2013 SUBARU XV CrossTrek

Three years in a CrossTrek

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4 Safety Rating: 3 Technology Rating: 5 Value Rating: 3

I leased mine in winter of 2013 and recently turned it in rather than buying it. The CrossTrek is an OK car with good attributes and flaws. On snow it is ok, but not great. With the OEM tires, it was terrible here in northern Michigan. I added a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks which significantly improved traction. But the car is lightweight with makes it prone to sliding around even with awd and winter tires. I did appreciate the car's interior. The firm seats are great and help up over three years and 34,000 miles. There is a surprising amount of room in the passenger compartment, but not too much in the back with the rear seat up. The engine was always very loud on acceleration and got very noisy after about 30k miles - sounded like ball bearings in a coffee can. This is one issue. Subaru needs to put a far more powerful engine in this car. The little 2.0liter, 150HP engine is way under-powered for this car. Mechanically, only a few minor problems the dealer took care of. Big issue was concerns over safety. I nailed a 150 pound deer head-on at 45 miles per hour and the damage to the car was immense ($13,500 bill). The entire front end of the car (bumper, fenders, hood, roof, windshield, lights, numerous engine components due to the battery rupturing) needed to be replaced. It folded up like tinfoil. After that I never felt safe in the car. The sloping front end of the car threw the deer into the windshield in on the front of the roof denting it. Regardless of how many airbags it has one cannot beat the laws of physics. I dreaded the possibility of hitting a truck or large car. That's why it gone. Would not buy another one. If you want a Subaru, go with the bigger ones.

Great little car

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 4 Value Rating: 5

In/out easy hip height seats

works great

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 4 Value Rating: 5

good small car with super price

I thought they were supposed to be dependable

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 2 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 4 Safety Rating: 4 Technology Rating: 3 Value Rating: 3

I bought this Subaru brand new. I liked it at first but found out quickly that it uses A LOT of oil! I was told it's because of the light oil it uses. I put oil in this car more than any other car I've ever owned!! I travel 80 miles to and from work 5 times a week. I took EXTREMELY good care of this car. Faithfully having the oil and filters changed at the dealership as per their suggestions. Having the tires changed or rotated/balanced at their suggestion as well as brakes checked frequently and replaced. Always took to a Subaru dealer and trusted them totally. Now, at 70, 000 miles, I was hearing noises in the front end when I made a turn. I bring it to the Subaru dealer only to find out the front axles are worn to the point they need to be replaced!! What?? This is unheard of in a 2013 car! I plan on taking this 1000.00 dollar fix to the Subaru corporate HQ!! Never buy this car.

Frustrated

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 1 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 1 Safety Rating: 1 Technology Rating: Value Rating: 3

I have 70,000 on my 2013 cross trek, I have had both front axels replaced due to both failing, I've never gone off road or done anything but normal everyday driving. It took arguing and having to call Suburu directly but they did cover the cost of both. Now my car will not go out of park, apparently another malfunction this car is known for, being repaired tomorrow. I've driven a lot of cars over the years and this is by far the worse car I've ever had, I don't trust it. Shame on Suburu.

disappointed.

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 2 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 1 Safety Rating: 4 Technology Rating: 3 Value Rating: 1

We bought new 2013 Crosstrek knowing its limitations. We have 40,000 miles on the odometer and took it to the dealership to diagnose a noise in the front end. The Dealership diagnosed a broken front strut and a $700 repair. I've never heard of a car breaking a strut at 40k that wasn't wrecked or abused. We've gone from loving it to WTF? and hating it.

Nice ride at expense of tire wear and Oil use

Performance: 0 Comfort: 0 Fuel Economy: 0 Fun To Drive: 0 Interior Design: 0 Exterior Design: 0 Build Quality: 0 Reliability: 0 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 2 Safety Rating: 1 Technology Rating: 3 Value Rating: 2

