Overview & Reviews

The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek is an all-new model.

• Spacious cabin
• Standard all-wheel drive
• Crossover utility in a compact, fuel-efficient package.
• Superior off-road capabilities

• Transmission drones under load
• Sluggish midrange power
• Restrictive infotainment system.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 72.00

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  Great Ride! - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By greendesignguy - June 7 - 12:24 pm

  So, we have owned our Subaru XV Crosstrek Limited (Crystal Black Silica/Ivory Leather, Pop Package #1, Moonroof, and Navigation) for about a month now. This vehicle is very difficult to find, and we would have had ours earlier had we not had to wait for it to arrive at the dealer. It was also actually very difficult to find one to test drive, and we ultimately ended up testing out a demo version. I will start with the items I find to be an issue, and then talk about the stuff I love. First, as most have said, the vehicle lacks a little bit of power from the 40mph-60mph range, which is basically when you get on an interstate or highway. This is somewhat mitigated through use of the paddle shifters (which can actually be quite fun, but I use them sparingly). The acceleration is just fine otherwise. Starts smoothly and quickly from a stop and accelerates quickly and smoothly once you are already up to speed as in passing situations. The second item that is probably only an issue for me so it is really more of an annoyance and probably wont both many others is the way the dashboard cuts back to the passenger. I am fairly tall (6-7") and I fit really well on the driver’s side. Plenty of legroom compared to a lot of vehicles in this range. The problem is that when I am a passenger my right knee does not touch the dash when the seat is all the way back, but the dash swoops back towards the passenger at the center console which jams my left knee into it. It is not a big deal on short trips, but I have a feeling I will be doing all of the driving on the long trips. And again, this will only be an issue if you are my height. I would say anyone over 6-4" to check it out first to see if it bothers you. Those are my only complaints, and quite honestly, they are not all that big of a deal. On to the great stuff. First, the XV Crosstrek has a wonderfully solid ride and handles impeccably. We have owned many other small SUV/CUV vehicles and this one handles like a sports car compared to most of them. I would even go as far to say that it is better than the Acura crossover that we had for about a year. Next, the AWD works like a champ. Traveling for the holidays we were mostly driving through snow and ice, and this thing felt like it was magnetized to the road. On top of that, we were loaded down with two people, a large dog, all of our luggage and Christmas gifts driving in crappy, high wind weather and we still got 30 mpg. When it is just I or my wife driving in normal conditions we average that for both city and highway driving. I have to say this is one of the things that brought me to Subaru in the first place, great gas mileage on an AWD vehicle, and it has more than exceeded my expectations. All of the features of the vehicle are very nice (Moonroof, voice activated Navigation, backup camera etc.) , and I have found the leather interior to feel like it is of very high quality. The other interior finishes are also on par and even the plastics have a soft tactile feel to them. The interior design is simple, which is nice because it does not feel cluttered like a lot of vehicles today. One tech item I wish was part of the vehicle though is a read out of tire pressures. It has a tire pressure monitor/warning system, but nothing that tells you what the pressure currently is. We had this in another vehicle of ours and found it to be a functional and useful tool. On the exterior, I love the rugged yet refined look that the vehicle has from its added height, modified bumpers and especially the rims. Cant say enough how cool the rims are. Finally, a couple of other things to mention I would like to mention. First, the way the engine compartment is setup it will make it very easy to do routine maintenance if that is your thing. I will probably change our own oil and air filter as required. Second, while many dealers are not open to dealing on this vehicle, if you play your cards right, you can still get a deal as some dealers are open to dealing on the price. The biggest suggestion would be to make the dealers compete against one another and dont set foot into the dealership to finalize the deal until you have a price locked from email or phone communication. Doing so allowed us to get our Crosstrek ($28,200 MSRP) for $24,300, which makes for an incredible value on this vehicle. I hope that this review helps anyone that is interested in this vehicle. We really do love this car and could not be happier with it.

