Subaru Crosstrek vs Lincoln Nautilus

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek retained much of its predecessor’s design, albeit with some subtle yet noteworthy updates. Enthusiasts immediately recognized the new sheet metal, enhanced chassis, and the addition of new colors like Sun Blaze, Offshore Blue, Sapphire Blue, and an exclusive Geyser Blue for the Wilderness trim.

The vehicle's dimensions closely mirrored the outgoing model, keeping the wheelbase and overall length nearly identical. However, it introduced a steeper departure angle while marginally reducing cargo space. Essentially, for those who had driven a second-generation Crosstrek, the 2024 model felt familiar in terms of dimensions.

Standard on the Base model were 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, boasting 8.7 inches of ground clearance. This made the Crosstrek versatile enough for off-road adventures. Roof rails, which were optional for the base model but standard for Premium, Sport, and Limited trims, did not double as crossbars, unlike those on the Outback. The addition of these rails firmly rooted the Crosstrek in Subaru’s outdoorsy aesthetic, accommodating gear like skis, tents, or kayaks.

Notable design changes included new headlights that seamlessly aligned with the redesigned wing bar, giving the front a playful, almost smiling look. Subaru’s characteristic black plastic cladding protected each wheel arch, augmented with air inlets and outlets to enhance aerodynamics, reduce fuel consumption, and lower road noise.

At the rear, the split taillight design from the second-generation endured, slightly tweaked to improve trunk access. This thoughtful design captured Subaru’s commitment to continuous improvement, embodied in their “Kaizen” philosophy.

The Wilderness trim added rugged elements with a hexagonal front grille, larger cladding around the wheels, and redesigned bumpers. The fog lights on this variant adopted a hexagonal LED design with copper accents, enhancing the vehicle’s rugged look. Raised ground clearance of 9.3 inches and a robust ladder-style roof rack, capable of holding a 176-pound dynamic load and a whopping 700 pounds of static load, cemented the Wilderness trim as the choice for adventurers.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek brought back the 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine for its Sport and Limited trims, generating 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. This engine was also standard on the Wilderness trim.

A smaller 2.0-liter engine, available on the Premium trim, offered 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque but was notably less dynamic. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), eliminating the manual transmission option. The CVT was well-tuned, with power building smoothly across the rev range and the simulated shift points enhancing drivability.

The Wilderness trim, with its shorter final-drive ratio, offered improved acceleration and an enhanced ability to tackle rougher terrains. It also increased towing capacity to 3,500 pounds, significantly more than the standard Crosstrek models, though at a slight cost to fuel economy.

Despite the increased power, vibrations during startup and operation were minimal due to better tuning and improved engine mounts. The steering remained light and was far from sloppy, thanks to a new dual-pinion steering rack, providing a more controlled driving experience even though some roll was noticeable in the Wilderness trim.

Fuel efficiency figures stood at an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 34 highway, and 29 combined for the 2.0-liter engine, slightly lower for the 2.5-liter option. The Crosstrek Wilderness achieved 25 mpg city, 29 highway, and 27 combined. A substantial 16.6-gallon fuel tank meant fewer stops on long journeys.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus offered a robust standard powertrain with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The power delivery was smooth, making for an unobtrusive drive, although an additional $1,500 could elevate the driving experience with a hybrid setup.

The hybrid variant delivered 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque and provided an impressive 30 mpg in combined driving. This version also offered a remarkable range of over 600 miles, making it a strong choice for those who valued fewer fuel stops, although the Lexus RX hybrid outperformed it in fuel efficiency.

Every Nautilus model came equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) and five driving modes. For optimal performance, the adaptive suspension was a recommended feature. The drive modes adjusted various parameters, offering a balance between comfort and sportiness. While the hybrid used a CVT, it was well-optimized to minimize typical CVT drawbacks like droning.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, built on the Impreza platform, provided rugged styling and a commendable 8.7-inch ground clearance but remained a subcompact SUV. While not as spacious as larger models, it was competitive among its peers. Rear-seat legroom and headroom were decent, though taller passengers might prefer the front seats. The trunk offered 19.9 cubic feet of space, smaller than the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-30 but sufficient for everyday use, extending to 54.7 cubic feet with the rear seats down.

The Wilderness model emphasized utility, featuring Nalgene bottle-sized cupholders and standard all-weather mats, underscoring Subaru's intention to cater to the adventurous clientele.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus excelled in cabin comfort and spaciousness. The standard power-adjustable, heated, and cooled front seats offered supreme comfort, especially the 24-way Perfect Position seats in the Black Label trim. These seats, complete with a continuous massage feature, outclassed those of Mercedes-Benz and Genesis.

The rear seats were not as luxurious but offered a generous 43 inches of legroom, surpassing the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. The cargo capacity stood at 36 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 71 cubic feet with seats folded in the Premiere trim, though slightly less in the Reserve and Black Label trims, still outpacing the Lexus RX.

However, unlike some competitors such as the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, the Nautilus did not offer a third-row seating option, focusing instead on maximizing comfort and cargo space for five passengers.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek showcased a new 11.6-inch touchscreen, standard across all trims except the Base. Previously exclusive to higher-end Subaru models, this display impressed with sharp graphics and thoughtful integration of physical controls for essential functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, enhancing connectivity.

Despite its strengths, the infotainment system had challenges like glare in bright sunlight and occasional menu navigation difficulties. More critically, Subaru restricted certain features in compliance with local laws, impacting functionalities like remote start.

The technology in the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus was highlighted by a remarkable 48-inch curved display. It provided a customizable digital dash and center console functions, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. However, adjusting HVAC vents through the infotainment screen proved unnecessarily complex.

The lack of physical steering wheel controls introduced a learning curve for precise operation. Nonetheless, the infotainment system included Google Maps, Alexa Built-In, and over-the-air updates to keep software current, alongside standard wireless charging and multiple USB ports throughout the cabin.

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek continued to uphold its reputation for safety, with previous models consistently receiving top honors from the IIHS and NHTSA. The 2024 model was expected to maintain these high safety standards. Subaru's EyeSight safety system remained a standout feature, now with a wider-angle lens and automatic emergency steering on models with blind-spot monitoring, enhancing the vehicle's proactive safety measures.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus was equipped with Lincoln CoPilot 360, an extensive suite of ADAS features including lane-keeping assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Notably, the inclusion of Blue Cruise 1.2 technology enabled hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, enhancing comfort on long drives. While not yet rated for crashworthiness, previous models received high ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.