Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek that is all new this year. It is a 5 door crossover that is roomy and overall it is very comfortable. The cargo space was adequate, but I had the occasion to load a wheel chair for a 95 year old grandma and it barely fit, but awkwardly and it consumed the entire space. Ok, so how often will you need to take grandma with a wheel chair somewhere, right? Actually the roof rails would have worked. Leave grandma in the chair and strap her to the roof … like in one of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series with Chevy Chase, for you movie buffs.
Or would it be better if you put the kids up there (instead of Grandma), with their iPhones and video games. They are so consumed by their digital life they wouldn’t know the difference. Come-on you know what I mean. God forbid that those same kids are given the keys to the car – texting and playing games while at the wheel? Really!
Although it is not likely it will ever get “Off Road” it is still capable to do so. They’ve done a good job balancing road clearance. XV comes in two models – Premium and Limited with different options.
General Information:
Parts from the US / Canada n/a, Japan n/a. It is assembled in Japan, Classification is Compact / Crossover.Cars from Subaru: BRZ, Forester, Impreza, Impreza WRX, Legacy, Outback, Tribeca, XV Crosstrek.
Handling & Performance:
All wheel drive always (for Subaru) is comforting to drive and there is little or no slipping of the wheels relative to a two wheel drive car. The Boxer engine description is just to say that the pistons in this internal combustion engine lie flat or horizontally opposed. More importantly, it develops 148 horsepower which is just right for this 5 passenger car. It has surprisingly quick off the line and at highway cruising speed it is nicely responsive for passing.
Styling:
It is a new car for 2013 but it is pretty ‘generic’ in styling for most SUV offerings.
Fit and Finish:
Subaru’s are always well assembled. Remember the early days of automobiles when even the best of them didn’t fit together well but it wasn’t expected. You were just happy to have wheels, and that was true as recent as the 1970s when cars didn’t run all that well anyway so how well the seams fit was the least of their worries.
Cost:
If you consider all you get standard in the Subaru this Crosstrek is priced very well. AWD (all wheel drive) is a big thing, costs a lot and provides a degree of safety on the road, the benefit of which can’t be discounted. Few cars have perfected AWD as well as Subaru and ALL Subaru’s are AWD.
Conveniences and comfort:
This Premium is well equipped with all the features I come to expect in today’s world of cars. By comparison, my first VW Bug in the 1970s had heater outlets on the base board in the rear and that was a point of discussion. Wow, that was cool, and that was the only feature other than it had a radio with push buttons no less. It was a comfort just to know it would start and you would get where you were going eventually. Cars today spoil the heck out of us, so there is little to complain about.
Consumer Recommendation:
The cars in class are all so close in price that it is safe to say consumers will fall back and buy based on their past personal experience. I encourage you to look at new or different brands than you have relied on when you’re ready to search for your next car. Korean made Hyundai is particularly interesting to me along with its sister company Kia. Smart (Mercedes Benz made) is considered competition in this grouping but I don’t consider it in this field. Chevrolet is also worth a long look.
Of the most similar noted here, the Outlander Sport is also AWD and the others are FWD.
Recognized Competition:
Subaru XV Crosstrek $22,000, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport $22,000, Ford Escape $22,000, Mitsubishi Outlander $23,000.
Good News:
Roomy, comfortable, responsive and good fuel economy (one consumer said he got 37 mpg highway).
Bad News:
Limited cargo space if you have 4 passengers.
Standard Equipment:
2.0 liter 4-cylinder 148 horsepower Boxer engine, all wheel drive,
17” aluminum alloy wheels, dynamic control, continuous variable transmission, heated front seats and mirrors, wiper de-icer, privacy glass, tilt /telescoping steering wheel with controls for audio, cruis control and Bluetooth, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with brake assist, Roof rails, 12 v outlets in dash and console, O/S temp gauge with road surface freeze indicator, power windows and locks.
Gas Stats:
$3.77 / Gal avg. November 27, 2012
For more information.
25 City and 33 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $21,995.
Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is joe@atthewheel.com
