Starting at
Starting at
| 250 hp | Horsepower | 182 hp |
| 277 lb-ft | Torque | 178 lb-ft |
| 65.2 cu.ft. | Cargo Space | 54.7 cu.ft. |
Subcompact SUVs are some of our favorite vehicles, giving you the functionality and styling of an SUV but in a small size that can easily fit into any lifestyle. That being said, not all subcompact SUVs are equal and some are designed with performance and capability far beyond other models that are out there. When you look at the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, for example, it is easy to see that while the Crosstrek is a fine subcompact SUV in its own right, it falls short of what Ford delivers with the Bronco Sport. This is particularly true if you are interested in heading off-road and going into the wilds on rugged trails where few vehicles can possibly go—the Bronco Sport is one of those few.
For starters, the Ford Bronco Sport delivers some of the best performance you will find from any subcompact SUV out there, which the Crosstrek cannot hope to keep up with. Both of these SUVs have two engines available, but the best one offered by Subaru is a 2.5L with 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. By comparison, the starting engine on the Bronco Sport is a turbocharged beauty with 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque—this is already far better than what Subaru offers, and when you look at the available 250-hp engine from Ford, then the Bronco Sport becomes the clear winner in terms of performance. There is also the fact that Ford provides these engines with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which we prefer over the continuously variable transmission from Subaru.
If you are interested in going off-road, then the Bronco Sport is one of the most capable SUVs out there of any size, which blows away the Subaru Crosstrek. We will admit that some of the features of the Crosstrek Wilderness model are pretty good, but between the standard four-wheel drive (4x4) of the Bronco Sport and its Goes Over Any Type of Terrain (GOAT) Modes, the Ford model simply cannot be beat. What brings this all together is that the Bronco Sport also gives you a surprisingly spacious and beautifully designed interior, with more cargo volume inside than the Subaru Crosstrek, a larger standard infotainment display, and much more for you to enjoy. Subaru's SUV is a fine vehicle, but it cannot come close to the performance, capability, and stunning design of the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport.
One of the best things to look at with any vehicle you are interested in is the engine—you can tell a lot about the quality of your ride and the type of SUV you are looking at by its engine. While subcompact SUVs might not need the kind of power in them that full-size models or big trucks require, you still want something with enough muscle to make it fun to drive. Moreover, if you are interested in a vehicle for heading off-road or even just for long road trips, more power can make your life a lot easier. While the Subaru Crosstrek has engine options that are fine, they fall woefully short of what Ford offers.
There are two engines available for both of these SUVs, which makes them easy to compare, but they are far from comparable. The standard engine for the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek is a 2.0L BOXER engine that offers 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque; this might be a subcompact model, but it is still quite underpowered. Fortunately, there is an available 2.5L BOXER engine that boosts performance up to 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, much closer to what we would expect from this kind of vehicle. Honestly, that should be the standard engine in the Crosstrek because the 2.0L option is quite meager and noticeably underwhelming by comparison.
Looking at the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport, on the other hand, we have two excellent engines designed to get you where you are going with a smile on your face. For starters, there is a 1.5L EcoBoost turbocharged I-3 engine that delivers 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. You can see this already surpasses the available engine from Subaru because Ford has worked hard to get a tremendous amount of power from such a small engine. If you want something with some serious performance, then there is an available 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged I-4 with a remarkable 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. This is so far beyond what is available from Subaru that it is on a different level completely; it is the perfect choice if you want something that is ready for anything the road or trail throws at you.
When Ford announced the return of the Bronco, joined by this smaller Bronco Sport model, we were incredibly excited to see what it would be able to do. While the Bronco Sport is great for driving around town, it is also an undeniable beast when you leave the city behind and head outdoors. It might seem unfair to compare it to the Subaru Crosstrek in this regard, but Subaru has made an effort to deliver solid off-road performance with its subcompact SUV. It seems only fitting to look at how these two models stack up in this regard.
One of the best things about the Subaru Crosstrek, when it comes to taking it off-road, is that every model comes with Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. Although held back somewhat by its available engines, this AWD performance is still good for maintaining traction on slippery trails and wet conditions. In terms of real off-road performance, the Wilderness trim for the Crosstrek is the way to go, with a raised suspension that offers improved ground clearance, 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, and water-repellent upholstery inside that makes it easier to clean. The Wilderness also has unique front and rear bumpers with integrated tow points, plus extended lower cladding to help protect it from rocks, branches, and other obstacles on the trail.
The Crosstrek Wilderness is pretty good, but that is also the highest trim available—looking at the starting features for the Ford Bronco Sport, it comes with 17-inch wheels, standard 4x4 performance, and more. We should point out that 4x4 is different from AWD and generally preferable for tackling the trials and difficulties of the trail. Every Bronco Sport comes with Ford's impressive Terrain Management System with five GOAT Modes, including Sand, Slippery, Sport, and more. If you want incredible off-road performance for taking on challenging trails, then check out the Badlands model, which includes an Advanced 4x4 system with a twin-clutch rear drive unit to improve traction plus two additional GOAT Modes: Mud/Ruts for sloppy conditions and Rock Crawl for low-speed climbing.
The inside of a vehicle you choose is always going to be important since that is where you will spend most of your time with your SUV. Inside the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, we find an interior that is fine but not particularly exceptional. The standard infotainment screen in the Crosstrek is just 7-inches in size, paired with a 4.2-inch display in the instrument cluster in every model. Although passenger space in the Crosstrek is pretty good, it lacks much cargo area, offering about 20 cu.ft. of rear cargo volume and just over 54 cu.ft. of total cargo space inside behind the front seats. That is not terrible, but it can feel cramped when you are trying to load up for a weekend of camping or run some errands after work.
Looking at the Ford Bronco Sport, you get more in terms of standard features and a lot more cargo space to take advantage of. For example, the Bronco Sport comes with a standard 8-inch infotainment display, bigger than what you find in the Crosstrek, which is easy to use and read when taking advantage of the many apps available with Ford's SYNC 3 system. A 4.2-inch instrument cluster display is standard, but a larger 6.5-inch instrument screen can be found inside higher trims. When it comes to functionality, models with the standard engine have more than 32 cu.ft. of rear cargo space and more than 65 cu.ft. of total cargo volume inside. That gives you plenty of room to load up with everything you need to bring with you, then hit the road.
If you are looking for a powerful and sophisticated subcompact SUV that can leave civilization behind and take you just about anywhere you can imagine, then the Ford Bronco Sport cannot be beat. You have your choice of two powerful engines, incredible standard and available off-road features, and numerous trims that let you customize your options and get everything you want in your next SUV. All of these amazing features are great but they also mean that finding the perfect model with everything you want can be kind of tricky, particularly if you go it alone. Fortunately, you are not alone, and we are here at DePaula Ford to help you find the right vehicle, trim, and options that will elevate your drive day after day.
No matter what you are looking for in your next vehicle, Ford has you covered and we are ready to take you through the Ford lineup and make sure you drive away in something you love. Whether you already know the Bronco Sport is right for you and you have a specific model in mind or have just started checking out Ford's SUVs and are unsure which one has what you need, we can help. We will work closely with you, take you through everything Ford offers, and make sure you drive away in an SUV that you love and has the features you have been looking for. Call or come visit us at DePaula Ford today to learn more and let us show you how easy it can be to find a Ford with everything you want.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
