The XV is about as quirky a vehicle as we can expect in this day and age from Subaru, an automaker that once let its freak flag fly unfettered.
Having been shown already at Japanese and European auto salons within the last year, the XV was not new to most eyes at the Javits Center, but this was the first showing of the version bound for North America.
“As market tastes for crossovers evolved around the world, we saw a gap,” Tom Doll, executive vice president of Subaru of America, said at the car’s introduction. “The XV is clearly our most design-oriented crossover to date.” Mr. Doll identified “young urban buyers” as the XV’s target customers. But with nearly nine inches of ground clearance, equal to that of the larger Outback, the XV could wear a canoe on its roof without effecting the faux-ruggedness of a Brooklyn woodsman.
Though Mr. Doll expected sales of 320,000 Subaru vehicles in the United States this year, up from 266,000 in 2011, he did not discuss what the XV’s contribution to that goal might be.
The same 148-horsepower boxer 2-liter 4-cylinder engine found on the Impreza on which the XV is based. Also sourced from the Impreza are the XV’s 5-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmissions. Subaru estimates combined fuel economy of 33 miles a gallon.
Showrooms will take delivery this fall of the all-wheel-drive crossover, but pricing was not announced. For comparison’s sake, the Impreza Sport sells in the low $20,000 range.
The Brats, XTs, SVXs and Bajas of yore are not even a glint in the XV’s crossbar grille. Aside from the added ground clearance and matte-black cladding running over wheel wells and side skirts, little would distinguish the XV from an Impreza Sport. For quirky all-wheel-drive kicks, young urban buyers might also consider the Nissan Juke, though they’d probably rather be seen driving a vintage Toyota Land Cruiser.
The advantage:
Having been shown already at Japanese and European auto salons within the last year, the XV was not new to most eyes at the Javits Center, but this was the first showing of the version bound for North America.
“As market tastes for crossovers evolved around the world, we saw a gap,” Tom Doll, executive vice president of Subaru of America, said at the car’s introduction. “The XV is clearly our most design-oriented crossover to date.” Mr. Doll identified “young urban buyers” as the XV’s target customers. But with nearly nine inches of ground clearance, equal to that of the larger Outback, the XV could wear a canoe on its roof without effecting the faux-ruggedness of a Brooklyn woodsman.
Though Mr. Doll expected sales of 320,000 Subaru vehicles in the United States this year, up from 266,000 in 2011, he did not discuss what the XV’s contribution to that goal might be.
The same 148-horsepower boxer 2-liter 4-cylinder engine found on the Impreza on which the XV is based. Also sourced from the Impreza are the XV’s 5-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmissions. Subaru estimates combined fuel economy of 33 miles a gallon.
Showrooms will take delivery this fall of the all-wheel-drive crossover, but pricing was not announced. For comparison’s sake, the Impreza Sport sells in the low $20,000 range.
The Brats, XTs, SVXs and Bajas of yore are not even a glint in the XV’s crossbar grille. Aside from the added ground clearance and matte-black cladding running over wheel wells and side skirts, little would distinguish the XV from an Impreza Sport. For quirky all-wheel-drive kicks, young urban buyers might also consider the Nissan Juke, though they’d probably rather be seen driving a vintage Toyota Land Cruiser.
The advantage:
The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek comes standard with all-wheel drive. It features a practical mini-SUV design and excellent fuel economy. Voice command includes the ability to request music by name.
The unfavorable:
The unfavorable:
The XV Crosstrek's acceleration is on the slow side. The navigation head unit's interface can be confusing.
The offer:
The offer:
Although lacking cutting-edge cabin tech, the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek covers the basics very well, and offers excellent practicality and easy drivability. Price $ 21,995.00
Source
Source
