Subaru Crosstrek comes extensively revised

Crossover in the driving report
Subaru Crosstrek comes extensively revised

A new Subaru? Not quite, the Crosstrek is more of a revision of the previously offered XV. The Japanese five-door model is still not free from weaknesses, but it impresses with typical brand virtues, complete safety equipment and good workmanship.

A new Subaru is somewhat of a rarity. The small Japanese brand, which is often praised for its long-term quality, does not bring new models onto the market very often, most recently the Solterra electric car, which is identical to the Toyota bZ4X. However, the Crosstrek is not a real newcomer, but rather the successor to the XV, the best-selling Subaru model in Europe. The expectations for the crossover, which is available now and at prices starting at 34,790 euros, are correspondingly high.

Incidentally, he took the name from the USA, where the XV has always been called Crosstrek and where the brand sells more vehicles than in Japan. The third generation is on the same platform as its predecessor, so you can confidently speak of an extensive revision rather than a completely new model.

Four-cylinder not a paragon of dynamism

Much of the Crosstrek is typically Subaru, such as the standard all-wheel drive, the continuously variable automatic transmission, the boxer engine and the complete safety equipment. Only the 2.0-liter gasoline engine is available as a drive; the smaller variant with a displacement of 1.6 liters has been deleted. However, the larger four-cylinder with its 136 hp is not a paragon of dynamism. It has never been that way, but now – in order to get the engine cleaner – it has even lost power, exactly 14 HP and 12 Newton meters (182 Nm maximum). The crossover's top speed increases by 5 km/h to 198 km/h.

The values ​​already show that the Crosstrek is not designed for particularly dynamic locomotion. A small electric motor housed in the CVT (Lineartronic) transmission with almost 17 hp helps, especially when accelerating, but it is not particularly noticeable. And not new either, the

Although the Crosstrek doesn't seem to convey much classic driving fun, as a driver you still feel comfortable behind the wheel in the cleanly finished interior, which unfortunately also has a lot of hard plastic. Compared to its predecessor, the vehicle appears to be more manageable, more agile and takes corners more precisely. Thanks to the standard all-wheel drive, the Subaru doesn't have traction problems anyway.

It is also significantly quieter and the chassis has been tuned to be a little more comfortable. Anyone who is fundamentally not a fan of CVT transmissions and their specific characteristics – such as the howling engine when the accelerator pedal is pressed harder – will not be happy with the Lineartronic, even if the automatic transmission can simulate seven shift levels and there are two driving modes, in addition to “I”. for Intelligent, so more of an Eco mode, also “S” for Sport. Here the gears are changed later and faster, which ensures at least a minimum of driving pleasure.

Upgraded interior

The interior has been upgraded with a number of measures. Instead of two smaller screens as before, there is now a touchscreen with an 11.6-inch screen diagonal.

A special feature of the Crosstrek is the “what3words” function, which is integrated into the navigation (from “Comfort”) and is also used by other brands. The entire world map is divided into 3×3 meter areas, each of which has a combination of three words. Instead of the address, all you have to do is enter the words, even using voice control, to start the navigation.

The 4.50 meter long Crosstrek offers enough space at the front and back. However, the trunk is quite small at 315 liters; if necessary, it can be expanded to just over 1300 liters by folding down the rear seats. On the outside, the changes to the XV are marginal. The plastic frame around the three-dimensionally shaped wheel arches is now more angular and decorated with air vents at the front. The headlights and taillights have been shaped more sculpturally, which, together with the larger radiator grille and the more dynamic front and rear apron, gives the vehicle more character and value.

Extensive safety features starting from the basic version

Subaru deserves praise for the extensive safety equipment, which is available from the basic “Trend” equipment (34,790 euros). In the “Active” version (36,990 euros) the Crosstrek is equipped with 18 instead of 17 aluminum and there are, among other things, electrically adjustable front seats and a high beam assistant. “Comfort” (38,390 euros) offers not only the navigation system but also a heated steering wheel. The “Platinum” version (40,390 euros) finally has leather seats and a glass sliding roof on board.

The Crosstrek is not free from weaknesses, which include, in addition to the lack of drive selection, the less dynamic engine and the small trunk. On the plus side, the five-door model has the complete comfort and safety equipment including all-wheel drive and automatic transmission in the basic version. Above all, however, the Crosstrek is a typical model of the Subaru brand: it doesn't want to or has to please everyone, in its own way it even seems a little out of date, but for that very reason it will certainly be well received by the brand's small but loyal fan base.

Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i – technical data

• Five-door, five-seat crossover in the compact class
• Length: 4.50 meters, width: 1.80 meters, height: 1.60 meters, wheelbase: 2.67 meters, trunk volume: 315-1314 liters
• 2.0 liter petrol engine, 100 kW/136 hp, automatic (continuously variable), all-wheel drive, maximum torque: 182 Nm at 4,000 rpm, electric motor with 12.3 kW/16.7 hp and 66 Newton meters of torque
• 0-100 km/h: 10.8 s, Vmax: 198 km/h
• Average consumption: 7.7 liters, CO2 emissions: 174 g/km
• Price: from 34,790 euros