- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru Fr He
Subaru Crosstrek. American XV
It would seem that this is just another compact SUV. But it’s a Subaru! This means that the vehicle will be special, safe and four-wheel drive. The Subaru Crosstrek is a compact SUV, the American twin of the Subaru XV and a production model based on the XV Concept. In the USA, it is sold in three trim levels, one of which has a hybrid system. For the North American market, the vehicle was unveiled at the 2017 New York Auto Show. Like the global XV model, the new Subaru Crosstrek is assembled on a completely new platform: its body stiffness has been increased by 70%, handling and stability indicators have been improved, and noise levels have been reduced. Since the car has become a little larger, the wheelbase has grown by 30 mm and its interior has become more spacious.
Israeli buyers can purchase the 2nd generation Subaru XV restyled in 2020. The car comes standard with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 114 hp. There is also a more dynamic 2-liter naturally aspirated engine with 152 hp. Both engines work in tandem with a CVT (a metal chain is used instead of a belt, this variator is considered to be very efficient and reliable) and all-wheel drive.
Subaru’s American website proudly states that 96% of Subaru vehicles sold in the past 10 years are still in service. According to the Kelley Blue Book rating, Subaru has been the most trusted brand for seven consecutive years. And in the fall of 2021, the Crosstrek was the fastest-selling vehicle in the USA!
The first generation
It has been produced since 2017, and was restyled in 2020. The Subaru Crosstrek looks energetic. Its compact body resembles a cat preparing to jump and clearly meets the Dynamic & Solid concept. The SUV is 4,485 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,615 mm high. The wheelbase reaches 2,665 mm, and the ground clearance equals 220 mm. The SUV’s nature is emphasized by unpainted plastic overlays on the arches.
The car is equipped with a 2-liter 4-cylinder FB20 boxer engine with 150 hp and a torque of 196 Nm or a hybrid system. It uses the same but modified FB20X motor, generating 137 hp (182 Nm). An 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery powers two electric motors, providing up to 27 km of driving range on a single electric drive. It will take you two hours to charge the battery from a 220-volt household network or about five hours if you use a 120-volt network. The hybrid version accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds, which is almost a second faster than the gasoline version.
According to the Kelley Blue Book rating, Subaru has been the most trusted brand for seven consecutive years
As for the transmission, the gasoline version can be equipped with a CVT or a 6-speed manual transmission, while a hybrid version can only have a CVT. All vehicles are all-wheel drive. The vehicle features a MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a multi-link suspension with a steering effect at the rear. The gasoline version has a trunk volume of 385 liters, whereas the hybrid version can offer a 340-liter trunk.
Just like the majority of American vehicles, the new Subaru Crosstrek is well equipped. Thus, the entry-level version comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto services and a 6.5-inch screen. The top-end version offers adaptive LED headlights, leather upholstery and an 8-inch media system, as well as the EyeSight safety package, which includes adaptive cruise control with automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. The list of options includes an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a heated steering wheel and other equipment such as automatic high beams and reversing assist.
2020 restyling
At the end of the summer of 2020, the restyled Subaru Crosstrek appeared in the USA. The SUV features a more powerful 2.5-liter boxer direct injection engine, producing 185 hp and 239 Nm, paired with a Lineartronic CVT. The restyled Crosstrek is distinguished by different bumpers, enlarged fog lamp sections and a large-mesh radiator grille. And the EyeSight package now includes adaptive cruise control with a lane keeping assist system.
The hybrid SUV has become a more efficient plug-in hybrid. It uses Subaru’s StarDrive technology to combine the efficiency of a plug-in electric vehicle for city driving with the long-range capabilities of a gasoline engine. Two motor generators “cooperate” with the gasoline engine, one of which is located behind the front axle and the other directly in front of the rear axle, as well as a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 8.8 kWh. The vehicle is capable of driving up to 27 km solely on electric energy. EPA-certified fuel efficiency figures are as follows: 3.16 liters per 100 kilometers and a total driving range of 770 km.
In the autumn of 2021, the Crosstrek was the fastest-selling vehicle in the USA!
Moreover, the 2020/2021 Subaru Crosstrek now has a new Sport version, featuring different bumpers, more expressive fender flares and 17-inch wheels. The interior flaunts special faux leather seat trim and decorative elements in body color. The X-Mode driving mode offers two options: Snow/Primer and Deep Snow/Mud.
In 2021, the SUV was updated again. The 2021/2022 Subaru Crosstrek received an updated suspension with new springs and dampers. The Japanese automaker claims that these improvements should provide ‘better ride, handling and steering response’. The vehicle also features a new bumper with redesigned fog lights and a slightly modified radiator grille. By the way, a new generation prototype is already being tested, and it may appear in 2022.
