Overview & Reviews

The Subaru XV Crosstrek might be marketed as crossover, but that usually implies some sort of SUV with carlike attributes. In actuality, the Crosstrek is more like a car with SUV-like attributes. Much like Subaru has done in the past with its Outback model, the smaller XV Crosstrek hatchback features an elevated ride height, a more off-road-ready suspension and rugged looks.

As it's based on the regular Impreza hatchback, the XV comes with a four-cylinder "boxer" engine mated to an available continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). That combo delivers decent acceleration and above-average fuel economy. Add a nicely equipped passenger cabin and ample cargo capacity and you have a go-anywhere vehicle that should appeal to active outdoorsy types who might find Subaru's other offerings too pricey or thirsty.

Current Subaru XV Crosstrek Specs
The Subaru XV Crosstrek is an all-new model for 2013. While Subaru's all-wheel-drive lineup has developed a reputation for being unflappable in the face of some truly nasty driving conditions, this variation of the Impreza takes things to another level in dicey situations both on- and off-road.

The XV Crosstrek is offered in two trim levels, the entry-level Premium and top-of-the-line Limited. The base model comes standard with a number of desirable features including 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rack side rails, heated front seats, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and an iPod interface. The Limited adds automatic climate control, leather upholstery, rearview camera and a premium audio system with an upgraded touchscreen interface. Major options include a sunroof and a touchscreen navigation system.

Under the hood, the Subaru Crosstrek gets a 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that produces 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual and a CVT. All-wheel drive is standard.

The interior is pretty minimalist in terms of design, but the overall quality of the materials is high. Front and rear passengers enjoy a good amount of head- and legroom, and the standard heated seats are a nice touch given Subaru's popularity in cold-weather states. Folding down both sides of the 60/40-split rear seatbacks creates a flat load floor and 51.9 cubic feet of cargo space, a number that's on par with compact hatchbacks rather than small SUVs.

On the road, the Crosstrek's 2.0-liter engine delivers decent acceleration both around town and on the highway. When equipped with the CVT, however, the engine suffers from a noisy, droning tone that gets tiresome, especially when climbing hills. The CVT's true benefit shows up at the gas pump in the form of excellent fuel economy.

Despite the Crosstrek's increased ride height compared to the regular Impreza, handling is still fairly respectable on the pavement. And when the going gets tough, that extra amount of ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive makes it possible to handle light-duty trails without issue. Overall, we like the Subaru XV Crosstrek and think it's a solid pick for someone wanting a hatchback that can serve as a daily driver but also make it easy to access outdoor recreational activities.

User Reviews:

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  My Second Subaru! - 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Tesh Shah - August 10 - 4:06 am

  I drove 2005 Saab 9-2x (Impreza Wagon) for 10 years and 206,000 miles with no or very little issues so I had to get another Subie. 2 months and 4700 miles into it; acceleration is a problem if you are going uphill thats for sure but not otherwise. Yes, it’s bit noisy but not enough to write home about. Throughout the cold Northeast winter; I have been averaging 28 mpg and hoping for a bit more when winter blend gas ends. Comfortable ride and the ability to see everything is a great safety feature. Love the backup Camera feature particularly with parallel parking in the city and avoiding snow banks. Here is to another 200,000 plus miles and 10 years!

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  LOOOOOOOOOOVE this car! - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By shaina0707 - July 24 - 5:55 am

  Ive only had my Crosstrek about 3 weeks now and Ive put about 700 miles on it. I drive a mix of city and highway and have been averaging 28.8-29.1. My mom bought one a month before me and she drives only city in a busy shopping area, so she is not the most fuel-efficient driver (quick starts/stops). I absolutely LOVE this car - it handles so well, feels so secure and solid on the road, very comfortable, has all the conveniences I need (heated seats, rearview camera, HD radio, etc), and on top of that both my mom and I get compliments (esp the wheels) wherever we go! I love driving this car and am excited for the AWD in winter - this drives much better than my RAV4, glad I switched to Sub!

