If you’re considering the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek for your next adventure, its towing capacity is important to explore. Known for its rugged versatility and all-wheel-drive capability, the Crosstrek offers more than just off-road confidence. It also delivers reliable towing power for hauling gear, trailers, or small campers. In this guide, our team at John Kennedy Subaru in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, explores the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek’s towing capacity, including towing features and best practices to maximize your Crosstrek’s performance.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek: Overview and Capabilities
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is more than just a compact SUV. It’s an adaptable vehicle designed for daily commutes and outdoor adventures. With its robust design and impressive Subaru towing capacities, the Crosstrek is well-equipped to handle a variety of tasks. Whether you’re heading to the mountains with gear or towing a small trailer, the Crosstrek delivers the performance you need.
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Towing Capacity
When it comes to capacity, towing with a Subaru Crosstrek stands out. The Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims have a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. However, the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness towing capacity takes it up a notch, offering a robust 3,500 pounds. This increase allows you to tow larger loads, making the Crosstrek Wilderness an excellent option for outdoor enthusiasts and those needing extra hauling capability.
Tow Hitch Options and Essential Towing Accessories for the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek
Investing in the right tow hitch and accessories is key to maximizing your Crosstrek’s towing potential. Subaru offers factory-approved hitch options specifically designed for the Crosstrek, including a 2-inch trailer hitch receiver, to ensure a perfect fit and reliable performance. You can also consider other towing accessories, such as wiring harnesses, brake controllers, and weight distribution systems, to improve stability and safety while towing.
Towing Features and Technology in the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is equipped with various towing features that boost off-road capabilities. The Base and Premium trims have the same 2.0-liter SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder engine, which delivers 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. However, the Wilderness trim notably comes with a transmission oil cooler to help dissipate heat during heavy towing. This ensures the vehicle performs well, even under stress.
What Can You Tow With a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek?
With a standard towing capacity of 1,500 pounds in the Base Crosstrek trim, you can easily tow small campers, Jet Skis, or a couple of dirt bikes. The increased 3,500-pound capacity of the Crosstrek Wilderness trim opens up more possibilities, allowing you to tow larger campers, utility trailers, or boats. Understanding what you can safely tow will help you maximize your Crosstrek’s capabilities.
The Wilderness Edition: Taking the Subaru Crosstrek’s Towing to the Next Level
The Crosstrek Wilderness is designed for adventurers who need extra performance and towing power. Besides its towing capacity, this edition features aggressive all-terrain tires, a revised differential gear ratio, and a retuned transmission for better traction on slippery surfaces at low speeds. It also has a shorter wheelbase and a lifted suspension for 9.3 inches of ground clearance, allowing for better approach and departure angles. These upgrades improve its off-road capabilities, making it the only subcompact SUV in its class with such a high towing capacity –– surpassing rivals such as the Jeep Renegade with its 2,000-pound towing capacity.
Maintaining Your Subaru Crosstrek for Optimal Towing Performance
Regular maintenance is important to ensure your Subaru Crosstrek performs well while towing. This includes checking your fluid levels, particularly the transmission fluid, and ensuring that your towing equipment is in good condition. Following Subaru’s recommended maintenance schedule will help prevent any issues during your towing adventures.
How To Safely Tow With Your Subaru Crosstrek: A Step-By-Step Guide
Follow these steps to ensure a safe towing experience on and off the road:
- Prepare your load: Make sure that your trailer or load is balanced and secure before towing.
- Connect your hitch: Properly attach the tow hitch and safety chains, ensuring everything is tight.
- Check lights and brakes: Verify that the trailer lights and brakes are functioning correctly.
- Monitor your speed: When towing, reduce your speed and maintain a safe following distance.
- Practice braking: Understand how your Crosstrek handles a load to ensure safe stopping.
Real Owner Experiences: Towing With the Subaru Crosstrek
Owner towing experiences using the Subaru Crosstrek reveal a mix of satisfaction and caution, particularly with the Wilderness model and its larger capacity. Some users reported successful towing of small trailers and recreational vehicles, noting the Crosstrek handles well on flat terrain and moderate inclines but struggles on steeper grades where overheating can become a concern.
Many owners recommend considering the vehicle’s limitations when towing with the Subaru Crosstrek. If you plan to tow regularly or heavier loads, you may be better served by larger models such as the Outback or the Ascent, the Subaru with the highest towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. While the Crosstrek is a viable option for light towing tasks, buyers should weigh their needs against its capabilities to avoid overextending the vehicle’s limits.
The Evolution of Towing Features in Subaru Vehicles
Subaru continues to innovate and improve towing capabilities across its lineup. The introduction of advanced towing technologies and improved performance features reflects Subaru’s commitment to meeting the needs of adventurous drivers. Current models such as the Ascent, Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek offer towing capacities ranging from 2,700 to 5,000 pounds, enhanced by features such as trailer stability assist for improved safety and control.
As demand for versatile vehicles grows, future Subaru models will offer even greater towing capacities and features. Technological advancements, including factory-tested accessories, ensure compatibility and reliability when towing. Subaru plans to introduce new models with more robust engines and possibly electric vehicles by 2026, which may redefine towing in an eco-friendly context. Overall, Subaru’s focus on increasing towing capacities and integrating advanced technologies makes it a top choice for adventure enthusiasts.
Test-Drive the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Today
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is an impressive compact SUV that’s versatile and safe, making it an excellent choice for those who want to tow without sacrificing comfort or performance. With proper maintenance and the right accessories, your Crosstrek can easily tackle everyday driving and exciting adventures. If you’re interested in exploring the Crosstrek’s capabilities, check out our Crosstrek inventory or contact us to schedule a test-drive.


