Subaru Crosstrek Review | Sticking to its Strengths
When it comes to replacing your car, you’ll either go for something similar or, if you’ve not been very happy or grown bored with it, switch brands.
If there’s one thing that car manufacturers desire, it’s a high level of customer satisfaction and customer retention. As is the case with most businesses, keeping a customer is generally easier than trying to find a new one.
Subaru isn’t a name on the lips of many car buyers when they start looking around for some new wheels but, even though Subaru sales are not large in the UK, their levels of customer retention are frequently ranked at No.1. In other words, once you’ve owned a Subaru, there’s a very high chance that you’ll go back for the same model, or something different in the Subaru range.
Out goes the XV, in comes the Crosstrek
Consequently, when Subaru launched the Crosstrek — which, in effect, replaces the XV model and sits behind the Forester and Outback — they played it with a straight bat and gave Subaru customers exactly what they like. Subaru has a reputation for giving its cars an all-wheel drive transmission, so that’s what the Crosstrek gets. You’ll possibly want to head off-road or cross a few streams, so up goes the ride height. Subaru also likes CVT automatic gearboxes. And, because Subaru is not a volume manufacturer, there’s a limited choice of powertrains — one, it’s a 134bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.
So, bearing in mind that the Subaru Crosstrek, like all Subarus, is aimed at folk who need a bit more ground clearance than your average SUV and prefer some extra traction on slippery, rutted or boggy surfaces, you’ll not be surprised to learn that the Subaru Crosstrek is a fairly common sight if you head out into the sticks. If you live in deepest Mayfair or Kensington, you’ll probably look elsewhere!
Driving Experience - On & Off-Road
When you consider what sort of terrain Subaru expects the Crosstrek to encounter, it’s perhaps surprising to discover that it’s a decent car to drive on the tarmac. The ride is fairly soft, but if you throw the Crosstrek into a corner, it doesn’t lean too much. It does tend to pitch and dive slightly on an undulating road, but once you get a move on, it rides nicely.
As with most CVT gearboxes, there is a tendency for revs to vanish into the stratosphere when you ask for some acceleration. The Subaru Crosstrek is no different. Floor the throttle when you want to overtake something and the resulting engine noise isn’t the best. However, once you ease off, everything settles to a distant thrum. The steering is nicely weighted and the brakes are positive. Overall, the Crosstrek is a relaxing car to punt along.
Head off the road, and you’ll be surprised how agile this SUV is. I went on the launch and had the chance to go off-piste. Some of the angles of approach, steep climbs and even steeper descents, were shrugged off by the Crosstrek…and it managed everything on road-going tyres too. Select the X-Mode which engages hill descent control and allows the four-wheel drive system to juggle the traction between the wheels, and you’ll be staggered by what this humble SUV can achieve. It’s impressive. A high driving position helps you judge distances.
On the open road, 0-60mph comes up in 10.8 seconds, so it’s no flying machine, but Subaru don’t market the Crosstrek along those lines. They’re aiming at the classic Subaru buyer who wants a compact SUV (this is the smallest car offered by Subaru) that has off-road ability. Its speed is 123mph and fuel economy is predicted to be in the high 30s mpg. And it’ll tow close to 1.3 tonnes.
Interior & Price
Inside is a clever mix of smart design, functionality, and being sufficiently hard wearing to take some knocks and scuffs. If you’re hopping in wearing some muddy wellies and a dripping jacket, you don’t want to ruin the deep pile carpet and quilted leather seats. Think cloth seats and rubber mats.
Prices for the Subaru Crosstrek start at £35,995, which is around average for this sort of 4x4 SUV car. There are two levels of trim…Limited and Touring. Every Crosstrek comes with a central 11.6-inch infotainment screen, which offers smartphone integration; DAB radio, LED headlights, auto wipers, powered and heated door mirrors, rear privacy glass, exterior body cladding to protect against scrapes from bushes or gravel, heated front seats, keyless entry and start, dual zone air con, and smart alloys. It’s worth mentioning that the screen also has buttons and knobs. It’s simple to operate.
Touring trim, which costs a further £2100, adds sat nav, bigger alloys, powered sunroof, powered front seats, leather upholstery, and steering wheel paddle shifters, but I’d stick with the lower level of trim…you get all the essentials, and you can use your smartphone for navigation.
Should you buy one?
Subaru knows its market. It knows what its loyal fanbase likes and tailors its cars accordingly. Don’t expect flashy, premium interiors, plush materials and loads of gadgets, because you won’t get them.
What you will get is a car that’s built for purpose…and I like that.
words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Subaru
