Originally published Dec. 22, 2012
Cold though it is, I open the window this morning and shout “Merry Christmas” from the driver’s seat of Subaru’s new crossover, the Crosstrek.
The XV Crosstrek, which has just arrived in showrooms, is Subaru’s entry into the growing field of highly fuel-efficient compact crossovers at relatively low prices.
To attain the high miles-per-gallon delivery, Subaru offers the XV Crosstrek with a mild-mannered 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual transmission, estimated at 23/30 mpg. An even higher rating (25/33) is attached to one with the continuously variable transmission, instead of the manual. These are impressive figures for 3,100-pound, all-wheel-drive vehicles.
Suspension has been raised, giving the Crosstrek 8.7 inches of ground clearance, matching many larger vehicles. This feature and the mix of Subaru’s continuous AWD and the 5-speed carried Jan and me safely through 100 miles of blowing snow on Wednesday. Grip was excellent; only a couple slips were felt during braking on the slick highways.
We were somewhat of a spectacle against the snow-white background, as the Subaru is finished in tangerine orange exterior. Truthfully, it reminded me in color of a bright pumpkin.
The crossover has been fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels and Yokohama Geolandar P225/55R17 tires, as well as larger brakes than those found on the like-sized Subaru Impreza compact.
Sticker price on the model I drove is $22,790.
We loaded up the rear of the Crosstrek, during another drive, with several large packages from Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Its rear storage area is a roomy 22.3 cubic feet and is fitted with Subaru’s rubberized cargo tray, which is removable. Drop the rear seatbacks and the area expands to 52 cubic feet.
For four days of driving through the snow, on dry highway and back-and-forth in-city maneuvers, the Crosstrek averaged 28.1 mpg. This tops averages I have posted with competitive models, such as the Nissan Juke, Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
Performance is moderate with Subaru’s 2-liter, flat-4-boxer engine, which develops 148 horsepower and 145 lbs.-ft. of torque. With lower gears in the manual transmission, much lag time can be avoided, and the payoff, of course, is the higher mpg. A fuel tank of almost 16 gallons gives the Crosstrek a wide range of travel. Handling is good and the electric power steering is responsive, almost crisp.
A light-colored headliner brightened a rather dull black interior, featuring durable cloth seats. Headroom and legroom are aplenty in both front and rear areas. The standard audio system includes Bluetooth streaming, USB port and six speakers.
The Crosstrek offers two trim levels, Premium and Limited. Prices, beyond the review model’s $22,790, are $23,790 for Premium with CVT transmission and $25,290 for the Limited.
A look back
Thirty-five years ago, I reviewed in The Denver Post a 1978 Cadillac Seville. Excerpts:
Unusually comfortable seating, quietness provided by a well-insulated body and a suspension system that smoothed and leveled the ride made the test of a 1978 Cadillac Seville a good one. The small, but luxurious Seville, built on a 114-inch wheelbase, is a car that chimes (rather than buzzes) as a seat-belt warning. It has headlights that switch on automatically as darkness approaches. And when you drop it into drive, all four doors are locked. It was equipped with a fuel-injected 350-cubic-inch engine and automatic transmission, and averaged 16.6 miles per gallon on the highway. In spite of a 20-minute briefing on the car’s operation by Art Bowman, regional service assistant, the theft-deterrent system was triggered inadvertently when we parked the car enroute to a performance of “Hello, Dolly!”, and the horn began to honk and the lights began to flash. It was disarmed by inserting the key in the door lock. The Seville is about a foot-and-a-half shorter than the full-sized Caddies.
Sidebar: Exterior ‘dont’s’
When you roll off the lot, you want your new baby looking shiny as long as possible. Here are a few “don’ts.”
Don’t use dish soap to wash your car. It’s too abrasive and will dull the paint over time. Use soap designed specifically for cars. Don’t be too aggressive when polishing. Start gentle with a smoothing polish and always avoid overpolishing. Clear coat is essential to a long-lasting finish, and the more you polish, the less it’s working. Don’t apply too much wax. Wax bonds at a molecular level, meaning only a single layer is bonding to the paint. All that hazed wax you wipe off is excess and wasted.– Creative Services Staff