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  Best Bang for your Buck! 1st Time Subie Owner - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By hittheroadjack - April 21 - 10:36 am

  I purchased my Crosstrek Limited in June, and I am still trying to find excuses to drive it. I love it! Its just the right size for us. Small and nimble enough to navigate the urban 9-5, but large enough for our weekend adventures. Plenty of room for toddlers giant car seats, and the height is ideal for them to get in and out. I have had several 4 cylinder cars, and I think the Crosstrek has more punch than any of my previous ones. It also rides more smooth and quiet. I live in the middle of the city, so I drive mostly stop and go traffic. I am averaging 25.4 MPG since I bought in June. On a long road trip with heavy crosswinds and a loaded car we avg. 32.7 MPG

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  Always wanted a Subaru and will never get anything else - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By emg2211 - August 9 - 12:14 am

  Love my crosstrek!! First Subaru ever and I should have got one years ago. Had a mazda3 loved it but horrible in the snow (nurses cant call out for snow storms) and horrible MPGs. So after 5 yrs of almost dying every snow storm in MA I made the choice to get my Subaru and I havent looked back. I love it. Its safe, great MPGs, awesome in the snow and enough room for friends and my giant dog. If you are looking for a crossover SUV look into it. I will say downsizing engines took a few wks to get used to, pick up isnt as good but it still gets around great. I have about 6500+miles on it.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By meandrew228 - June 12 - 7:37 am

  this is my third Subaru, I have been driving mostly German cars over the years but my last 3 cars which I usually keep no more than 18 months haveall been subies. love the german cars but quality over the years has gone down hill. not sure what it is but I love the control of the All wheel Drive it just sucks the road. I drove a 2011 outback for a little while with the cvt and was under powered. I choose the 5 speed crosstrek because of the lack of power on the cvt . I think if you stick with the 5 speed it really brings out the true car. it would be even better is there was a turbo version. the build quality is better than the outback probably because its made in japan.

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  My Crosstrek - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By Patrick J. Reilly - May 22 - 7:21 am

  Mostly "5 Star" satisfaction as far as owner of this vehicle. Only complaints have to do with interior comfort, road noise & ride. If you can set these aside everything else is a joy. I have 57,000 thousand miles so far and the car still looks great like the day I bought it. The road noise was somewhat corrected when I put new passenger tires on and got rid of those awful all terrain tires. Ride improved somewhat too. On average I get 26-28 mpg city and 32-34 hwy. Have gotten up to 41 mpg at steady 55 pace!😀 Great car! Unfortunitily sold car 7 months ago for a Lexus RX350 Loved the Car though! Needed more room

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  Zippy - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By saintcase - November 23 - 6:20 am

  I am really enjoying my new Crosstrek Subaru. Never had one before, and hopefully wont be the last. Really liked working with Steve Lewis Subaru, and they gave us a better deal than the other ones in the area. Would definetly recommend this new vehicle and Steve Lewis Subaru.

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  Love the ride. - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By willie01 - July 17 - 10:58 am

  There are lot of things to like about the car, but he most impressive is the the way it drives. I have always heard about how fun they are to drive but never given it much thought. This car handles great, off road capabilities are on par with the 4 wheel drive toyotas I own or better. Thight well built car with quality through out. Getting 27.8 combined mpgs so far with 564 miles on the car. Like the vesitality and quirkey nature of this car. I do a lot of soft sand and beach driving here in Fl. and it hasnt let me down. If your looking for a car out of the mainstream with a lot of features that make it a fun go anywhere car,I think you would like it.

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  Great Car if you can find one! - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By dashriprocket - June 14 - 4:13 am

  Bought this car over a week ago. Three months of constant research after selling my Honda Element which I loved. I was looking for something sold, unique looks, reliability, comfort and just a plain kick but car. My Subaru XV Crosstrek limited in blue with beige interior...not a pocket rocket, but I genuinely love this car. Extremely practical, unique, good looks, great gas mileage, great performance!

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  works great - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By l c - August 1 - 1:37 pm

  good small car with super price

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  Better than Impreza - 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
  By fracker - May 22 - 8:29 pm

  Traded a 2012 Impreza for a Crosstrek. Impreza was WAY too low for backroads in the mountains I live in. The Crosstrek will tow 1500lbs & has nice ground clearance & much better suspension for nasty forest dirt roads.I drove it on forest roads Id never take the Impreza on & it did great. I can tow a motorcycle over rocks with this thing. Handles great,more truck-like. The heated seats are height adjustable which allows me to sit lower & not have the Imprezas mirror block vision on right curves(was dangerous on the Impreza). This auto transmission doesnt have near the "holdback" going down hills the Imprezas had(I had to gas that the Impreza going down hills--hated it).