I updated this review because I've learned more about the Crosstrek that applied to me since I traded it in. (I feel sorry for the ones who bought it after me) My update will appear at the end of my original review which is here: I like the feel of driving this. Good points is the MPG (unless the wind blows against you then it drops by 10 MPG--that is not a joke! ANYTHING but during downhill and you lose the great mileage) I have a cage in back for little dogs--and I like the way that works. The storage is wonderful. easy to see out windows and easy to drive in traffic. Down side. Cloth seats stain when you sneeze! Horrible how bad the seats look in just a few years. I wish I had gotten leather. Very noisy on the road--good thing noise doesn't bother me too much but it drives others crazy. The worst thing about the vehicle is the tire wear. The vehicle is not worth it because it eats tires like crazy and the dealers and Customer Service for Subaru both handle this fact as if it is your fault. This is what dealers in Arizona, California, Utah, Montana, and Alaska have actually said to me: a) its your driving b) its out of alignment (fixed THREE times but never corrected tire wear) c) its because you carry an ice chest and food in the back when you travel d) its the 300 lb motorcycle trailer you pull e) its all the potholes you hit f) it must be heavy passengers that you carry in back g) its your toy Pomeranians that you carry in a cage in back h) its the tires you buy It's not any of those things. At 70,000 miles, I was on my 5th set of tires! The first set went out at 19,000! What is up with that? The last set of tires I bought were rated hard tires (602) with a 60,000-mile warranty and after only 25,000 miles Subaru in Fairbanks refused to rotate the tires because they say I need new ones, AGAIN! It was Anchorage Subaru who told me if I bought the hard tires and they wore out that fast, that the tire company would honor the warranty. I figured it was a good solution to badly wearing tires--problem was, when the tire company saw the tires, they blamed the Crosstrek and refused to honor the warranty. Incredible. I own a 2013 CrossTrek. Something is very wrong with the tire wear. Soft tires get 15,000 and hard rubber gets 25,000--that is not right. Buyers beware. (You will find more reviews like this about the tires on the Internet). There is either something wrong with the Subaru I bought or with he crosstalk in general. My second major complaint is the customer care department. The problem showed up at 19,000 when I almost killed myself on bald tires. That is when the excuses began. Even though I had a 60,000 mile or 3-year warranty, they strung me along until the warranty ran out--paid for one alignment and then kept telling "this time it will be different" . Once the warranty was out, I was out of luck even though there was something definitely wrong with the vehicle and I began the process at 19,000 miles. The only thing Subaru did for me besides string me along until he warranty ran out was align my vehicle, buy one set of tires and assure me they wanted to take care of the problem--which never happened . Hollow words, really. I will never buy another Subaru. Not because of the tire wear and something being wrong with my vehicle, things go wrong! I own a business and nothing is ever 100%. so I cut slack for businesses. The trouble is the warranty was not honored--not the one that came with the original purchase or their extended warranty. I expected better from Subaru because they have been good in the past-but this was ridiculous--to blame me (who has driven for 40 years) and make sure that they did not correct the problem and let both my warranties run out. I wasted a lot of time and money on this problem--and as far as I'm concerned, Subaru owes me the money back from my extended warranty because they did not honor it. I have kept all my records and pictures and even a few tires--if someone does a class action, I'm in. UPDATE 9.21.16 There is a class action--but not on the tire ware--on oil!!!! And that was one of the problems I had. the car went through LOT of oil. I kept running out and I mentioned it several times. Once It was only 500 miles after an oil change. I called the dealer who changed my oil and they said they probably forgot one quart! I was so far away that I didn't bother to take it back to them (they are in Ogden and I was in Arizona. The oil light came on a lot and I asked several Subaru dealers what was going on and they claimed there was nothing going on--acted as if I didn't understand cars. Now there is a class action suit about the oil--I probably put in an extra 5 quarts when I owned the vehicle so it isn't worth my time trying to find receipts to join the suit but I can take the time to warn others about the way Subaru strung me along on TWO issues and their warrenty was worthless! I relaly bleive they shoudl refund me my money paid

I want to love this car!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 4

I have do love everything about this car, except it burns oil SO badly! After almost 40k miles, Subaru is FINALLY replacing the short block, but I'm told this will only change my oil consumption from 1qt. every ~1800 miles to 1qt. every ~3500-4000 miles. :/ The main culprit is the 0-20W synthetic oil, which is WAY too thin to go 7500 miles without an oil change and I plan on switching to a higher weight oil after the warranty is up, even if it means less MPGs. Otherwise, everything else about this car is AWESOME!! Subaru may have lost a Subaru for life customer though. :(

Absolutely Scary On Ice

Performance: 3 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 2 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 2 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 3

We bought this car based on its value and all we had heard about how great subaru cars are on snow and ice. Unfortunately, the Crosstrek disappoints. We recently made a trip in ny we encountered snowy roads and icy spots. This car fishtails every time you hit an icy spot to the point where you believe you will spin out and constantly makes you feel out of control. It has a floaty feeling like the car is unstable. It is unsafe to have to be doing 40 on thruway a with blinkers on when you are being passed by Camrys and all other SUVs which appear to be in perfect control. This car is just scary to drive on snowy roads! I don't know if it is the cvt or the tires. In any event we will trade

Updated Review

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: Technology Rating: Value Rating:

20 months in (review Feb 2013) I'm loving my XV. The jittery steering calmed down after 1-2 months. Handles great in rain downpours. Driving onto beaches to launch kayaks has been easy when other cars spin wheels. Had enough power at altitude (8,000 Ft.) Front seats very comfortable. Mileage still not as advertised. 26+ MPG on 89 Octane. Minus' are still that power locking automatically actives alarm and paint/clearcoat scratches much too easily. and rear seats need to be more comfortable. Update June 2016 Still happy with & enjoying my XV. I do suspect it is using too much oil. I'm hearing this is an issue Subaru doesn't have an easy fix for. Dealer gave me a free oil change so they could check it after 1500 miles. They said - no problem. About the time my next oil change was due, the oil light came on. Car was down over a quart. More oil consumption than I see in my other vehicles.

