Compare the2024 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2023 BMW X2

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Crosstrek are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X2 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Crosstrek are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X2 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Crosstrek has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The X2 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Crosstrek Limited/Wilderness has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The X2 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Crosstrek. But it costs extra on the X2.

The Crosstrek (except Base)’s optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The X2 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Crosstrek (except Base)’s optional Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The X2 doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The Crosstrek’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The X2 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Crosstrek and the X2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Crosstrek 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X2. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X2 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 83 percent more Subaru dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Crosstrek’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Crosstrek’s reliability 49 points higher than the X2.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 3 places higher in reliability than BMW.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The X2 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek gets better mileage than the X2:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Crosstrek higher (7 out of 10) than the BMW X2 (3 to 7). This means the Crosstrek produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X2 every 15,000 miles.

The Crosstrek has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The X2 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Crosstrek stops shorter than the X2:

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Wilderness’ turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the X2’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.2 feet). The Crosstrek’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the X2’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.2 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the X2 (8.7 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the Crosstrek to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Crosstrek Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 2.1 inches higher than on the X2 (9.3 vs. 7.2 inches).

The Subaru Crosstrek may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 350 pounds less than the BMW X2.

The front grille of the Crosstrek uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The X2 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Crosstrek Limited is quieter than the X2 xDrive28i (69 vs. 72 dB).

The Crosstrek has 6.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X2 (100.5 vs. 94.1).

The Crosstrek has .6 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the X2.

The Crosstrek has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X2 with its rear seat folded (54.7 vs. 50.1 cubic feet).

The Crosstrek’s cargo area is larger than the X2’s in every dimension:

The Crosstrek has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The X2 has no towing capacity.

The engine in the Crosstrek is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the X2. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Crosstrek has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X2 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Crosstrek’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the X2’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The X2’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Crosstrek’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Crosstrek has standard extendable sun visors. The X2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Crosstrek as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the BMW X2 by over 833 to one during 2023.