Response from the flat-four is pretty decent. Thanks to the torque distribution, I found that much like other Subarus, throttle tip-in is a bit sharp. There is a five-speed manual available, but our tester arrived with the Lineartronic CVT. It’s good for 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. It’s the same engine in the Impreza a 2.0L unit with the Dual Active Valve Control system and electronic throttle control. The regular XV Crosstrek is equipped with the Subaru signature motor, a horizontally-mounted flat four-cylinder. We also tested it last year and we concluded that only the most intense gridlock commuters will be able to appreciate the hybrid’s advantage. There is a hybrid version of the XV Crosstrek available, but Subaru doesn’t really intend for that to be the volume seller. Personally, I like how the XV looks – it’s different and your friends will see from your vehicle choice that you’re an out-of-the-box thinker. At the same time, the blacked-out wheels and overall stance can appear cartoonish and goofy to some.

The styling of this car definitely looks authoritative, as well as manlier and more adventurous than the Impreza. The Crosstrek’s added ride height and short wheelbase allow it to be the perfect compromise between a weekend adventure vehicle and an urban traffic commuter. Simply put, the XV Crosstrek is to the Impreza hatchback what the Outback is to the (now-defunct) Legacy Wagon. The Crosstrek is fundamentally based on the Impreza, but offers a significant amount of differences that justify its existence. After some minor tweaks to the line, we were handed the keys to a 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek to see how it stacks up a couple years after its introduction. A few years ago, we were introduced to the successor to the Impreza Outback, the XV Crosstrek. The Outback is the perfect vehicle for the outdoorsy family, that requires the added ride height of a crossover but still appreciates the versatility of the traditional station wagon. However, Subaru still remains one of those automakers that continue to offer their slightly offbeat offerings because they know their devout following appreciates this. We’re going on a decade since the Subaru Impreza Wagon has left us, and it’s been a similar amount of time since its larger brother, the Legacy Wagon was discontinued.

Subaru navigation system review 2015