Video: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek: Up Close

Let's check it out. New looks for the Crosstrek include this frameless grill, some black accents, and this is the Sport trim, which now sports some yellow accents here along the side, as well as inside the interior. There's also new unique 18-inch wheels for the Sport. The Limited also gets its own set of 18s, while the Base and Premium get 17-inch wheels. Coming along the side, you can see these vents that are behind both front wheels. Those help with vehicle stability, according to Subaru, and there are also additional vents in the back that do the same. Inside the new Crosstrek, you'll see many of the same upgrades we saw in the Impreza in Los Angeles, including this 11.6 inch touchscreen display that's standard on all but the Base model. It comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto connectivity. Models from the Sport and above get wireless charging below the screen. All Crosstreks now also come with a standard CVT transmission, so you'll have your automatic gear selector here, and that also means you get standard Subaru eyesight technology as well, for added safety while you're driving. The seats are upgraded. The Sport gets these unique yellow accents. The Limited is the only trim available with leather upholstery. Subaru says these seats are designed to be more comfortable, similar to how they were in the Impreza. I'd have to sit in the old Crosstrek and the new one back to back to really tell you how much more comfortable this is, but it's not bad. Those are the upgrades up front. Let's go check out the back seat. Here in the backseat, not a lot of upgrades going on. I do have a nice amount of room, leg room. My knees are a little bit high, but not too bad. Shoulder room feels fine. Head room is a bit cramped, like it was in the Impreza, but overall, a fairly comfortable place to be for essentially a compact car. Also helpful, you do get USB-C and USB-A charge ports for the rear passengers. A nice upgrade would be climate vents, but you know, again, this is a fairly affordable compact car, so not necessarily expected, but it would be nice. All Crosstrek models now comes standard with the CVT. Subaru also says the new Crosstrek's chassis is 10% stiffer, which it says will help with ride quality and handling, but we'll have to wait and see to find out once we drive it. The upgrades to the redesigned Crosstrek, one of our longtime favorites in the subcompact SUV segment, are welcome, particularly in the tech space, but we'll have to wait until we drive it to see if the chassis upgrades really come through. Pricing for the new Crosstrek starts at a little over $26,000. Production for the Base and Premium model will begin in Japan, with those arriving on lots in the spring, while the Sport and Limited model will follow in summer. Those will be built in Indiana. For more on the new 2024 Subaru Crosstrek and all the rest of the cars here at the Chicago Auto Show, be sure to head to cars.com.