19 months in and so in love

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I reviewed my car at 3 months, and at 19 months and 20,000 miles later, I can confidently say that this is the best car I've ever owned (I was loyal to Toyota in the past). I've seen lots of complaints on gas mileage and I just don't understand - I drive quite a bit of city and then some highway to work and I average 27.5 in winter and 29.5 in summer. My mom drives all short city trips and is closer to 25.5 (EPA estimate is 23 city, so that makes perfect sense). I've been out in several Cleveland snowstorms and the handling was so amazing and I felt so safe. My husband loves it so much that in bad weather he will not take out his 4WD Trailblazer but instead uses my car. I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!

Don't bother buying

Performance: 2 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 1 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 1

Car consumes way to much oil for a brand new car. Never thought I would spend so much on just oil. Spend more time getting oil for the car then I do getting gas. My oil light came on right after I purchased the vehicle and had the dealer see what was wrong they said it was just low. After topping it off I began my trip home and on an empty road the oil light came on had to drive it several hundred me to get oil. Took it in to a dealer and say the car normally burns 1 quart every 1200 miles. You do an oil change every 7000 miles that's 5-6 quarts of oil at 10 bucks a quart. Never had any problems. So with other vehicles first and last subaru I personally buy. Also the car over revs.

Crosstrek Problems

Performance: 2 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 2 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 2

I have a 2013 Crosstrek with 35,000mi purchased in 2012. It eats a qt of oil aprx every 12-1500 mi. The manual says this is normal for a boxer engine. I've had many boxer engines & NONE of the others ate oil. It also eats the right rear tire. You have to buy AWD tires in groups of 4, so this is expensive. I sorta like the car & love the look, but my old vw bug had more pep. Both have manual trans. Seriously considering trading it in.

Lack of power/ CVT, delayed acceleration

Performance: 1 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 1 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 5

If possible they need to add more power, and subaru need to fix CVT delayed acceleration I guess engine has to be 2.5L or 3.0L or more.. And last thing is the noise!!!!! Its annoying. Everthing else on the car is good..

Not For Big People

Performance: 4 Comfort: 2 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 2 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 1 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: 4 Technology Rating: Value Rating: 3

I bought my Subaru XV Crosstrek in August of 2013. It was peppy and fun to drive. They are nice looking cars and have a nice feel for the road. Compared with other cars I test drove, the Crosstrek had less modern, and not thought out dashboard. For example: The main gauges are red, which is great at night, but there are two glaring blue panels in the dash too that compete. There aren't as many gauges as other cars too, mostly warning lights. The dash bezels also squeaked on bumps. I'm a 5' 10" man. I had the seat all the way back. Three months with the car I started have back issues from the seats that grew worse. By this spring it was difficult for me to drive for any length of time. 5/1/16- I sold the Crosstrek soon after I wrote the initial review. The Subaru seats did create a problem with my back. BTW- I never had any back issues until I bought the SV Crosstrek. It took a zillion visits to the chiropractor and about a year driving another vehicle before my back felt better. I never asked the doctor, but I think it might have been my hips that had the real trouble with the Crosstrek seats. I know many people who drive this car with no problems, but I also know some others who had a similar experience to me. If you are having an issue, get rid of the car! The first clue is you will find yourself stuffing pillows in the lumbar area of the seat. I took a big financial hit, but decided my back or hip problems were definitely from the Crosstrek. AND THEY WERE! I sold the car after 8 months and 15,000 miles and have not regretted it.

Fun to Drive, but not on long drives

Performance: 4 Comfort: 2 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 2 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

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. I'm getting about 26,27 mpg mix driving.

Best Bang for your Buck! 1st Time Subie Owner

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5 Safety Rating: Technology Rating: Value Rating:

I purchased my Crosstrek Limited in 2013, and I am still trying to find excuses to drive it. I love it! It's 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.

