2018 Subaru Crosstrek

An Automotive Love Affair
By Joe Mavilia

Overview:

This is the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek which is a small SUV with a manual transmission. It is interesting to note, last time I looked, only 3% of cars are equipped with manual transmissions. Pretty rare and thus you have to wonder why manufacturers still equip their cars that way.

A company I worked with for many years confirmed my understanding of the fact that most people simply don’t know how to drive a “Stick Shift”. In the state of today’s cars and trucks there is very limited advantage to manual transmissions. The reason I came to understand it is that equipment with manual transmissions were being broken all too often. Clutches were going out and it pointed to poor driver training.

I get a similar feeling in the Subaru I get driving a Jeep Wrangler, but the Subaru is pretty in dress up clothes. And although it is not as comfortable off road as the Jeep, Subaru is surely capable off the highway if needed and still doubles as a family sedan.

General Information:

Class – Small SUV – Cars from Subaru – BRZ, Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback, WRX.

Handling & Performance:

Subaru’s all-wheel drive, standard on all their cars, gives great handling characteristics. Nice. It is also more than adequate with a 152 horsepower

Styling:

Subaru is an image of all around utility because of the all-wheel drive and higher profile for off road ability. Meanwhile it has a pretty face.

Fit and Finish:

Very Good.

Cost:

Excellent value. Remember this is an all-wheel drive company. All models are the same but since Subaru does it all the time it does it better than most that charge much more for that capable feature.

Conveniences and comfort:

Good features and great if you consider the pricing.

Consumer Recommendations:

If you are an outdoors guy or gal this is a great option for the physically active lifestyle.
It’s a good company making good cars.

Recognized Competition:

Good News:

Great pricing, AWD for those off-road times, doubles as a family sedan.

Bad News:

n/a

Standard Equipment:

2.0 liter 152 HP 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission, Symmetrical all-wheel-drive, dynamic control, 17” alloy wheels, 4-wheel ABS, power assist disc brakes, Hill-start assist, standard roof rails, rear vision camera, Multimedia system with 6.5” touch high resolution display, smartphone integration with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, Aha and Pandora, Bluetooth hands free phone connectivity and audio streaming, Steering wheel Audio and Bluetooth control switches, electric power steering, display provides fuel economy, speed monitoring, digital clock and temperature, power windows and door locks and mirrors, tire pressure monitoring system. Crosstrek specific features includes All-weather package, 6-speaker’s audio, cloth upholstery, leather wrapped steering wheel, fog lights, auto headlights.

Gas Stats:

$2.99 / Gal avg. January 16, 2018

www.fueleconomy.gov
for more information.

23 City and 29 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $22,595