Hello,

I hope everyone is doing well.

I am quite seriously thinking of trading in my 2023 Crosstrek Sport 6-speed for a 2024 Outback XT Premium. [Or whatever the top Outback is] The one with the turbo. And would be doing so for one reason only. SEAT COMFORT. No matter what I do I can't get comfortable in my Crosstrek. I installed 'Seat Jackers' that raised the front of the seat up by an inch and that helped - a little. And I stuck a pad on the side of the console to keep my leg from being poked into. That helped a little too. But I bought this car to drive across Canada someday soon. And given that my legs hurt after about half-an-hour or so.... it would not be a pleasant trip. So I'm very seriously thinking of trading it in.

IF you own an new Outback [the latest version] could you please tell me if you think it's more comfortable than your Crosstrek. Or if it's not. I'd hate to spend another $20,000+ dollars for another uncomfortable car.

Thanks
Craig

🦵+Crosstrek=Ouch!

i don't think anyone else can tell you if you'll be comfortable in an outback. rent an outback and see for yourself

 

They can tell me if they think the Outback is more comfortable than the Crosstrek.

 

Could you sit in one at the dealer and then compare it to your current one? Also, the 24 supposedly improved the seats. I found that the Crosstrek seats were just a little smaller than my Forester for some reason and don't prefer them. My wife loves them, and my Forester's seats. Go figure. Hope you figure it out, that sounds like a pain!

 

The legacy and outback are more luxurious and a wider car albeit just a few inches. If you don't need the ground clearance i would go with a legacy xt, definitely test out the cars no matter what anyone says!

 

We have a 2022 Outback Wilderness and a 2024 Crosstrek (Onyx).

I find the Outback to be noticeably more comfortable, but not by an enormous margin.

As already mentioned, the 2024 Crosstrek seats were improved, and while we did test drive a 2023, I can't comment on how they specifically compare as it was many months between the test drive and the arrival of our 2024.

I find the Outback seats to be more plush, but the cloth of the Crosstrek is a nicer texture than the StarTex.

For me the biggest difference in comfort is the seating position. I can adjust the Outback position to be more sedan-like with my legs more outstretched while still maintaining bent knees.
The Crosstrek seating is more upright. It also feels like you are situated very high in the vehicle even though I have it set as low as possible.

I've not done any long distance driving in the Crosstrek, but I recently drove over 7 hours in a day (twice) with the Outback (one short break per trip) and had virtually zero discomfort.

As has already been recommended you'll need to do a test drive to experience for yourself, but I would be very surprised if you didn't find the Outback to be more comfortable.

 

I guess I don't understand your seating position, my leg has never been bothered by my center console.

I do find the seat bottom very flat and unsupportive. I have an old memory foam lower back pillow that I've used on the seat on longer trips.

 

I have always heard that the Outback was the Good-Seat standard for Subaru. I just never had a real "problem" with any of the Subarus' seats I've had. I never tried to find out because I'll never get one. Not my kind of vehicle.

I had read about the '24 Crosstrek redesign's seats being uncommonly good.... for a lowly Crosstrek maybe? But it was time for me and the other refinements to safety, ride, handling, etc. that cinched the process and led to my now driving one. I'm amazed, frankly, even after 32 years of sampling Subaru models exclusively. This one is in a league of its own now IMNSHO... including its seats.

The closest any of my Subarus have come to this car's driving comfort was my '09 3.0R Limited, but even its seats weren't as obviously improved as these are. In all the others I was always fiddling with the adjustments, even in the ones with setting memory, negating the memory function's overall value. I adjusted this one's seats slightly when I got it home, checking the adjustable lumbar support setting, and once and afterward bumped it forward a tad.

Otherwise, in its first longer ride through some of the twistiest roads in the country I never once thought of seats... I was too busy involved with the seriousness of the perils of chalenging these roads. Out and back, with a Vinyard apex for a case, I spent a furious 220miles of wheeling this incredible new Crosstrek through the Appalachians, with my seat holding me firmly at the controls... and let me arrive home as tireless and maybe more energized than when I left.

