Consumer Reports New Cars – November 2019

SUBCOMPACT SUV

Subaru

Crosstrek

! 0

On the Road SUVs under $40,000

22 NEW CARS CR.ORG/CARS

THE SECOND-GENERATION

Crosstrek is our top-rated

subcompact SUV. Based on the

Impreza, the Crosstrek has

a taller ride height, and it’s

designed to handle both

weekday commutes and

weekend adventures.

The subcompact SUV gets a

2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine

and continuously variable

transmission (CVT). Overall,

the powertrain provides

just enough juice for most

situations, but it can feel

strained when pushed. On

the bright side, its 29 mpg

overall is commendable for

the segment. A plug-in hybrid

version is also available.

This SUV’s suspension

shrugs off bumps and ruts,

and delivers a controlled ride.

Its handling is responsive,

its steering is reasonably

hefty, and its body lean is

nicely contained. However,

the Crosstrek isn’t as lively to

drive as the rival Mazda CX-3.

Bonus: When the ground

turns muddy, rough, or

snowy, the Crosstrek has

elevated ground clearance

and standard all-wheel drive

that help it get through.

There’s ample room inside

the Crosstrek, but the front

seats lack lumbar adjustment

and could use more support

for long drives. The rear seat

is roomy for the class, but

rear passengers don’t get

air vents. There’s a handy

amount of cargo room back

there, too.

Interior quality is average,

but the Crosstrek’s controls

are refreshingly simple to use

and its gauges are clear. It’s

easy to navigate the touch-

screen infotainment system,

which gets both Android Auto

and Apple CarPlay. Heated

front seats are standard on

the Premium trim.

All trims except the

base 2.0i with manual

transmission can be equipped

with the EyeSight safety

system, which includes

automatic emergency braking

(AEB) and forward collision

warning (FCW). Blind spot

warning (BSW) is a separate

option that’s standard on

hybrids but not available on

the base trim at all.

BEST VERSION TO GET

We think the

2.0i Premium is

the right choice

for most buyers,

and recommend

opting for EyeSight

and BSW. For

automatic climate

control, shoppers

have to upgrade

to the Limited.

A plug-in hybrid

model promises

17 miles of all-

electric driving.

VITAL STATS

OVERALL

SCORE

ROAD-TEST

SCORE

Price as tested

$25,905

Trim line 2.0i

Premium

Drivetrain

152-hp, 2.0-liter

4-cyl. engine; CVT;

AWD

Overall fuel

economy 29 mpg

Reasons to Buy

Rides comfortably

Gets good fuel

economy for its

class

Has easy-to-use

controls

Reasons to Skip

Lackluster

acceleration

Engine feels (and

sounds) strained

when pushed

Front seats aren’t

supportive enough

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