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If anything remotely crossover (or worse, sport-utility) makes you sick to your stomach, but you have a propensity for taking the road less travelled, then there is no other compact alternative save for the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek.
Extremely solid, well conceived, but not quite uniquely designed, the Crosstrek manages people, gear and treks off the beaten path with surprising, uneventful ease. Sadly, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) sours up what is otherwise a lovely go-anywhere-do-anything car.
Why not Outback Sport?
The Outback is without a doubt the best known Subaru product, ever. Fuji Heavy Industries can thank, in part, Paul Hogan for that. The Legacy based, sport-utility station wagon was such a huge hit at the end of the '90s that it spawned an Impreza-sourced version: The Outback Sport was born, and it did well.
I ask the above question because the new 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek uses the same ingredient and business plan as did the Sport. It begins by taking an existing 2013 Subaru Impreza 5-door and slapping on some exterior cladding all round, increasing the ride height to 220 mm or 8.7” (same as the Forester, which is better than the Jeep Grand Cherokee) and some unique wheels. That's pretty much it, and I really like it.
Friendly cabin
The final product is rugged and urban-friendly enough for any and all applications. The cabin is untouched from the regular Impreza. This means that the dash's layout is simple and, more importantly, functional. Soft-touch materials are commonplace, as are easy-to-navigate controls.
The seats are fair, lacking some lateral padding on the seatback up front. All measures of interior volume in the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek are aplenty as is the surprisingly capacious trunk for a compact car. Undoubtedly, the most appreciated aspect of the cabin's features is outward visibility. The low shoulder line, relatively narrow “A” pillars, and high hip seating position are all responsible for this.
Boxer-4 4EVER
Any self-respecting Subaru car must be powered by a horizontally opposed cylinder, internal combustion engine. The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek features the latest FB 2.0L 4-cylinder which is good for 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque.
The stated output is not standard-setting, but is plenty for this application. The principal goal of the de-volumized engine is fuel efficiency, which works. Rated at 8.2 city/6.0 highway L/100 km, I managed a reasonable 8.5L after my week-long test.
CVT woes
These results are due, in good part, to the presence of Subaru's Lineartronic CVT transmission. How do I feel about it? I can put it to you this way: The Subaru Impreza was a finalist on my list of cars to purchase. In the end, the CVT nixed it. Had the Subaru been equipped with a conventional automatic, it would be sitting comfortably in my driveway.
The impression or effect this ‘box has on the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek's drive is that of a worn-out slingshot. Stepping on the gas is met with some delay, followed by a slow swell of push.
The immediate reaction at this point is to release the throttle. As well, when using the wheel-mounted paddles (there are 6 pre-set gears) to manually downshift, the engine's speed does not drop quickly enough and makes the car scuttle forward.
Further woes come from the standard 5-speed manual gearbox which, as tested in a 2012 Impreza, not only increased fuel numbers but lacked bite and throttle response fell off.
Solid car
The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek is surprisingly lithe on its toes for an AWD hatchback. Its chassis is robust beyond question and is unaffected by ruts or sidewalks.
Let me explain: I drove over a tall sidewalk in order to get a few pictures by a wooded area. The amplitude and roughness of the climb would have discouraged me from doing this had I been in a “regular” compact crossover.
The slightly raised suspension poses no issue to the car's handling, much like the Outback. The front McPherson and rear double-wishbone suspension is firm but not punishing, all the while being very capable at filtering and controlling road harshness.
The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek's electric power steering is generally light and provides a fair amount of precision. Assistance and feedback are by no stretch of the imagination sporty, but the overall drive is very reassuring. For those who may have towing needs, the Crosstrek is capable of hauling up to 1,500 lb (680 kg); a rare capability in this segment.
Symmetrical AWD for the win
The final words of this review belong to the aspect that has made Subaru a household name, especially in the northern parts of the United States and Canada.
Subaru's and the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek's transparent and highly efficient Symmetrical AWD is without a doubt any driver's biggest ally in wintery months, along with a good set of winter tires. Traction and drivetrain reactions are immediate. To try it is to adopt it.