This new 2024 Crosstrek Ltd is worth a look, it is in a different league now, even compared to the '21 Crosstrek Ltd it replaced.

 

I had a XV and got rid if it for a Forester. Forester sits higher than an OB

 

And I traded a much loved '17 FXT for an Impreza hatch which but for its engine I preferred. The Crosstrek 2.5s straddle my preference for small performance sedans and the Mrs's preference for the Foresters. With this new '24 renewing my enthusiasm for spirited driving I'm also beginning to see its advantages as a CUV. It's a balance I never thought would happen.

I never fussed over any vehicle's seats, but the general opinion of the Forester seats was, well, not good. For me, they were a part of the Forester's relatively role-poly ride. They were high, wide, and too soft to be anything but a comfy faux bench. The FXTs' effortless power more than made up for the seats.

Glad to see you're still enjoying your Forester.

 

Owner of a 2018 Crosstrek with leather and electric seats as well as an owner of 2019 Outback also with leather and electric seats. All three people in the family... sometimes drivers and sometimes passengers prefer by far Crosstrek seat comfort and grip.

 

I drove all suabru 2018+ models all of theme cant offer comfortbale seat they are good but excellent.
We own diffrenet cars from japanes and korean manufactures the best best I can sit on for hours without feeling any pain in my back is Hyundai santa fe 2020 leather seat. Hyiundai provides better seat than Suabru

 

Hello, I hope everyone is doing well. I am quite seriously thinking of trading in my 2023 Crosstrek Sport 6-speed for a 2024 Outback XT Premium. [Or whatever the top Outback is] The one with the turbo. And would be doing so for one reason only. SEAT COMFORT. No matter what I do I can't get comfortable in my Crosstrek. I installed 'Seat Jackers' that raised the front of the seat up by an inch and that helped - a little. And I stuck a pad on the side of the console to keep my leg from being poked into. That helped a little too. But I bought this car to drive across Canada someday soon. And given that my legs hurt after about half-an-hour or so.... it would not be a pleasant trip. So I'm very seriously thinking of trading it in. IF you own an new Outback [the latest version] could you please tell me if you think it's more comfortable than your Crosstrek. Or if it's not. I'd hate to spend another $20,000+ dollars for another uncomfortable car. Thanks Craig 🦵+Crosstrek=Ouch!

We have a 2024 Outback Wilderness and can tell you that the seats are very uncomfortable for long drives. This is our first Subaru and I was surprised at the discomfort. We live in rural NV so we do a lot of hour+ drives. On the hunt for a solution to make it more comfortable since we really like the offroad capabilities of the Outback Wilderness. Drove it out and about around the Black Rock desert and it did amazingly well. So well that we're determined to fix the seats and not replace it with a Bronco

 

And there's the rub. I am [also] so impressed with my little Crosstrek for so many reasons that I'm determined to find some way to be OK with the seat. [And centre console] So far... willing myself NOT to be uncomfortable seems to be working a bit. lol I especially like the manual transmission. If you find something that helps be sure to let me know. I once considered buying genuine sheepskin seat covers. Maybe that would help. Thanks for the reply.

 

And there's the rub. I am [also] so impressed with my little Crosstrek for so many reasons that I'm determined to find some way to be OK with the seat. [And centre console] So far... willing myself NOT to be uncomfortable seems to be working a bit. lol I especially like the manual transmission. If you find something that helps be sure to let me know. I once considered buying genuine sheepskin seat covers. Maybe that would help. Thanks for the reply.