UPDATE: After 3 yrs I'm still very happy with this car. I have always felt safe and secure with the Crosstrek's handling on snow and ice. Complaints about the paint are legit. All my door handles have slight stratches, but they are not that noticeable. Had problems with a check engine light due to gas cap. Problem went away when I stopped purchasing 87 octane gas and moved up to 89. Toddler car seats fit well, reverse facing infant car seats will only fit in the middle (which is safer anyway). Other than those minor problems, I am still in love with this car. What I love most is it's versatility. Whether you are dropping kids off for school or hauling rocks the Crosstrek can do it all. Purchased roof rack rails and cargo carrier for long trips & that worked very well. Next week I'm installing a hitch for our bike rack! I'm very pleased!

Always wanted a Subaru and will never get anything else

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

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 can't 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 haven't looked back. I love it. It's 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 isn't as good but it still gets around great. I have about 6500+miles on it.

Great Value & Fun To Drive

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

The 5 speed Crosstrek rides smooth and handles well on rough roads. It's easy to maneuver, easy to park, has a very tight turning radius and zips around town handily. On the highway it feels solid and holds its own at high speeds. AWD is amazing in snow. Stated gas mileage is accurate, but I can do better: 26-30 in mixed, 32-34 hwy. Interior is comfortable but spartan.You have the basic features you need and they're all standard. Acceleration is surprisingly quick especially if you wind out the gears. Hills need a downshift. Gas pedal is more responsive than the rubbery CVT pedal. It's not as solid and spacious as our 2014 Forester but gets way better gas mileage. Wheels get attention!

I guess it hit or miss with these cars!

Performance: 2 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 2 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 4

I bought my Crosstrek in August and since than have never been able to achieve anything near the EPA fuel mileage of 25 city/33 highway. Best ever was 30 highway and 22 city and its been slowly dropping since new. I now have 3800 miles on it and the last highway trip 100% highway other than 4 on/off ramps. cruise set on 63 the whole time was 26mpg. I struggle now to get 18mpg around town. I even removed the spare tire and jack and rear cargo and floor mats to reduce weight. The dealer says there is nothing wrong with it and is probably my driving. Really than why did every other car that I've owned get better then advertised MPGs? A total of 12 cars total beaters to brand new.

Excellent Performer in Colorado Mountain Snow

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Bought my Limited 8 months ago. Already 21K on Colorado highways, mountain roads & Denver city streets. Commute from my cabin near Bailey in mountains an hour to downtown Denver. That drive is on Highway 285 up & down from 5,280 to 11,000 ft. Lots of passing. Then on 2 lane county asphalt road for 3 miles from highway. Then county maintained gravel road to my cabin. Have also made many drives on I-70 to for summer hiking & winter skiing areas. Traded a Jeep Commander V-8. Big change. Yes, a 4 cylinder CVT takes some finesse but accelerates and passes just fine. I drive it hard & minimum MPG is 27. Get 31 on easier mountain highway trips. AWD performs well. Very satisfied.

winter heat

Performance: 4 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

for the most part I was happy with the XV till winter came. it dives fine but there is very low heat out put at the floor. it feels like the AC is on. the dealer pulled it in a heated shop to check it. ? and did not drive it out the back roads like i do to and from work. The heater stays set on high and i never get warm. they said it was working fine. My old VW Bugs had way better heat.

Great Car for the Money

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

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.

Safest Car On the Road

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

A few nights ago I hit a deer with my 2013 Subaru Crosstrek, unfortunately she might be totaled. The most amazing thing about this car? How safe it is! I hit the deer going about 55 mph, both the steering wheel airbag and, to my surprise because I did not know it existed, an airbag at knee - calf level. Upon hitting the deer the car felt solid, and in the drivers seat I felt completely secure, I was not going anywhere. My Subaru provided me with the ultimate protection from the accident and I will forever rant about how safe and amazing this car is. I am 17 years old and this was my first car, and I recommend this car for worried parents who want the safest car on the road.

Love is what subaru is about is right!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Never had a Subaru before. Son & daughter in law have had a few. Live in Michigan where winter is rough. Son convinced me to lease new Crosstrek. I love it!!! I get super great gas mileage. In fact one time I went 20 days between fill ups. I usually get anywhere from 25-29 miles per gallon, in the city. I don't drive freeway often. I can't wait to see how it handles in the winter. When lease is up I am considering going to an Outback or Forrester. Son drives Forrester, says ride isn't as smooth as CrossTrek. Outlback is. So may be that one. I have no complaints what so ever. I love love my CrossTrek.

