Subaru XV Crosstrek

[Harrod]

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

I'm not sure if you know about this, but Adventure Subaru is way cheaper than that place. Ofcourse, you'd have to drive across Arkansas to make the purchase.

 

[Demo24]

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.

I'd go for the outback then. Its a larger and more comfortable vehicle, if your planning on a ten year cycle then get the one you'll be most happy with. I love my impreza, but don't think I haven't thought about having a different vehicle instead. Just can't bring myself to sell it.

 

[Spades45]

this car is so ugly IMO, but if it works for you go ahead.

I've been casually thinking about a new car and can't decide between a used WRX or Matrix, or going bigger and looking at CRVs, Elements, and Outbacks.

decisions decisions

 

[Harrod]

Probably alittle bit of a thread hijacking, but I will be getting an outback in about 3 weeks. I do think that the xv looks ok, but at the dealership that I am getting my car at it is almost the same price as an base model outback, and within 2 grand of a base wrx.

 

[Jeff7181]

Probably alittle bit of a thread hijacking, but I will be getting an outback in about 3 weeks. I do think that the xv looks ok, but at the dealership that I am getting my car at it is almost the same price as an base model outback, and within 2 grand of a base wrx.

Yeah, for a couple grand more the Outback does seem to be a better choice unless you're sure you're not going to need anything bigger than the Crosstrek the entire time you own it. If I get one, it'll be an Outback... but it doesn't look like I'm going to. I didn't realize how far under water I am on my Jetta. I'll be keeping that until its paid off or dead since I don't have thousands of dollars to throw away just to have a better car.

 

[NutBucket]

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.

Huh? The XV has the same engine as the Impreza.

Anyway, AWD isn't just about fording rivers. It does make for a neutral handling and allows you to deal with minor snow. I don't need 9" of ground clearance to get around plowed roads/highways. But having AWD is nice so I don't have to bother with chains and such. Hell, our WRX barely makes it out of our underground parking garage without scraping.

 

[Jeff7181]

Huh? The XV has the same engine as the Impreza.

Anyway, AWD isn't just about fording rivers. It does make for a neutral handling and allows you to deal with minor snow. I don't need 9" of ground clearance to get around plowed roads/highways. But having AWD is nice so I don't have to bother with chains and such. Hell, our WRX barely makes it out of our underground parking garage without scraping.

Yes, it does, and it's anemic. I can see putting an anemic engine in something like the XV, that's not really meant to go fast. I can also see putting a powerful engine in a car that's lower to the ground for a more sporty vehicle. I can't see pairing a gutless engine with a car that's low to the ground. Well... I suppose I can, in the case of an economy car. The Impreza isn't much of an economy car, though. There are quite a few economy cars that get better fuel economy for a lower MSRP than the Impreza.

Subaru's in general are a bit of a niche market. Sure you get a few people who just bought the car because it looks nice and probably don't even know it has one of the best AWD systems available. But I think most people who own Subaru's own them because of the AWD system. Not because they're fuel efficient, fast, comfortable, luxurious or full of gadgets.

 

[NutBucket]

That's probably a decent generalization of everyone that didn't buy a WRX, STI, Legacy GT/Outback XT or Forester XT The aforementioned are plenty fast in addition to being well built and highly practical.

But definitely for the average buyer choosing an Impreza over a Civic probably doesn't make a ton of sense.

 

[Jumpem]

Huh? The XV has the same engine as the Impreza.

Anyway, AWD isn't just about fording rivers. It does make for a neutral handling and allows you to deal with major snow. I don't need 9" of ground clearance to get around plowed roads/highways. But having AWD is nice so I don't have to bother with chains and such. Hell, our WRX barely makes it out of our underground parking garage without scraping.

Fixed. Unplowed roads with a foot of snow have been effortless in my Outback and Forester.

 

[NutBucket]

But you need 9" of ground clearance, a V8 and a ladder frame for major snow!

That said, I don't think a lowered WRX would appreciate a foot of snow

 

[BurnItDwn]

Fixed. Unplowed roads with a foot of snow have been effortless in my Outback and Forester.

I had fun when we got 30+ inches of snow a couple of years ago in my Forester. The snow was halfway up the door, almost up to the window/windshield. I drove my car out of the driveway without shoveling anything, just to see if I could, surprised me that it had very little difficulty, even though I was running all seasons.

 

[Jumpem]

But you need 9" of ground clearance, a V8 and a ladder frame for major snow!

That said, I don't think a lowered WRX would appreciate a foot of snow

I'm close with 8.7" in my Outback.

