Subaru XV Crosstrek

[Jeff7181]

The XV Crosstrek caught my eye lately in my search for a different car. 33mpg highway, Suburu's AWD and >8 inches of ground clearance for under $30k is pretty attractive given my 80 mile daily commute for work and the Michigan winters I have to deal with. Any thoughts on this vehicle? A lot of reviews call it a "jacked up Impreza hatchback" which seems pretty accurate to me.

 

[NutBucket]

I like it. Under $30k is a bit generous. Should really state under $25k

But as one mag put it, between this, the Outback and the Forester Subaru which are all about the same money there really is something for every taste.

 

[ViviTheMage]

hey, that thing is not so ugly! Cheap too.

Shame it is only a 5 speed manual, should be 6!

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Unless you need the ground clearance or just really like the jacked up looks - why not just go with the standard Impreza Hatch and its lower center of gravity.

Its the same AWD system and engine/trans combo.

Great cars but anemic on power and of course the CVT trans that some love/hate. Interior materials are better than years past but still could use a upgrade.

 

[thescreensavers]

hey, that thing is not so ugly! Cheap too.

Shame it is only a 5 speed manual, should be 6!

Yea I know, I feel it even more with my 2013 WRX but the 5 speed is just fine.

Sometimes its a pleasure not to have to shift as much but cant really start in second.

 

[phucheneh]

It looks like an Impreza banged a Pontiac Vibe.

...I don't mind it. It's not 'pretty,' but it looks okay, and I can get with the concept of a slightly lifted Impreza. Probably the most literal 'crossover' I've seen: with the ride height and AWD, it's more capable than a lot of SUV's, but it's still basically a four door hatch.

Tell me you can get it without those horrid wheels that they all seem to have, though.

edit: and body color trim. I dislike the whole 'I'm a crossover so I need grey cladding' thing. See: Outback, XC70, Infiniti FX, ect. Anything that's a car chassis with a lifted suspension, it seems.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Unless you need the ground clearance or just really like the jacked up looks - why not just go with the standard Impreza Hatch and its lower center of gravity.

Its the same AWD system and engine/trans combo.

Great cars but anemic on power and of course the CVT trans that some love/hate. Interior materials are better than years past but still could use a upgrade.

And if you need the ground clearance get the Forrester or Outback and get more space.

Sadly the Crosstek is an answer to a question no one asked.

 

[phucheneh]

And if you need the ground clearance get the Forrester or Outback and get more space.

Sadly the Crosstek is an answer to a question no one asked.

Tell that to the Nissan Juke. It appears rather similar...but lacks the Subie AWD system and is even smaller. It has done rather well.

There's definitely a market for smaller vehicles that sit high, silly as that height distinction may seem.

 

[Jumpem]

Unless you need the ground clearance or just really like the jacked up looks - why not just go with the standard Impreza Hatch and its lower center of gravity.

Its the same AWD system and engine/trans combo.

Great cars but anemic on power and of course the CVT trans that some love/hate. Interior materials are better than years past but still could use a upgrade.

Ground clearance is a big plus. I would buy the XV, but would never consider an Impreza.

 

[Throckmorton]

My car bottoms out on Houston roads... more ground clearance sounds pretty good.

 

[Phanuel]

Ground clearance is a big plus. I would buy the XV, but would never consider an Impreza.

But what are you doing that you need the ground clearance for? I think the big downside to the XV is that it has one engine and is relatively gutless and paired with a "meh" transmission.

Other than that, I like the idea of it.

 

[Jeff7181]

I think I'll try to test drive one this weekend. I like the ground clearance for the Michigan winters and supposedly it can tow 1500 pounds which would be nice if I ever do what I've always wanted and take my ZX6R around the country to various track days. I don't mind the wheels or the cladding. Less paint to chip is a good thing I think.

 

[Jumpem]

But what are you doing that you need the ground clearance for? I think the big downside to the XV is that it has one engine and is relatively gutless and paired with a "meh" transmission.

Other than that, I like the idea of it.

Unplowed roads, sharply sloped driveways and parking lots, no worries about curbs at the end of parking spaces.