After 9 months review

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

Nice Little SUV. Cool looking! Sufficiant power, but not a sports car. Steady pedal application versus jamming it down, eliminates most of the comments about droning or response. Very comfortable front seats, Great road hugging performance! Rides rougher than expected. It's small so with two adults and a toddler on a road trip it's really packed to the max. Like Edmunds review said, does not get advertised mileage. Expect 25.5- 26 MPG average Using 89 octane brings it up to 27- 28 Bad - can't power or remote entry lock without arming alarm. If you use a sub key/non remote entry key, alarm wakes neighbors at 5 AM. Manual locking not available on rear hatch!!! No air vents for rear passengers

I loved my Crosstrek, but it needs more power

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 4 Value Rating:

I work in DC, but we own a cabin in Lexington, VA and live in Northern VA. It handles gravel roads as well as the interstate and can easily surpass the EPA ratings if you drive like a sensible adult. If you are disappointed with your MPG try comparing your odometer with mile markers or GPS. Mine read almost 2% slow, which means we are actually getting over .6 MPG better than the car calculates. The car would say you had driven 100 miles when you had actually gone 101.9 Our 2005 Forester 2.5X was off in the other direction by over 4% which is why I checked the Crosstrek. If you are behind one that is going a little slow, that is probably why. They don't realize 70 on the speedo means they are only going 67. The ground clearance is perfect, our 80+ pound lab mix can get in and out of it without the struggle he has with our Jeeps and it has not bottomed out on several rutted, gravel roads. It burned a little oil. If we went more than 5,500 miles between changes the low oil light would come on. We were going to have the dealer look into that, but it was hit at 19K miles and replaced with a 2015 Forester XT Limited with EyeSight. A drop of less than 3 MPG (26.9 average after 8k miles) and premium fuel for 100 more HP and much more room is a decent trade-off. Also check visibility before buying. The high belt line and low roof make rear visibility poor for shorter drivers.

Love my subaru

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I bought my Crosstrek in January, 2013. Thus far, I have 16,000 miles of mostly highway driving (probably a 75/25 split) and am averaging 32-33 MPG with the automatic transmission. Though it doesn't have exceptional power or acceleration. what do you expect from a 4 cylinder motor? While the synthetic oil is certainly more expensive, you don't need to change oil except every 7,500 miles (some say 10,000 miles). This makes it roughly comparable to annual oil costs with regular oil. I have gone many places that a regular 2 WD sedan would never have taken me.

I would buy this car all over again!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 4

This is my 2nd Subaru - my first was a 2006 Outback 2.5i Limited. I was sad to trade it in but I am so SO thrilled about this Crosstrek. First of all, the appearance is sweet - I have gotten so many compliments on how sharp-looking the car is (which is what I thought, too!) The interior is also really nice and very comfortable, with all of the creature comforts I wanted in a vehicle (heated front seats, tinted windows, iPod hookups, etc.) I bought the car in a 5-speed manual and I have had nothing negative to say about the pickup and the power for this size vehicle. The gas mileage is as advertised, which I imagine has to do with the manual transmission. I will continue to buy Subaru.

Best Car I Have Ever Owned

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I never understood the Subaru "love" that people talk about until I got my Crosstrek! I bought this vehicle in late October of 2012 and have been happy ever since. Always get comments about my wheels. MPG runs 28 (city) to 33 (hwy). The heated seats are excellent; the a/c freezes me out; the speakers are upgraded ones and are perfect. If there is a complaint it is a little sluggish when a/c is on and I need to get moving quickly. When you are backing up - you need to leave your foot on the brake until you feel the car engage into drive or it will drift a little backwards. Other than that - wonderful vehicle and would recommend to anyone and everyone!

Disappointing

Performance: 2 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 1 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 1

First time Subaru owner, 2013 Crosstrek purchased Feb 2013. Less than 5000 mi, 5 dashboard warning lights started flashing, transmission won't shift. Had it towed to dealer. Not offered loan vehicle, so need to rent car at my own expense until repairs are made. I expected better of a vehicle costing nearly $25K. Also, very poor mileage, my best highway mileage is 26 mpg, best all-around mileage is 22 mpg. Definitely does not live up to advertising. I will not buy another Subaru.

So far So Good

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Nice little vehicle so far. Decided to downsize for better gas mileage but only getting a combined 25 so far. That is with about 50/50 driving with lots of traffic thrown in and tons of hills. Hope it gets a little better as the engine breaks in. I have seen allot about it being under powered but really haven't noticed it yet and I am coming from a V6 little truck and a Civic Si. No its not fast but plenty of power to get you where you are going.

Getting worse on gas every tank

Performance: 4 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 3

I owned an FJ Cruiser and went to the Crosstrek because of it's 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.

