Here’s why the Crosstrek is SUV to beat

Subaru’s 2018 Crosstrek 2.0i Limited subcompact SUV sets the standard for value and safety features in a small SUV that’s likely to be many parents’ vehicle of choice for kids with new driver’s licenses. Most teens will probably endorse that choice, because unlike conservative clothes, early curfews, getting plenty of rest and eating balanced meals, the Crosstrek isn’t just sensible, it’s cool.

The Crosstrek, which is all-new for 2018 despite looking a lot like last year’s model, offers a wide range of safety features and good fuel economy in chic SUV wrapping.

Need I mention it works with your iPhone and has a good sound system, or do you want me to shut up before your kids hear us talking about this?

Behind the Wheel

2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Limited All-wheel-drive, five-passenger subcompact SUV

Price as tested: $29,745 (excluding destination charge)

Rating: Four out of four stars

Reasons to buy: Safety features; value; practicality; fuel economy

Shortcomings: Power; road noise; looks like previous model

How much?

The Crosstrek is among the largest vehicles in the growing and popular class of subcompact SUVs. At 175.8 inches, it’s 14.5 inches longer than a Ford Ecosport, 8.2 inches longer than a Chevy Trax and 6.1 inches longer than a Honda HR-V. Other direct competitors include the Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade and Mazda CX-3. They’re all smaller than the Crosstrek, too.

For comparison to compact SUVs, the Chevrolet Equinox is 183.1 inches long and Subaru’s Forester measures 181.5 inches.

Crosstrek prices start at $21,795 for one with a six-speed manual transmission. Prices for Crosstreks with Subaru’s continuously variable automatic transmission start at $22,795.

A 152-horsepower, 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine and all-wheeldrive are standard on all Crosstreks.

I tested a well-equipped Crosstrek 2.0I Limited with the continuously variable transmission. Features included adaptive cruise control; front collision alert; front and rear autonomous braking; lane departure alert and assist; backup camera; blind spot and cross traffic alerts; automatic high beams; Harman Kardon audio; Apple CarPlay; Android Auto; power sunroof; 8.0-inch touch screen; navigation; Bluetooth compatibility; push button start; power locks, mirrors and windows. Oddly, the optional eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio included a built-in CD player, a feature that’s increasingly rare as USB and Bluetooth audio connections become ubiquitous.

The 2.0i Limited stickers at $26,295, while the safety and connectivity options raised the price of my test car to $29,745. All prices exclude destination charges.

Crosstrek prices are competitive with other subcompact SUVs. Few, if any, can match the Subaru’s safety and driver-assistance systems.

Competitive base prices

(excluding destination charges; automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive models) Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Limited AWD: $26,295 Chevrolet Trax Premier AWD: $28,800 Fiat 500X Lounge AWD: $27,415

Ford EcoSport Titanium AWD: $27,330 Honda HR-V EX-L w/navi AWD: $26,540 Hyundai Kona Ultimate 1.6L DCT AWD: $26,000

Jeep Renegade Limted AWD: $25,645 Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD: $26,415 Source: Autotrader

Outstanding features

The Crosstrek’s passenger compartment is larger than all the competitors except the Jeep Renegade. The front seat has plenty of leg and head room, and a small but useful storage bin in the center armrest. Rear legroom is as good as anything in the class. At 20.8 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 55.3 cubic feet with the back seat folded flat, cargo space is among the best in the class. Only the HR-V and Renegade offer more in both configurations.

In addition to its many safety features, the Crosstrek comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for easy, hands-free access to smartphone features, including music and navigation.

After several years when Subaru relied on balky touch-panel controls for audio and other features, the company has returned to conventional dials and buttons. Combined with good voice recognition and a large touch screen, the result is controls that are as simple and intuitive as anything on wheels.

The steering is responsive and the ride is smooth. The Crosstrek’s small size makes it exceptionally easy to park in tight spaces.

The adaptive cruise control, in addition to being rare on vehicles in this class, works well, smoothly maintaining space between vehicles in traffic.

The downside

The Crosstrek’s 2.0L horizontally opposed engine is smooth, but doesn’t generate a lot of power. Its 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque are among the lowest in the segment. Acceleration is adequate, but unexceptional.

Road and wind noise are very noticeable on rough surfaces and at highway speeds. It’s hard

to carry on a conversation with the hands-free phone system at highway speeds.

The Crosstrek is an all-new vehicle, based on a modern new vehicle architecture, but it looks so much like the old model that owners will be excused if they walk up to the wrong car in parking lots. The styling is not unattractive, but calling it derivative of its predecessor is an understatement.

Specifications as tested

Engine: 2.0L 16-valve horizontally opposed 4-cylinder

Power: 152 hp @ 6,000 rpm; 145 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable automatic Wheelbase: 104.9 inches Length: 175.8 inches Width: 71.0 inches Height: 63.3 inches

Curb Weight: 3,157 lbs.

Where assembled: Gunma, Japan

Facts and figures

The horizontally opposed engine and continuously variable transmission are about as smooth a combination as you’ll find. While the engine could use more power—particularly to compete with the torquey little turbos becoming common in the segment— transmission works well.

The Crosstrek’s fuel economy is as good as any vehicle in its class. That’s particularly impressive because of the Subaru’s roomy passenger and cargo compartments.

The EPA rates the Crosstrek at 27 m.p.g. in the city, 33 on the highway and 29 combined. The key combined figure matches the HR-V and CX-3 for best in class.

Competitive EPA fuel economy ratings

(Automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive models)

Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Limited AWD: 27/33/29. Regular

Chevrolet Trax Premier AWD: 24/30/27. Regular

Fiat 500X Lounge AWD: 2{9/24. Regular

Ford EcoSport 1.0L AWD: 23/29/25. Regular gasoline

Honda HR-V EX-L w/navi AWD: 27/3{9. Regular

Hyundai Kona Ultimate 1.6L DCT AWD: 26/29/27. Regular

Jeep Renegade Limited AWD: 2{9/24. Regular

Mazda CX-3 Grand Touring AWD: 27/32/29. Regular

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov