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Top 5 Reviews and Videos of the Week: Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Efficiently Tops Telluride

09 subaru crosstrek phev 2019 blue  detail  exterior  rear  taillights jpg 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid | Cars.com photo by Aaron Bragman

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid may not be getting the level of attention of, say, the Kia Telluride or Toyota Supra, but that didn’t stop it from being the most-read Cars.com review of the past week. Despite its popularity among our readers, however, it seems the hybrid version of the Crosstrek is aimed at a small subset of actual car shoppers.

Related: 10 Biggest News Stories of the Week: Honda CR-V Recall Leaves Subaru Outback Behind

That, at least, is how reviewer Aaron Bragman sees the appeal of the plug-in hybrid subcompact SUV-wagon, as he points out that it’s “significantly more expensive than a standard Crosstrek, making us wonder if the boost in fuel economy (and performance) is worth the price.”

And that performance boost is notable, according to Bragman.

“Driving the Crosstrek Hybrid is a serene experience — at least while electricity powers the car,” Bragman observes in his review. “[Electric vehicles] are usually wonderfully silent, and the Crosstrek is no exception: Smooth, calm acceleration is the name of the game, and as long as you don’t push too hard on the go-pedal, you’ll be rewarded with silent sailing. Alternatively, you can floor the accelerator and see just what the addition of electric motors does for the Crosstrek’s motivation. Spoiler alert: It makes it quicker. Subaru says the electric motors change the vehicle’s torque profile such that it subtracts a full second off its zero-to-60-mph sprint. That the car manages to do this despite being 600 pounds heavier than the standard Crosstrek is amazing.”

You can read Bragman’s full expert review by clicking on the link below.

Three videos from last week’s top five return this week: our drag-strip test of the 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye, our First Drive of the 2020 Hyundai Palisade, and our First Look at the 2020 Toyota Tundra and Tundra TRD Pro. Despite those videos’ continued popularity, none could take the top spot, which went to our First Drive of the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe enjoying a resurgence. Also resurfacing on the top five this week is our First Look at the 2020 Subaru Outback, which joins the list in fourth place.

Whether you’re shopping for a car or just like to stay up on what’s out there, you’ll want to check out the top five reviews and videos of the week below.

Top 5 Reviews

1. 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid Review: More Efficient, Less Useful

2. 2020 Kia Telluride Review: The New Big SUV Benchmark

3. 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan Review: All-Around Greatness

4. 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV Review: Driving Issues Impossible to Overlook

5. 2019 Lincoln Nautilus Review: Faces of Lavishness and Disenchantment

Top 5 Videos

1. 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe: First Drive 

2. 2020 Toyota Tundra, Tundra TRD Pro: First Look

3. 2020 Hyundai Palisade: First Drive

4. 2020 Subaru Outback: First Look

5. 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye: Drag-Strip Tested

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Road Test Editor
Brian Normile

Road Test Editor Brian Normile joined the automotive industry and Cars.com in 2013, and he became part of the Editorial staff in 2014. Brian spent his childhood devouring every car magazine he got his hands on — not literally, eventually — and now reviews and tests vehicles to help consumers make informed choices. Someday, Brian hopes to learn what to do with his hands when he’s reviewing a car on camera. He would daily-drive an Alfa Romeo 4C if he could.

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