My wish list for the Crosstrek

Performance: 3 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 2 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 3

Bought Crosstrek Feb2013 --wish I had waited for the 2014 Forrester. While an initial test drive MIGHT convince you to buy the Crosstrek -- you get bored and frustrated will quickly as you drive around your neighborhood. While you might enjoy the 8.7" ground clearance-try wearing a baseball cap and putting the visor down. If the seat is forward or up, it can't be done. Same goes for tall people. Taking the head rest off the passenger side - even with an open moonroof, can't be done. They need to add 3" to height - which might also help with cooling the car: the angle of the windshield causes higher heat from sun buildup-making AC less efficient.

Great little car

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I have had mine for 6 months now having bought it in the midst of an upper Michigan blizzard. This is a really decent suv. Nice looking exterior. The lifted suspension and larger tires make a difference over the typical Impreza. Very good in snow, deep or packed. The interior is somewhat plain, but to be expected at this price point. Great solid seats with plenty of room for my 6'2" frame even in the backseat. Common sense controls work well. Limited cargo with the back seat up but a roof rack helps. Others complain about the power. This car is not slow. Its not a race car, but quick enough for traffic. Gas mileage has been great. I am averaging 27 city/highway and 37 highway which is great.

wind noise

Performance: 3 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 2 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 3

Do not buy this vehicle if you plan to drive on highways at 75 mph or above. At that speed with a headwind or crosswind you will get a horrendous noise that seems to be coming from the headliner. Listening to this for several hours on the highway will require you to reassess the wisdom of driving a Crosstrek on a road trip. The dealer can't duplicate it because the speed limit in the vicinity is 65 mph and the noise is at 75 or above. Thanks a lot Subaru! Nothing but Subarus since 1982 but that is going to change.

Disappointed with CrossTrek

Performance: 4 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 4

I have owned Subaru's since the early 1980's. My basis for choosing a 2013 CrossTrek was its size, my previous history, and the better gas mileage. Initially I was very pleased after coming from a 2005 Legacy. However, at 7500 miles I noticed that I was 1.5 quarts low on oil. I was told that this is normal and I would have to "top off" the oil between changes. I also have been quoted $75.00 for 7,500 mile oil changes from 2 different dealers. I am very disappointed with Subaru. I will not change my oil through the dealer, and I would not recommend this model due to what may be excessive service costs.

Really Disappointed in MPG

Performance: 3 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 2 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 4

This is my first Subaru. I was very excited about the Crosstrek as it had all of the great features of the Outback with better gas mileage and a bit smaller. Perfect I thought. I am pleased with the car except for the gas mileage. I purchased this car over the Honda CRV because of the mpg ratings. At first the gas mileage was about 28mgg which is advertised. But since then and with 8,000 miles on the car, I am getting 23mpg and it continues to drop with each tank of gas. I took it to the dealer and they can't find anything wrong with it and said to contact Subaru America which has been frustrating. Have others experienced this type of problem? tks

Love the XV Crosstrek, Limited nav/moonroof

Performance: 3 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

When looking for a car I needed a CUV with decent gas mileage. Main reason was for carrying my dog and for future family family vehicle. I tested the equinox, mazda cx-5, and nissan rogue. When i went to drive the cx-5 i saw the crosstrek (Mixed dealer). So i took a shot at the crosstrek, right away the looks of the car can make you fall in love. And i know plenty of my friends with wrx's and sti's and they praise subaru. I have to say the car has been living up to the hype sofar. I got the limited CVT with nav and moonroof. The car is great and i average 31 MPG! Do not gun the car and you will find the mileage is great. Ease into acceleration, and keep an eye on the mpg needle.

loving my new crosstrek

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

i really missed my saturn vue, but i wanted better gas mileage. i checked out kia sportage, hyunai tucson, honda crv, mazda cx-5, mitsubishi outlander, nissan rouge, ford escape, chevy equinox, and subaru forester. no 1 car had everything on my wish list. i didn't see this car til the last minute when i went to buy the forester. the crosstrek got my attention with the cool wheels and sleek design. this suv had everything on my list except auto headlights and navigational mirrow- direction in rear view mirror. my dealer was pretty cool. they agreed to trade out the mirrors. the way around the no auto headlights is to leave them on-they go off when you turn the car off. i love it so far.

happy overall...

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I happy with the purchase of my new Crosstrek so far but at just over 5,000 miles I'm starting to notice things I'm not thrilled about. I'm only getting 27MPG avg. I thought I'd do better. Sometimes when I put it in drive it takes 15 seconds or more to actually Go. When I first start it (even when it's not cold) it's rather loud and rattles. The stereo is not user friendly at all. I wish I had up graded but I didn't want to spend another $1000 for a navigation system I didn't want. The standard speakers just don't sound good. I've got a list for the dealer when I go back for my oil change. I'll come back w an update later.