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  Getting worse on gas every tank - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By ski08071 - February 21 - 2:09 am

  I owned an FJ Cruiser and went to the Crosstrek because of its advertised fuel mileage. In the beginning it was getting 28-30 mpg, now it is 2 months old with 3,000 miles and it just barely gets 20 mpg. I should have kept my FJ, it may have only gotten 16 mpg but at least it was built like a tank.

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  Love my new Subaru XV - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By stickybutfun - January 9 - 7:19 pm

  Finally got my Orange Subaru last week. Put 700 miles on it already and loving it. Sometimes I dont know what people want when they say it lacks power. We can only go so fast going from point A to point B. I rather pick a car that gets me 30mpg than go 0-60 in 4 secs. Less MPG= More use of natural resources= bad for environment. Lets hope gas prices doesnt go up to $6 then you will see what Im talking about. For those that want more power get a sports car, not a practical family car. Car rides smooth, handles great and most importantly gets great gas mileage for a crossover. So far, it is a great car with great styling.

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  So Far, A Great Car - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By salacious - October 8 - 7:57 am

  The Crosstrek is no Ferrari, but it IS very quick off the mark (i.e., zero to 30-40mph). That said, it also loses its *rate* of acceleration in the mid-speed range prior to reaching 60-70 mph. If you need to keep up a decent (but not great) rate of acceleration, you will need to push down quite a bit further on the gas pedal. Nonetheless, acceleration is easily adequate to merge into freeway traffic. Ignore the reviewers who say otherwise. For the vast majority of gas-mileage-conscious customers looking for a smallish SUV-style of vehicle with a great AWD system, this car is very hard to beat. If you don’t care about gas mileage or AWD or want a boat-like SUV, look elsewhere.

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  Fun and reliable - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Renee - July 27 - 4:47 pm

  Owned my car 2 years now. Its a fun car to drive, great handling, superior in bad weather and snow! Comfy interior, smooth drive, have not had any problems. Cargo space is great for a compact SUV. Only drawbacks is that the paint seems to scratch and chip easily, a few bad blind spots because of the slope of the car, and the car is a little loud once you get over 80 miles an hour. These are slight things in my opinion, but might annoy others.

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  Better than expected - 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By subiedriver6 - July 7 - 11:16 pm

  I have been sold on Subaru for many years, but this is a change from my usual purchase of a Forester. The engine is just average in regard to performance, but exceptional in gas mileage, averaging 29 in rural back road driving. The seats are very comfortable and the cabin seems much more roomy compared to the Foresters I have had in the past. The doors are large and provide easy in/out access. The exterior styling is aggressive and has received a lot of compliments, while the interior is more just utilitarian and the radio readout is disappointing. Overall, the more I drive it, the better I like it.

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  Bummed about MPG! - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By sraskin - May 5 - 6:46 pm

  I really like most things about the car but I am getting terrible (15-19) mpg after 3,000 miles and I dont understand why! I purchased the car expecting it get pretty good MPG around the city, yet still be a fun weekend car for mountain adventures. It has a solid interior, good handling, relatively high clearance and a rugged look, all of which I like. But for some reason the mpg is totally lacking. I am a mellow driver and I do a mix of city/hwy, so I cant figure out any obvious explanation for the bad mileage.

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  Fun to Drive, but not on long drives - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By bobjeeps - March 10 - 2:32 pm

  Very fun to drive, handles very well around corners, has a very good solid feeling. Easy to get in and out of and to park. Well laid out control panel. Love the looks of the car, I get allot of complements everywhere I go. Im getting about 26,27 mpg mix driving.

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  They should make more cars like this - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By prometheus20 - March 3 - 11:34 am

  Got this car because I wanted a hatchback that can easily handle dirt and wintry roads. Also wanted a car that has good cargo space and is fun to drive. The XV makes great use of its space, especially with the seats folded down. The interior is simple but well constructed. The controls are intuitive. This car is fun to take through corners at a decent speed. Despite the 8.7inches of ground clearance, theres very little body roll. The suspension and traction on rough back roads is great. Acceleration is good from a stand still and adequate in the mid range. Not much torque so I frequently need to downshift for hills. Also, the engine is loud and revs high at highway speed.