Extremely solid, well conceived, but not quite uniquely designed, the Crosstrek manages people, gear and treks off the beaten path with surprising, uneventful ease. Sadly, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) sours up what is otherwise a lovely go-anywhere-do-anything car.
 |
Why not Outback Sport?
The Outback is without a doubt the best known Subaru product, ever. Fuji Heavy Industries can thank, in part, Paul Hogan for that. The Legacy based, sport-utility station wagon was such a huge hit at the end of the '90s that it spawned an Impreza-sourced version: The Outback Sport was born, and it did well.
I ask the above question because the new 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek uses the same ingredient and business plan as did the Sport. It begins by taking an existing 2013 Subaru Impreza 5-door and slapping on some exterior cladding all round, increasing the ride height to 220 mm or 8.7” (same as the Forester, which is better than the Jeep Grand Cherokee) and some unique wheels. That's pretty much it, and I really like it.
Friendly cabin
The final product is rugged and urban-friendly enough for any and all applications. The cabin is untouched from the regular Impreza. This means that the dash's layout is simple and, more importantly, functional. Soft-touch materials are commonplace, as are easy-to-navigate controls.
The seats are fair, lacking some lateral padding on the seatback up front. All measures of interior volume in the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek are aplenty as is the surprisingly capacious trunk for a compact car. Undoubtedly, the most appreciated aspect of the cabin's features is outward visibility. The low shoulder line, relatively narrow “A” pillars, and high hip seating position are all responsible for this.
 |
| Soft-touch materials are commonplace, as are easy-to-navigate controls. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour) |
Boxer-4 4EVER
Any self-respecting Subaru car must be powered by a horizontally opposed cylinder, internal combustion engine. The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek features the latest FB 2.0L 4-cylinder which is good for 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque.
The stated output is not standard-setting, but is plenty for this application. The principal goal of the de-volumized engine is fuel efficiency, which works. Rated at 8.2 city/6.0 highway L/100 km, I managed a reasonable 8.5L after my week-long test.
 |
| The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek features the latest FB 2.0L 4-cylinder which is good for 148 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour) |
CVT woes
These results are due, in good part, to the presence of Subaru's Lineartronic CVT transmission. How do I feel about it? I can put it to you this way: The Subaru Impreza was a finalist on my list of cars to purchase. In the end, the CVT nixed it. Had the Subaru been equipped with a conventional automatic, it would be sitting comfortably in my driveway.
The impression or effect this ‘box has on the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek's drive is that of a worn-out slingshot. Stepping on the gas is met with some delay, followed by a slow swell of push.
The immediate reaction at this point is to release the throttle. As well, when using the wheel-mounted paddles (there are 6 pre-set gears) to manually downshift, the engine's speed does not drop quickly enough and makes the car scuttle forward.
Further woes come from the standard 5-speed manual gearbox which, as tested in a 2012 Impreza, not only increased fuel numbers but lacked bite and throttle response fell off.
Solid car
The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek is surprisingly lithe on its toes for an AWD hatchback. Its chassis is robust beyond question and is unaffected by ruts or sidewalks.
Let me explain: I drove over a tall sidewalk in order to get a few pictures by a wooded area. The amplitude and roughness of the climb would have discouraged me from doing this had I been in a “regular” compact crossover.
The slightly raised suspension poses no issue to the car's handling, much like the Outback. The front McPherson and rear double-wishbone suspension is firm but not punishing, all the while being very capable at filtering and controlling road harshness.
The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek's electric power steering is generally light and provides a fair amount of precision. Assistance and feedback are by no stretch of the imagination sporty, but the overall drive is very reassuring. For those who may have towing needs, the Crosstrek is capable of hauling up to 1,500 lb (680 kg); a rare capability in this segment.
 |
| The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek is surprisingly lithe on its toes for an AWD hatchback. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour) |
Symmetrical AWD for the win
The final words of this review belong to the aspect that has made Subaru a household name, especially in the northern parts of the United States and Canada.
Subaru's and the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek's transparent and highly efficient Symmetrical AWD is without a doubt any driver's biggest ally in wintery months, along with a good set of winter tires. Traction and drivetrain reactions are immediate. To try it is to adopt it.