BTW, no problems in the Outback with the centre console. We're trying these two cushions and they both are working well One is much thicker than the other while the other fits the seat better. Think between the two, we have a solution and

 

BTW, no problems in the Outback with the centre console. We're trying these two cushions and they both are working well One is much thicker than the other while the other fits the seat better. Think between the two, we have a solution and

Oops, shouldn't have shared links. The thick one is a "Everlasting Comfort Car and Truck Seat Cushion - Memory Foam Wedge Chair Driving Pillow (Black)" and the one that fits the seat better is "kingphenix Car Seat Cushion with 1.2inch Comfort Memory Foam, Seat Cushion for Car and Office Chair (Black)"
Both are from Amazon.

 

WOW, quite few of opposing views here.
We have both the 2024 Outback Wilderness & 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness, Have no issues with seating in either.
With that said, I did notice that the seats in the Outback do have larger-tighter-form fitting side bolsters than the Crosstrek
Both the wife and I have found seats to be satisfactory. ( wife has just finished her 7th back surgery in July still recovering)

 

WOW, quite few of opposing views here.

Not surprising as comfort is subjective. One person's pure pleasure can be another person's torture device. Just like some people like a firm mattress while others like a soft mattress.

Your best bet is to try out each and decide for yourself.

 

Hello,

I hope everyone is doing well.

I am quite seriously thinking of trading in my 2023 Crosstrek Sport 6-speed for a 2024 Outback XT Premium. [Or whatever the top Outback is] The one with the turbo. And would be doing so for one reason only. SEAT COMFORT. No matter what I do I can't get comfortable in my Crosstrek. I installed 'Seat Jackers' that raised the front of the seat up by an inch and that helped - a little. And I stuck a pad on the side of the console to keep my leg from being poked into. That helped a little too. But I bought this car to drive across Canada someday soon. And given that my legs hurt after about half-an-hour or so.... it would not be a pleasant trip. So I'm very seriously thinking of trading it in.

IF you own an new Outback [the latest version] could you please tell me if you think it's more comfortable than your Crosstrek. Or if it's not. I'd hate to spend another $20,000+ dollars for another uncomfortable car.

Thanks
LCraig

🦵+Crosstrek=Ouch!

I own a 2003 Forester, 2017 Impreza, and 2023 Crosstrek, all are base trim level and manual transmissions. We drive them FL to TX to NH, at least 3 round trips total each year. They are ALL uncomfortable for long trips, especially for the driver, since your positions are more limited. The Crosstrek is the best, but still needs a cushion. Buy several memory foam car seat cushions, or better, some well rated desk chair cushions, and try them. Play with seat position, back angle, steering wheel height, and on the Crosstrek, wheel in/out distance. I've always been able to find a position/cushion combination that works for 4-6 hour stints without any real discomfort. Let the passenger try the leftovers, though shifting position in that seat also helps a lot. FWIW, I'm 80, but reasonably fit, with no back problems, just old age. I'll also note that if the road is "interesting", you won't notice the discomfort, even w/o the cushion. But I-10/I-95 are not interesting.
BTW, test drive the Outback. I found even the new Forester felt "heavy" and lifeless compared to my 03 and the two Impreza bodied cars.
Phil

 

This is an interesting thread. I'm shopping for a desk chair at the moment and I wish I could find a seat as comfortable as the seat in my 2022 Outback Wilderness. I've driven over 30,000 miles in it and it the most comfortable seat I've ever sat on. I'm literally outside a furniture store right now wishing I could only find something as comfortable as this seat. So far I have not succeeded.

 

I just got a 2025 Crosstrek sport. Love everything but not the seats. They have the high wings that come up on the back and the seat. The seats are so narrow I don’t fit in them well, and I’m not huge.

I’m actually getting a sort of sciatica. I have to sit a little torqued because no matter how I adjusted the seatbelt digs me. I’m waking up with pain in my right leg. And I have a disk issue that the top part of the seat aggravates. They’re just so narrow with such high wings on them.

 

I have 2016 and tell yah the seats on that outback are more comfy than those on my 2023XT..
I driven that OB CC and dang they are comfy...
Ever thought of sourcing OB seats for the XT? Just an idea.. don't know if the would physically and/ or electrically fit