LOOOOOOOOOOVE this car!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

I've only had my Crosstrek about 3 weeks now and I've 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!

Wish I could take it back

Performance: 3 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 1 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 4

Too bad there's no 90 day return policy. But first, there are some things to like about this car. The stereo and blue tooth work well. The all wheel drive is nice. Ok, I'm out. Really, my disappointment in this car boils down to one single thing: a 200 lb tongue weight limit on the trailer hitch. The thing is pictured in marketing materials with trailer hitch bike racks, etc. But a 200 lb limit? That's like a rack and maybe 2 bikes. Forget cargo carriers. I had 300 lbs on my Honda Accord and I thought that was whimpy, but really who puts a trailer hitch on an Accord (besides me)? As boring as the CRV was, I'm kinda wishing for a little Honda back in my life.

Way better than standard impreza

Performance: 3 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

We were in the market for a new car. We own a 2000 impreza and have been very pleased with it. 230K miles and very few problems. I saw that the 2012 impreza with the 2.0 engine and CVT transmission was rated @36 MPG. This is super mileage for an AWD vehicle. I test drove one and wasn't completely sold on it. I trashed the shocks, brakes and the fact that the base model doesn't have cruise control. There must have been a hidden microphone because not long after the crosstrek was introduced. They fixed everything. Better suspension, huge killer brakes, bigger gas tank & radiator and a lower gear ratio. Nice 17" wheels and a more ridged body structure. Much, much better car 30+ mpg so far.

LOVE my New XV Crosstreck

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I bought this so I would have a crossover with good gas mileage, comfortable to drive and be great in the snow and on dirt roads. Prevoulsy owned a 2006 Toyo Higlander which I loved, but gas mileage was killing me. Have owned toyota since "86" So far I have not been disapionted ! I drive 60 miles per day for work on a highway that can be very nasty in bad wheather. I got hit with a couple of snow storms right after buying this. Very nice! handled like a dream. Used the heated seats very comfortable. Getting around 27.6 combinded and 30-32 straight highway. I get allot of complements on the look (white pearl ext. w/ivory/black int.) Pick up is fine, very peppy, handles great on corners.

Bummed about MPG!

Performance: 2 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

I really like most things about the car but I am getting terrible (15-19) mpg after 3,000 miles and I don't 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 can't figure out any obvious explanation for the bad mileage.

Love the ride.

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

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 toyota's I own or better. Thight well built car with quality through out. Getting 27.8 combined mpg's 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 hasn't 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.

disappointed

Performance: 3 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

Since this is my first Subaru, I feel I may not have a good understanding of what to expect. I am quite disappointed by the car after only having it about six weeks. I am barely getting 20 mpg, far less than advertised, and one of the major reasons I purchased this car. I do find the engine extremely loud and bothersome but again, this may be characteristic of a Subaru? I feel it definitely lacks power but I was willing to sacrifice that for decent mpg, which is why I am frustrated beyond belief. I would seriously reconsider purchasing another and yet I realize that anyone I know that's owned a Subaru, loves them.

Zippy

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I am really enjoying my new Crosstrek Subaru. Never had one before, and hopefully won't 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.

Awesome car for the price

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I bought my XV Crosstrek in November of last year and have now driven it over 5400 miles. I am averaging 28.8 mpg currently and drive about 1/2 and 1/2 on city roads and highways. I love how comfortable the car is, love the cvt transmission which is nice and smooth, love the overall style of the car and love how it handles in the snow. I also upgraded the speakers and added the subwoofer. Absolutely amazing sound. Paid about $25k for the car and definitely feel I got my money's worth. I previously owned a 2003 Forester. Purchased the XV Crosstrek for the improved gas mileage. I honestly believe that I will be a life-long Subaru owner.

First Subaru

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I bought my Crosstrek through Edmunds web site; this required me to go pretty far afield - I live in IL but the dealer is located in WI. It was worth the trip to save the money. None of the local dealers would negotiate price at all. I got pretty much exactly what I wanted (plus the optional fancy rear view mirror and the all season floor mats) the first week the vehicle was available. LOVE the car. It is a lot peppier than I was expecting based on the reviews I had read. It is great in the snow. I've got about 4400 miles on it so far. Ask me again in 10 years how it's doing.

Return of the rough rider

Performance: 4 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 3

3 or 4 stars, but am giving it the benefit of the doubt. Only had it a couple weeks. The engine has plenty of zip. The CVT noise is only noticable if you floor it, which isn't needed to get quick acceloration. Corners and holds the road really well. Getting 26 MPG all around which is low for my 40 mile RT city/hwy commute. I'll wait till it's broken to see if it gets the advertised 28 MPG all around. Styling inside and out is nice. Front seats are quite comfy. The back seats not so much which accent the abrupt or jerky ride. That's my biggest issue. Annoying even over modestly rough surfaces. Rougher than most of the other small/ midsize SUV's I drove. Subaru needs to work on this .

