Consumer Reviews

Utilitarian Fun in Just the Right Sized Package

by reddrgn from on Thu Jun 01 2017

I selected "Having Fun" as my primary use for this vehicle, because all of the options in the list apply to me except for towing (for now). I spend a lot of time on the road, anywhere from 400-600 miles per week for commuting and recreation, so I have to not only trust, but enjoy the vehicle that I am spending that much time in. Previously, that was 9 years in a 2008 Subaru Impreza sedan, and while I loved that car, what it lacked in space and convenience on the recreational and transporting friends and family in, the Crosstrek entirely makes up for! The Crosstrek features plenty of leg and head room, no matter where you sit, and the seats are comfortable. No climbing up or down to get in/out of the vehicle, either. For the average height person, it's all on the same plane, which is great for my older parents that typically had a tough time getting in/out of the Impreza. The interior is nicely accented, neither flashy nor dull, and all driver controls are within perfect reach and easy to use, except for the USB drive (there is only one and it's inside of the center console). There is plenty of room for all of our camping, hiking, and fishing gear; the fishing gear requiring the most space, as we are avid muskie hunters and pack several one piece 8'6" heavy rods with large reels, a large, heavy tackle bag, a large net, bump board, etc. with plenty of room to spare for a third passenger or more gear. We also haul a 17' foot poly canoe on top of the vehicle, using the dual tie-down points on the front and rear and threading a center strap through the roof rack and rear doors. The boat rides very well over short and long hauls. With one person and no load in the vehicle, I am currently averaging 35mpg on the highway. With a few hundred pounds of gear, the canoe on top, and two people in the vehicle, I still pull 32-33mpg on the highway! That's a huge difference over the Impreza I had where I averaged 29mpg with the same load, or 30mpg with just me in the vehicle. I'm really impressed on that front. Granted, the Crosstrek does have a smaller (2.0 liter) engine than the Impreza (2.5 liter), but the performance really isn't much different. The Crosstrek is snappy, but not fast. You still need to plan ahead a bit in your driving style, because while it's solid and you'll go, it's not a jackrabbit response on the acceleration though it does hold it's own very well on ups and downs on cruise control. If you're used the Subaru's boxer engine, then you won't notice the engine noise. If you're not, then you likely will. It's not obnoxious, but compared to similar vehicles of other makes/models, it is louder. That's just how the boxers are, but I'll take it any day for the level of reliability and longevity that they provide. It handles much like a higher profile sedan. It provides a smooth ride at all speeds, corners very well, and is has very responsive steering and traction control. I drive on paved highways as well as chewed up dirt/gravel/bedrock roads (off of which I live) daily and it it sure-footed and solid on all of them under wet or dry conditions. I've got the 5-speed manual transmission, as I prefer manuals and find them fun to drive, and am very pleased with it. The clutch is surprisingly light. The exterior of the Crosstrek is similar to the interior in that's it's got a very appealing look and design with some nice little accents and aesthetic features. I have every confidence that, barring any accidents, I'll put well over 100K on this vehicles over the next several years as I've done with vehicles passed and continue to be very happy with my decision to choose the Crosstrek.

Purchased a New car

Uses car for Having fun

Does recommend this car!!

17 out of 17 people found this review helpful. Did you?

