I originally was going take a bit of a “crass” angle with this Subaru XV Crosstrek write up, positing it as the ultimate vehicle for getting chicks – the marriageable ones, anyway. And, really – here in Southern California – it is. It’s cool to be seen as active, responsible and green, but still a bit “rough” around the edges – all traits that accurately describe the XV Crosstrek.
Key features include an off-road stance, sensible wagon packaging and a massive PZEV badge calling out its eco-friendliness. Take the XV Crosstrek to the Santa Monica sand dunes, bring a dog (“he’s a rescue”), and that Subaru would be so full of yoga pants people would think it’s a Lululemon outlet. But, pursuing that train of thought creeps uncomfortably close to PUA territory, so perhaps it’d be best to just talk about the car itself.
Though the badge is new, the concept isn’t. Those with a bit of Subaru product knowledge will recognize the Crosstrek XV as the current version of the old Outback Sport, which was an Impreza wagon with some plastic body cladding and extra suspension travel. This latest Impreza…Sorry….XV Crosstrek body took awhile to grow on me, but like all Subarus, became more handsome over time.
It’s extra chunky and funky, yet retains that classic Impreza wagon shape, which as a wagon fan, I wholeheartedly approve of. The plastic fender trim exaggerates the already-tall ride height, and when viewed in the metal, the car feels as large as a typical CUV.
Sprayed in hero color Tangerine Orange Pearl, my tester stands out, to say the least, and driving it sort of makes me feel like I’m “peacocking” wherever I go. I sometimes can’t help but feel the only thing not associating me with oversized fuzzy hats is that sensible PZEV badge.
Helping the XV Crosstrek earn that badge is a boxer engine, this one a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder unit. With just 148 horsepower and 145 lb. ft. of torque, it’s not the strongest motor out there, but it gets the job done.
Equipped to my tester is a CVT with a six-step manual mode, which, uh, helps the car go forward. This isn’t a refined power plant by any means. The engine note is harsh and a bit thrashy, and as it’s mated to a single gear, just drones on and on as the revs climb and fall. Power delivery is decent, but nothing to really write home about.
“Decent” also best describes the ride quality – there’s nothing necessarily bad about the way the XV Crosstrek drives, but there’s nothing inspiring about it, either. That said, I’m not a fan of the stock Yokohama Geolander tires. I find they shriek over certain surfaces and have a habit of tram-lining while on the freeway. They – along with the tall suspension – do an admirable job soaking up road imperfections and confidently shrug off things like driveways, potholes and railroad tracks.
Los Angeles beach communities don’t have much in the way of rugged or snowy terrain, but I’d venture a guess that the XV Crosstrek would do all right in those conditions as well.
No matter the model, the interiors of all Impreza variants can’t help but reveal the vehicle’s economy-car roots. Yes, this XV Crosstrek has heated leather front seats and a touch-screen navigation system, but the materials are a way off from Lexus-grade, and that screen is low-res and a bit sluggish to respond. Plastics are good, with good fit and finish, but still lack that premium feel.
What the XV Crosstrek’s cabin is, though, is practical. Like, hugely practical – and that’s where the appeal of this car lies. Up front things are spacious, and as a taller guy, I appreciate that I can drive the thing and feel neither cramped nor claustrophobic.
Driving position is tall (naturally), and there’s a good amount of glass, providing good all-around visibility. After driving a ton of new cars with continent-sized blind spots, it is refreshing to get into a car I can see out of.
This practicality really shines with cargo capacity. I’m not one who to ferry a ton of people around, so I kept the XV Crosstrek’s rear seats down and put its 51.9 cubic feet of cargo space to good use. Thanks to the heavy-duty rubberized cargo mat in the back, I didn’t have to baby the Subaru as I loaded it up with ladders, recyclables, mountain bikes, and other miscellaneous items that would, well, shred that aforementioned Lexus’ interior to pieces.
Fuel economy also impresses. Despite putting a couple hundred new miles on the odometer, the XV Crosstrek’s fuel tank never got below the halfway mark. Not bad at all for what’s being marketed as a CUV.
While I stand by my initial statement that the Subaru XV Crosstrek is the ideal vehicle for impressing marriageable women (or attempting to, at least), it must also be said that the CUV is damn good in its own right. It is one of the few vehicles that can do just about anything well. It’s eye-catching, frugal, practical and can handle whatever you throw at it.
The only thing this Subaru is missing is a turbo – should Subaru decide to make a XT version of this thing, they may very well find themselves with a near-perfect car.
