STEP INTO UNIQUE CROSSOVER
Subaru’s lively Crosstrek lets you travel off the beaten path ... if you want to
Utility vehicles used to project a tough, outdoorsy image, but these days they’ve become almost synonymous with minivans and other such family movers.
Sure, there are still some hardcore, trail-focused off-roaders out there, but they’re hard to justify when juggling bills and schedules and the growing needs of your dependents. But what if you’re not quite ready to kiss youth and adventure goodbye, and go quietly into that good night of dull practicality? Maybe your travels only take you off the beaten path but once or twice a year, but it’s important to know that you could.
Subaru has always cultivated that image rather well and has gained legions of fans. They include people from the outdoorsy and eco-conscious set, those in the arts and academia, and lovers of motorsports and quirky cars.
The Crosstrek debuted three years ago and now occupies the entry-level spot in Subaru’s crossover lineup, beneath the Forester and Outback. Originally named XV Crosstrek, it loses the “XV” for 2016, and gains a revised front grille and headlights.
The Crosstrek is based on the Impreza platform. If you think being car-derived is a bad thing, bear in mind that the Subaru Impreza is one of the most formidable competitors on the world rally stage. But the Crosstrek, as with most of Subaru’s more mildmannered offerings, does not come equipped with the much lauded Symmetrical AWD system of the company’s sportier performance vehicles. This system normally operates with a 50:50 front-to-rear power distribution and uses a tough, mechanical locking centre differential to send up to 80 per cent of available torque to whichever axle has the best grip. The newer system found in the Crosstrek has a 60:40 front bias, and uses VTD (variable torque distribution) and electronically controlled multi-plate clutches to control power delivery.
The computer-controlled clutches in the Crosstrek system can lock the torque split at 50:50 when maximum grip from all four wheels is needed. The new system is more sophisticated, but perhaps less robust than the mechanical system. The electronically controlled VTD system reacts more quickly, with the focus on prevention rather than performance.
Ramping up the rugged, outdoorsy factor, the Crosstrek wears tough body cladding and rides on unique, chunky wheels. New this year is standard LED interior illumination, and blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and Subaru Starlink cellphone integration on the upper trim models.
This week’s tester, a 2016 Crosstrek Limited, starts at $30,695 and adds the $1,200 Technology Package. Although the standard transmission in all but the Hybrid model is a five-speed manual, the Technology package is only available with CVT-equipped vehicles, adding another $1,300 to the price.
The cabin is plain, but more nicely executed than those of previous Subarus. It’s not the quietest of cabins, but there’s no compulsion to drown out wind and road noise with the radio. This is probably a good thing, given the audio system’s mediocrity. Steering is a bit numb, but decently weighted.
There’s an available seven-inch touch screen with the Starlink infotainment system, which features Siri Eyes Free but surprisingly doesn’t support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The level of standard features is most impressive; even the base models get heated seats, rear-view camera, Bluetooth, air conditioning, a 6.2-inch touch screen and allwheel drive.
Visibility is very good, thanks to lots of glass, “pedestal” side mirrors mounted aft of, instead of on, the narrow A-pillars. Cargo space is not as voluminous as it is in the Ford Escape or Toyota RAV4, but there’s a more than adequate 636 litres, which expands to 1,470 L with the rear seats flipped down.
Already highly rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning some of the highest possible scores in crash testing, the Crosstrek is also available with an EyeSight suite of safety technology. Bundled with the Technology Package, it features adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and forward-collision warning. With only 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, the 2.0-L engine isn’t overly powerful, but it’s certainly sufficient to enjoy the Crosstrek’s agility on a twisting cottage road. Enthusiasts will hate the CVT, but this one does a fairly good job of emulating conventional stepped gear shifts, especially when using the wheelmounted paddles. Crosstreks equipped with the CVT have an official fuel consumption rating of 9.1 L/100 km city and 7.0 highway; we averaged 8.7 L/100 km overall.
Although the Crosstrek lags behind some competitors in cargo capacity and power delivery, its excellent safety rating, lively handling and unique looks just might resonate with the buyer looking for something just a little bit different.