the wiper blades.

Optional power driver’s seat: A driver can adjust their seat six ways to find an ideal position for comfort. Unfortunately, there is no lumbar support.

The Limited includes all the Premium’s options, plus:

Leather upholstery: Available in black or black and gray with orange stitching, the leather is easy to clean, looks nice, and feels luxurious.

Steering responsive LED headlights: Illuminate dark corners and parts of the road as you navigate the vehicle.

Automatic high-beam headlights: These illuminate low-light areas and dim when sensing headlights in the other direction.

Optional moonroof:

The Limited does justice to its price tag by upping the interior offerings compared to the Premium trim level.

Winner: Subaru Crosstrek Limited

After weighing every factor, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Limited is the clear winner.

It features a stronger engine, offers increased safety, and you’ll pay roughly the same in the long run.

It’s more expensive up front, but once you drive off the lot, it’s equipped with far more value than the Premium and other Crosstrek trim levels.

Deciding on any trim is all about personal preference. If you’re shopping for an SUV that’s reasonably priced, the Crosstrek could be the right match for your needs. If you can afford the Limited trim, we recommend going for it.

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