2024 Subaru Crosstrek Luggage Test: How much cargo space?

While Zac Palmer was busy reviewing the more powerful 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Sport in New York, I was in California with a decidedly slower Crosstrek Premium stuffing it with luggage. Fun fun!

I luggage tested the previous-generation Crosstrek, making this only the second time I'll have generation-to-generation comparisons to make (the first was the Civic Hatchback). On paper, the 2024 Crosstrek has lost 0.9 cubic-foot of space, which could be significant when we're only talking 19.9 cubes. The last one was able to hold more than its volume figure would suggest, though, thanks to a usefully wide cargo area free of any odd spaces.

Let's see how the new one does. Oh, but one more thing: you can consider this a luggage test for the 2024 Subaru Impreza ... cause when it comes to the cargo area, it's the same car.

The outgoing Crosstrek is on the right. It's hard to tell with the lighting and body color, but doesn't it look like the new models' liftgate has a slightly steeper angle? That could certainly explain the cubic-foot difference.

Also, since we're doing that side-by-side: Note this test vehicle did not have a cargo cover. Thankfully, since the two generations are so similar and I could clearly see where the cover cartridge mounting points would be, I could easily guestimate the amount of bags able to fit without removing the cover cartridge.

As with every luggage test, I use two midsize roller suitcases that would need to be checked in at the airport (26 inches long, 16 wide, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that just barely fit in the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that fits easily (23L x 15W x 10D). I also include my wife's fancy overnight bag just to spruce things up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).

And here's your difference!

See how the bag is propped up on the right side (zoomed in below left), but not in the last-generation? It therefore would NOT fit under the cargo cover in the 2024. This means the new model is a fraction of an inch narrower between the wheel wells. I know this because my smaller blue bag is a fraction of an inch narrower than the medimum-sized black ones and does fit (below right)

Also, in case you're wondering, the fancy bag was too long to fit between the cargo cover and tailgate originally. That's not going to change this time around.

OK, let's remove the imaginary cargo cover and talk cargo area length. The big blue bag is too big to fit in the outboard portions of the cargo area standing up on its side, but does fit when placed in the middle.

Despite the ever-so-slightly narrower cargo floor, the same number of bags fit in the 2024 Crosstrek as fit in the previous-generation model. The bags are just swapped around a bit.

BUT! Note the fancy bag. While it will still fit with the liftgate closed, note that it's a bit more squished now. If full, it wouldn't fit in that location. This probably confirms my suspicion about the liftgate angle being the culprit for that missing cube.

Now, note that I said it wouldn't fit in THAT location. It will still fit, but with a compromise.