Interior options

Performance: 3 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 3 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 1 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 3 Reliability: 3 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 1 Reliability Rating: 3

The Crosstrek "limited" offers only two stereo head units-the standard unit w/o Satellite capability and the NAV system with SAT. As satellite users for several years, we made a dreadful mistake in buying this SUV without making sure the "Limited" version had SAT. Adding a mobile car unit is "cheesy" and takes up more room especially if you have a "Garmin" on the dash. An aftermarket unit can be quite pricey and can range $500-$1800 including installation. Our local Subaru dealer quoted $4500 for a new Subaru factory NAV system if available and requiring a new antenna if wiring is possible. Would have given up leather seats for cloth in order to get SAT. :-(

Great Ride!

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

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 won't 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. Can't 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 don't 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.

Fun & Economical

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Am new to the Subaru line - was intrigued by the looks of the Crosstrek. Didn't look like a station wagon or any of the other suv-ish crossovers out on the market today. Lots of pick-up when accelerating onto the highway & changing lanes-enough for my needs anyways. Highway ride is smooth. Have not had to fill the tank yet so can't comment on the gas mileage - although am hoping that it comes in around the advertised 25-28 range for mostly city driving. The AWD did well in the recent wintry mix of a few inches. Never lost traction and went up hills with no problems at all.

Love my new Subaru XV

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

Finally got my Orange Subaru last week. Put 700 miles on it already and loving it. Sometimes I don't 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. Let's hope gas prices doesn't go up to $6 then you will see what I'm 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.

Fits the Bill!

Performance: 3 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

bought the cvt premium with moonroof 12/22/12, waited until Mayan apocalypse was over! I'm 6'4" and have plenty of legroom & even with the moonroof still had enough headroom. not the fastest vehicle on the road, but plenty of power to get it moving, merging or passing on the highway, just need to punch it. road noise isn't as bad as consumer reports describes, not sure what they're comparing it to? gas mileage pretty good right out the gate, 28mpgs on 380mi trip doing 70-80 with fully loaded car and only 100 miles on it at start. pretty impressed so far.

Fun and stylish with flaws

Performance: 2 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Fun to drive XV Crosstrek with smooth shifting manual. Needs 6th gear badly! Revs are way too high above about 65 mph. Needs about 40 to 50 hp, then it would be even more fun. But the looks alone sold me.

Great Car if you can find one!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

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!

Subitrek Follow-up Review of Crosstrek

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I posted a review of the Crosstrek Premium CVT several weeks ago. I've had several additional weeks to drive the vehicle. Subaru says that I should get 28 MPG combined and 33 MPG Highway. I have consistently been getting 32+ MPG combined, and 37 MPG highway. This has been a big suprise in getting much better than advertized MPG. If your looking for a vehicle with sports car-like acceleration in mid-range then look elsewhere. However, do yourself a big favor and test drive a Crosstrek, I think you will be really suprised in a good way.

They should make more cars like this

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

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, there's 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.

So Far, A Great Car

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

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.

Better than Impreza

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

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 I'd 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 Impreza's mirror block vision on right curves(was dangerous on the Impreza). This auto transmission doesn't have near the "holdback" going down hills the Impreza's had(I had to gas that the Impreza going down hills--hated it).

Subaru XV Crosstrek Premium CVT

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Got the first one in the area last week. After reading the early "expert" reviews, was pleasantly surprised that the car with CVT had plenty of pep and power, handling mountain roads/midrange acceleration with ease. Gas mileage slightly better than advertised, in mixed driving. Very nice build quality and interior materials. Yokohama Geolandar tires are a big plus for snow country! Handles beautifully, and very quiet on road. This is a good-looking, quality car, versatile enough for all-around use on all road surfaces and weather conditions, with very good fuel economy. The heated seats/mirrors complete the package. By far the best, most functional and attractive crossover I've seen!

Crosstrek Premium Review

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Bought the Premium Crosstrek CVT one week ago.I have been very impressed with the quality of the vehicle build, very solid and responsive. The exterior which I bought in dark gray is really sporty but sophisticated looking. The interior is very comfortable and has a very simple and useful layout. Plenty of room in the back seats with a 60/40 fold down for extra storage. Love that daytime running lights, fog lights, and heated seats are standard with the premium model. Interior lighting is very need with a calm red. MPG has been as advertised. Trade-in a pickup truck that got half of the MPG.