Higher vehicles are also easier to get in and out of, and offer a better view of the road. The more SUV-like crossovers also have a more comfortable upright seating position.

 

[power_hour]

It's not bad. I haven't seen too many around here either. it kinda looks like a smaller Aztek

 

[Demo24]

I think I've seen one, but thats expected here. I like them, would probably buy one if I needed it, although a hotter version would be more appealing.

 

[Jeff7181]

Strangely enough... I like the orange best of all the colors in comes in. Normally I'd never consider an orange car, but it seems to work on that.

 

[slatr]

And if you need the ground clearance get the Forrester or Outback and get more space.

Sadly the Crosstek is an answer to a question no one asked.

For years, Europeans have ridiculed American buyers for their SUV addiction, but small-SUV sales are booming on the Continent right now. The new XV Crosstrek was conceived as a way for Subaru to capitalize on the trend, its tidy dimensions making it ideal for tight European roads. When U.S. dealers saw the XV, though, they loved it and convinced Subaru brass that it would be a hit with young urban families stateside. Here, it will be known as the XV Crosstrek.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2013-subaru-xv-crosstrek-first-drive-review

I love the wheels btw, different tastes I suppose.

 

[Jeff7181]

To me, it never made sense why Subaru would make an AWD vehicle with as little ground clearance as the Impreza and give it such an anemic engine. To me, the XV makes more sense than the Impreza.

 

[slatr]

I really like the idea of 30 or so mpg highway and AWD. Just FYI my Memphis dealer has a deal on some new foresters. http://www.subarumemphis.com/specials/new.htm

 

[Jeff7181]

I drove it today, it's smaller than I though it would be and smaller than I remember my coworkers Impreza being. I drove the Outback too. I really like the AWD system. Didn't take either home with me today but I liked them both. The Outback is a bit more than I wanted to spend and I really don't like the Forester, even though the incentives make it cheaper than the Crosstrek. The Outback actually seems more like something I could keep for 10 years.

 

[Demo24]

I drove it today, it's smaller than I though it would be and smaller than I remember my coworkers Impreza being. I drove the Outback too. I really like the AWD system. Didn't take either home with me today but I liked them both. The Outback is a bit more than I wanted to spend and I really don't like the Forester, even though the incentives make it cheaper than the Crosstrek. The Outback actually seems more like something I could keep for 10 years.

The Forrester is being replaced very soon, so may want to look at the new one. Not sure when the 2014 model gets on the lots, should be within a few weeks though. Gotten well reviewed.

Also I'm not sure if the 2013 outbacks have hit the lots yet or not, but that may help you get a decent deal on one.

Should easily last you ten years though, my impreza is going on 8 as is and still running strong.

 

[Jumpem]

The Forrester is being replaced very soon, so may want to look at the new one. Not sure when the 2014 model gets on the lots, should be within a few weeks though. Gotten well reviewed.

Also I'm not sure if the 2013 outbacks have hit the lots yet or not, but that may help you get a decent deal on one.

Should easily last you ten years though, my impreza is going on 8 as is and still running strong.

The 2014 Forester is supposed to be on lots late February or early March. I am looking to trade my 2010 Outback for one, probably in April when most of the snow is over.

 

[Zorba]

The Forrester is being replaced very soon, so may want to look at the new one. Not sure when the 2014 model gets on the lots, should be within a few weeks though. Gotten well reviewed.

Also I'm not sure if the 2013 outbacks have hit the lots yet or not, but that may help you get a decent deal on one.

Should easily last you ten years though, my impreza is going on 8 as is and still running strong.

My legacy is 14 years old now The only non-PM I had to it was replacing a locked up brake caliper and a leaking power steering pump. I actually just replaced the original rotors a couple months ago.

 

[Jeff7181]

Yeah, the reliability I'm not concerned about. What I meant was functionally, the Outback seems like it would still meet my needs in 10 years whereas the cramped Crosstrek probably wouldn't.

Now my biggest barrier to getting one is how far under water I am on my Jetta.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

The Impreza is significantly larger than it was in years past - and for a compact its one of the largest on the market when compared to cars like the Civic, Focus, Corolla, Mazda 3.

Surprised you found it small.