 

[Throckmorton]

These ground clearance numbers are misleading. They don't include the suspension arms, which are of course much weaker than truck arms

 

[NutBucket]

True but we're talking about snow, not rock crawling

 

[Jeff7]

Yes, it does, and it's anemic. I can see putting an anemic engine in something like the XV, that's not really meant to go fast. I can also see putting a powerful engine in a car that's lower to the ground for a more sporty vehicle. I can't see pairing a gutless engine with a car that's low to the ground. Well... I suppose I can, in the case of an economy car. The Impreza isn't much of an economy car, though. There are quite a few economy cars that get better fuel economy for a lower MSRP than the Impreza.

Subaru's in general are a bit of a niche market. Sure you get a few people who just bought the car because it looks nice and probably don't even know it has one of the best AWD systems available. But I think most people who own Subaru's own them because of the AWD system. Not because they're fuel efficient, fast, comfortable, luxurious or full of gadgets.

I see quite a lot of Subarus here in Erie, PA.
Now, two factors at work:
1) We get a ridiculous amount of snow here. Most sane people move somewhere else. Those who are left get all-wheel-drive, and then sit at home singing songs about snow.
2) There's at least one Subaru dealership right here in town.

When I was looking for a car a year ago, this thought clicked at some point: "Oh yeah, AWD is one of those things that exists." Given that I'm still living in Erie for reasons I can't adequately explain, after nearly 8 years here, well, yeah, I decided I'd get something that could handle snow, and what I found online really talked up Subaru's AWD as being the best bet in my price range.

Fuel efficiency: For an AWD car, it's still pretty decent. Kind of unfortunate that it can't be switched to FWD for the slight mileage boost, but oh well.
It's definitely nice in the snow though. Places where my FWD Elantra (with snow tires even) could get stuck - the Impreza (2012) will get going rather well, even with all-seasons.

Ground clearance might be nice though: I still have to shovel the compacted snow and ice from the plows from the end of the driveway, otherwise I'd be scraping who-knows-what against the car's very-exposed underside. (Sometimes I think it'd be nice to have some manner of protective shield under there.) But the rest of my short driveway/parking spot doesn't really need shoveling; I can just drive right in.

And hey, compared to the cars I've driven before, it's pretty damned fancy and powerful.
Which probably says a little bit about the kinds of cars I and my parents had been able to afford. :sneaky:


(I primarily drive a car because I am in Location A, and I need to be at Location B in a reasonable amount of time. So, I need some manner of mobile box that will accomplish this, and perhaps make the trip comfortable and somewhat safe in the process. But I'm really just anxiously waiting for self-driving car tech to make it to the consumer market.:awe

 

[CraigRT]

hey, that thing is not so ugly!

Beer goggles?
That thing is disgusting looking.

 

[Throckmorton]

How is it disgusting? It's an Impreza with body cladding and a lift... To me it looks like a futuristic offroad buggy.

 

[Jeff7181]

How is it disgusting? It's an Impreza with body cladding and a lift... To me it looks like a futuristic offroad buggy.

I think they did a much better job building the Crosstrek than Nissan did building the Juke. The Juke is just a bit too goofy looking. It's interesting, and I wouldn't necessarily mind owning one, but it's small, like the Crosstrek, and given Subaru's AWD system, I can't imagine choosing the Juke over the Crosstrek. I imagine in the next year or two we'll see turbo models.

 

[NutBucket]

I doubt it. They never released a turbo Outback/Impreza Sport. Would be pretty slick though.

 

[Jeff7181]

I doubt it. They never released a turbo Outback/Impreza Sport. Would be pretty slick though.

They've gotta compete with the Juke-R, though.

 

[CraigRT]

How is it disgusting? It's an Impreza with body cladding and a lift... To me it looks like a futuristic offroad buggy.

The Impreza also looks horrible.. Of course, that is subjective. The last good looking Impreza was somewhere around 2000.

 

[CharlesOkoth]

@ Phucheneh...I would love those wheels. I own a 2010 Subaru Outback and I am looking to buy the CrossTrek wheels and place them in my Subby. Anyone who thinks they are ugly?....would love to buy from them!!!

 

[Zap]

One of my sister-in-laws just got a Crosstrek. I've ridden in it. Reasonably comfortable, and quite roomy inside. Feels more roomy than our 2011 WRX. Performance seems on par with any other econobox. SiL bought this to replace an aging Ford Explorer Sport with V6, and she mentioned that she misses the acceleration, but loves everything else.

 

[BeauCharles]

If I was going to get a 148HP engine and a CVT I'd go with the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Same HP, same CVT, same price range, AWD, good ground clearance and short overhangs, more cargo room, better warranty and much, much nicer looking. Was pricing one in SoCal where I've bought in the past and could get a 2013 Outlander Sport with AWD, 18" alloys and auto climate control for $19,500. That's about $4,000 less than a base Crosstrek with CVT at a local dealer (since they've jacked up the price for the Subaru name).

 

[NutBucket]

But its still a Mitsubishi. Sorry, would rather buy American.