A great AWD Crossover

by BDanner from Wilmington NC on Sat Oct 13 2018

We purchased this for our daughter's first car. The 18's had just come out so we were able to get a brand new 17 with the Eyesight Safety package for less than the base 18 model. The high points of this vehicle for me are SAFETY, VISIBILITY, & DEPENDABILITY. EXTERIOR: The exterior of the vehicle is stylish and slightly rugged. Doors open wide (almost a full 90 degrees) and close with a sturdy clunk. Roof rails are standard, and with a set of optional crossbars will hold a good size cargo box. INTERIOR:The interior is durable cloth with a stylish orange contrast stitch. More than adequate head and legroom all around. Ample cargo space. As I mentioned before, the visibility in this thing is unmatched with large windshield and side/rear glass. There are soft touch materials aplenty. Controls (both dash and steering wheel) are very well organized and intuitively thought out. The Crosstrek does seem to suffer from a bit of identity crisis. Are the interior backlights Orange? Blue? Red? White? Yes to all and it seems a little disjointed but is not a major issue. Bluetooth and infotainment system is easy to use and features a single CD player, 2 USB ports, an auxiliary port and available XM Satellite radio. My only quibbles with the interior are the odd placement of the heated seat switch, lack of sunglass holder and a cruise adjustment that takes some getting used to (hard to explain, but suffice it to say it's the opposite of most cars I've driven). RIDE/PERFORMANCE: Ride quality is great. Cabin is quiet. Acceleration is adequate and the CVT is much better than the one on my Honda HRV. I wouldn't call it sporty, but I could go with nimble. Love that this vehicle is AWD, and unlike other offerings in this segment it is TRUE ALL WHEEL DRIVE, not 2WD and AWD when it senses it needs to be. Keep that in mind when you are comparison shopping. SAFETY: The Eyesight System is awesome! Adaptive cruise will keep you 1-2-or 3 car lengths behind the car in front of you. Emergency Breaking, Blind Spot Monitors, Rear Back up Camera with crossover warning all help ease our minds a little when we send our teenager out on the road. More airbags than you probably need, including drivers knee airbag. This is also a Insurance Top Pick for collision. SUMMARY: To sum it up, a great safe practical durable choice in this segment. I really wish I had chosen this when I was shopping for myself as my Honda HRV is a real turd to drive.

Purchased a New car

Uses car for Commuting

Does recommend this car!!

15 out of 15 people found this review helpful. Did you?

Quality = Subaru Crosstrek !

by Subie-Subie-Doo from Londonderry NH on Sat Aug 24 2019

I’ve been taking this car for a 24,000 mile test drive, and I’ll like to say I find the driver seat very comfortable accident avoidance and handling are excellent, gas mileage is surprisingly very good! I’ve had no problems whatsoever with the car, I just bring it in for it synthetic oil change and put gas in it and it goes and goes and goes. It’s been a wonderful experience so far. And wow the Subaru all wheel drive is fantastic!

Purchased a New car

Uses car for Having fun

Does recommend this car!!

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Did you?

Subaru is a great all around vehicle

by sstahoe from South Lake Tahoe, CA on Tue May 02 2017

This is my sixth Subaru and I have never been disappointed. I have lived in the high Sierras for the past 30 years and feel this is the best all around vehicle for safety and handling in all weather conditions.

Purchased a New car

Uses car for Having fun

Does recommend this car!!

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Did you?

Comfort Style & saves the $$$$ on GAS

by SubChucl on Sun May 06 2018

What a reliable and money saving vehicle!!! I previously drove a Jeep Liberty that wasn't as durable - cost me constant repairs and ate my gas and wallet- this Subaru had a smooth ride with rough road capability - and spacious- room for the whole family and even a roof rack !! In just one week I saved so much in gas money and insurance as the Crosstrek had an excellent safety rating

Purchased a Used car

Uses car for Commuting

Does recommend this car!!

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Did you?

Most reliable car I’ve owned. Safe practical vehic

by Mcmichaelpants from Vernon, NJ on Sun Jan 06 2019

The car is great for travel. The AWD is a great feature to have in the northeast. It got me through many bad snowstorms. Handles excellently and has great MPG

Purchased a New car

Uses car for Commuting

Does recommend this car!!

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Did you?

Very happy with this car so far

by KrisnChris from Elkton on Thu Oct 25 2018

This car meets or exceeds all our needs and we plan to have it a long time. We've owned several Subarus and this is the best yet!

Purchased a Used car

Uses car for Commuting

Does recommend this car!!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Did you?

Impreza on steroids

by Mark R from Chicago, IL on Sun Dec 02 2018

Had limited 2017Crosstrek unfortunately badly rear ended by plumber contractor's van. Survived crash. Eyesight and AWD was great, loved higher clearance and visibility around. It was best choice for the money, tried Honda, Toyota, Mazda counterparts - they are good vehicles but Subaru was better for me.

Purchased a New car

Uses car for Commuting

Does recommend this car!!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Did you?

The most bang for your buck.

by FogHorn from Calgary Alberta on Sat Sep 22 2018

As far as I’m concerned, living in Canada where the snow is often not cleared, you have two choices of vehicles, Subaru or AUDI, and Subaru is half the money for the same traction. Any other type of ’all wheel drive’ system, I don’t care what you call it, is not up to performing well enough when you need real traction. This vehicle is also tall enough to have proper clearance, but not to tall that it has poor stability. The new engine is very good on gas, almost as good as our civic was.

Purchased a New car

Uses car for Transporting family

Does recommend this car!!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Did you?