Autozine – Autotest: Subaru Crosstrek

To begin with the configuration. Subaru doesn’t start with a futuristic looking concept car and then try to find a place for the technology under the beautiful bodywork. At Subaru, function comes before form. A completely safe chassis is designed around the train. And only when all the technology, machinery and safety features are in place do the designers start working. The Crosstrek may not look as balanced or attractive as its competitors, but Subaru has a good reason for that!

And, compared to its predecessor (Subaru XV), the Crosstrek certainly looks more modern and looks more confident. The dimensions have remained roughly the same. As the name implies, the Crosstrek is a real “crossover” with the ground clearance of an SUV or off-road vehicle and the body of a solid passenger car.

Room

Because the external dimensions have not changed much, the internal space has also remained roughly the same. Front space is more than enough. Because the seats can be adjusted over a large distance, tall drivers can sit down and lean back, while short drivers can sit up and close to the steering wheel. With older adults in the front, there’s enough room in the back for two more adults.

After much research, Subaru has revised the shape and placement of the front seats. As a result, the seats would provide additional comfort and the occupants would move less with the car. Although no significant difference with the average seats was found, it must be said that the driver and co-driver were not completely tired after the big test drive.

Equipment

Until now, Subaru has not followed the trend of a small dashboard with a minimum number of buttons and levers. The Crosstrek also has a traditional dashboard with real buttons and analog clocks. Because most cars now have small dashboards, the Crosstrek’s design feels like a throwback. The display cannot be changed to your own mood or taste. Some praise Subaru’s choice especially because all the functions are always available and there is no need to navigate through the menus first.

The equipment is modern and complete, including an infotainment system (audio, communication and navigation) and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Usually a Subaru

Subaru praises “Eyes View” which, thanks to two cameras, could see more depth than a single camera and therefore would work more precisely. However, due to fast image processing, the difference with the competition that uses a single camera is becoming smaller. Subaru is adding more and more functions. Thanks to Eye Sight, the Crosstrek can now read traffic signs, automatically avoid obstacles (if there’s space) and brake to cross traffic.

“Anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable with a computer on wheels thanks Subaru for further developing and perfecting the standard technology”

In addition, Subaru proudly reports how the specification has improved compared to the XV. For example, the rear window wiper is slightly larger than before for better visibility, the door handle has more hand space and the air flow to the front wheels is better thanks to the plastic surround design. However, in practice a little of this is seen and similar measures are also taken by the competition, but they are not mentioned.

Engine

The Crosstrek is powered by a traditional gasoline engine. This power source is based on that of the XV, but has become more economical thanks to minor modifications. The so-called “mild hybrid” has a 2.0 liter boxer engine and a small electric motor. When coasting and stationary, kinetic energy is converted into electricity, so you’ll never have to charge and plug it in. The term “mini hybrid” means a standard electric motor (16 hp / 66 Nm) and a battery (0.6 kWh / 118 volts). This has the disadvantage that the electric motor part is smaller and the advantage that it is cheaper to buy than a “full hybrid”.

Power from the engine is transmitted to all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”). Subaru chooses a CVT because it’s cheaper and more compact than an automatic with a fixed transmission ratio. The downside is the whining engine noise during sudden acceleration. By building power in such a way that the electric motor provides maximum assistance during acceleration, that annoying noise is prevented and consumption is reduced. And when the best use is made with the help of an electric motor, the Crosstrek is lively and powerful.

However, the electric motor part remains relatively small and therefore the savings are also small. In an easy way at low speed, the test consumption was 7.8 liters per 100 km (factory specification: 7.7 liters per 100 km). Partly due to the associated high CO2 emissions, the CO2 tax in the Netherlands is very high. The Crosstrek is more expensive to buy and run than the same car as a full electric car.

Therefore, Subaru focuses mainly on drivers who find electric cars sterile and place importance on the sound, power output and behavior of the combustion engine. And with a boxer engine, CVT and four-wheel drive, Subaru uses that technology as only Subaru can!

Driving habits

The technology perfected by Subaru also determines the driving characteristics of the car. Although electric cars know how to hide their high weight, the Crosstrek is lighter and therefore more lively. A steering wheel that feels good in the hand, a good seating position and direct steering add to that feeling.

The added value of the Crosstrack over any hatchback is the ability to leave the beaten track and go off-road. This is thanks to the aforementioned four-wheel drive, supplemented by high ground clearance (22 cm) and smart electronics. Under the head “X Mode” Various modes are available to make driving in mud or snow easier, for example.

For this test we drove through the forest and deep mud on wet grass, alternating with steep slopes and small obstacles (tree trunks). In practice, the restriction is at small entry and exit angles (19.3 and 31.2 degrees), which makes deep holes a problem. Regardless of the surface, the electronics know how to distribute the driving force, even if the wheel temporarily has less grip. That’s why it takes much less effort to maintain the desired track than with a car without these electronics. During dismounting, each wheel is checked individually, so that the vehicle remains safe to drive.

Conclusion

How can Subaru differentiate itself now that Subaru’s signature all-wheel drive along with a low center of gravity and high level of safety have been made commonplace with electric vehicles? By completely ignoring that fact! With the Crosstrek, Subaru is sticking with the concepts and technology it has perfected over the years.

Whether that’s good or bad news is purely subjective. Those who are comfortable with the latest technology see the Crosstrek as a complex solution to problems that can now be solved more easily, environmentally friendly and cheaper. However, Anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable with a computer on wheels thanks Subaru for further developing and perfecting conventional technology. They feel comfortable with the familiar combustion engine, mechanically controlled four-wheel drive and the all-important electronic assistance. And that’s what Subaru does so well. In short: this shoemaker holds up his end.