On the Belgian market, Subaru sales slid in recent years. The brand was pretty successfull and famous about twenty years ago, winning numerous world championship rallies with fantastic, powerfull Imprezas. However, these days the brand is not under the limelight any more… Its entry-level model, the XV SUV has just been replaced by the Crosstrek. We have just driven it in various road conditions and we quite like it. (Text : Dimitri Urbain)
Subaru is a niche manufacturer, aimed at knowledgeable amateurs who are convinced the brand is technically better than its competitors. Obviously, no ones buys a Subaru for its design ! What sells them is their reliability, their top-level roadholding in all circumstances or… the simple fact that it’s not the same car as your neighbour! The brand’s most important markets are the United States, Canada and, of course, Japan. Recently, Belgian registrations have been dwindling for several reasons. The new Crosstrek is a petrol-hybrid vehicle which is aimed more at private customers than as a company car, for tax reasons. Unfortunately, the brand’s only electric model, the Solterra, fails to convince buyers… No less than eight new electrified models are due between now and 2028, they should enable the brand to eventually make it on fleet lists.
Crosstrek: a modern, well-equipped and efficient SUV
The XV SUV was introduced back in 2017 and was based on the Impreza. For many years, it’s been Subaru’s best-selling model in Europe but it is now being replaced… by the new Crosstrek. Being 4,495 mm long, it is 10 mm longer than its predecessor. Its width (1800 mm) is identical, while the newcomer is 5 mm taller (1600 mm) and has a longer wheelbase (2670 mm) as well. Its standard 220 mm ground clearance allows it to easily gets out of tricky situations. Design is evolutionary rather than completely new : headlights lamps, radiator grille, have changer, its curved profile along with 17 » and 18 » wheels give it more road presence. Subaru always do things its own way. This time, it designed a car with greater attention to the human body: the seats reduce head movements while better soundproofing reduces fatigue, back and neck pains on long journeys. Inside, there’s more shoulder and leg space, even in the rear. To highlight the changes, Subaru had brought together both an XV and a Crosstrek… We must admit it’s not very often that a car manufacturer allows journalists to make such a comparison.
Interior materials are pretty solid, fit and finish are top grade even though the style is rather mainstream and not avant-garde in the least… However, that’s not what buyers want, quite the contrary! They won’t be disappointed. An 11.6″ touchscreen is located high up in the center console and is complemented by a raft of good old switches, some of them located on the steering wheel. Ergonomics have been carefully thought out. Satnav was improved and uses ‘what3words’, allowing it to work off-road without any street details. Wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play are standard kit. Personal data such as nav details are now protected by a PIN code and the car even warns its owner in case of theft. The seats and steering wheel are heated, USB A and C sockets are located up front and in the rear as well. The modular boot can swallow up to 1,314 liters. The doors have 3 positions : they can be opened in any situation. Subaru is obsessive about details that can make life easier or improve comfort like a third windscreen washer jet, more space between the door handles and the bodywork… the list goes on and on, and when you discover them you wonder why other manufacturers haven’t thought of them before! Subaru is like no other car maker and we love that… iIt must be the only car maker that makes do without dealerships that are more like a luna-park or as big as a cathedral. At any Subaru dealership, the boss gets dirty in the workshop and just washes his hands before turning himself into a salesman.
e-Boxer: a hybrid engine, the Subaru way
This powertrain was developed in-house and combines a 2-litre petrol boxer engine with an electric motor. This one is fitted in the CVT gearbox and drives all four wheels via symmetrical all-wheel drive. The boxer engine produces 136 bhp or 100 kW at 5,600 RPM and 182 Nm torque at 4,000 RPM. It is fitted in a lower position to get the vehicle’s gravity centre down : that’s good for handling and stability. Subaru doesn’t play around with safety… In the event of a head-on collision the engine is engineered to get under the car, making it less risky for passengers. Admittedly, its fuel consumption is higher than that of an in-line engine but the brand is putting forward safety arguments to make up for it and Subaru claims fuel savings of up to 10% thanks to the hybrid system… we’ll check that during a later test drive. Electric range is obviously tiny but it’s power, torque, acceleration and pulling power that benefit most. The synchronous motor delivers 12.3 kW and 66 Nm. There’s a 118 V 4,8 Ah Li-Ion battery. Subaru claims 0 to 60 MPH in 10.8 seconds and a 123 MPH top speed. Fuel consumption varies between 33 and 42 MPG while CO2 emissions range from 152 to 194 gr.
Enhanced active safety
All Subarus now equipped get Eyesight standard equipment: a dual-camera system is affixed to the top of the windscreen. It works jointly with various driver aids : lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and emergency braking, now monitotring 14 functions. Lane Keeping Assist now works even without whitelines. According to Subaru, cameras are more precise than lasers or radars because they are better at judging contrasts, for example. Using these cameras is also a way of avoiding damage to devices located in the bumpers while ensuring driving aids continue to work properly even in snowstorms. Crossstrek is fitted with no less than nine airbags, to further protect its occupants. Subaru’s ultimate aim is to ensure no one is killed in an accident involving one of its cars… the brand’s engineers are working hard to achieve this goal as soon as possible.
Behind the wheel
Subaru claims a 10% increase in stiffness. The difference with the previous generation can be felt both behind the wheel and as a passenger. The Crosstrek feels better planted and more confident on the road, requiring fewer adjustments on the driver’s part. The driving aids were effective but not too intrusive. Off-road, X Mode now works in both forward and reverse. The seats are comfortable and provide good body hugging. They prevent most head movements, making off-road use even more pleasant and efficient. Our first off-road test took place on a wet track… the Crosstrek was safe, and if the driver goes crazy, the electronic aids come into play effectively to prevent things from getting out of control! Torque is permanently distributed at 4 wheels ensuring imperious roadholding whatever the weather. Afterwards, we even tackled an off-road course. Here as well, the new one handles it with ease: whether it’s going down or up slopes or driving along with its body inclined at a very steep angle, the Crosstrek proves reassuring and comfortable, whatever you throw at it. X Mode controls the engine, transmission, 4WD system and brakes to provide optimum traction all the time, even when reversing. Hill control ensures the car moves at constant speed, even without accelerating when X Mode is active. All you have to do is concentrate on steering, the brakes are being monitored to make sure they are as efficient as possible.
Even though the tyres weren’t the most suitable for forest tracks with 4 people on board, comfort was pretty good, as was space in the rear seats and getting in and out of the car was very easy, even in the back. Finally, we drove it on road and that part included a cobbled section worthy of the Paris-Roubaix cycling race. The Crosstrek performed brilliantly there too, being both comfortable and safe at the same time. We really felt it suited to the very poor Belgian road network. Three versions will be available in Belgium: Comfort, priced from €35,245; Luxury from €37,245 and Premium from €39,245. The only extra available is metallic paint, at €750. What’s more, all Subarus will soon come with a full 8-year warranty. Just the thing to give you complete peace of mind ! In this day and age, that’s surely reassuring.
