The Subaru Crosstrek is a fuel-efficient small crossover with 5-star safety ratings and standard all-wheel drive. For 2016, the Crosstrek gets a redesigned front end and a new suite of available safety features.
And the entry level Crosstrek starts just over $21.595, making it an attractive alternative to other, more popular crossovers. It’s available in five trim levels, including a couple of hybrid options.
The Crosstrek is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine that produces 148 horsepower and 145 lb.-ft. of torque. In a boxer engine the pistons travel horizontally rather than vertically.
Subaru is a popular brand up north because their vehicles are particularly well-equipped to handle snow and other bad driving conditions. Every Subaru except the rear-drive BRZ is outfitted with the company’s Symmetrical All Wheel Drive system. But Louisiana drivers experience plenty of liquid snow (rain), and AWD vehicles are your best bet in all driving conditions, including wet roads.
The Crosstrek 2.0i is the base model and comes with a 5-speed manual transmission, 17-inch wheels, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with controls, Bluetooth, cruise control and a 6.2-inch touchscreen with smartphone apps and a backup camera.
Our test car for the week was the Crosstrek 2.0i Premium with a cold weather package that included heated mirrors, heated seats, a leather steering wheel and shift knob, a removable cargo tray and upgraded audio.
The 2.0i Limited comes standard with a continuously variable transmission, a 7-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM and HD radio, leather seating, automatic climate control, automatic headlights, blind spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert.
The 2016 Crosstrek also gets Subaru’s new STARLINK Cloud Applications with safety & security technologies like SOS emergency assistance, automatic collision notification, a monthly vehicle health report, remote lock/unlock and stolen vehicle recovery service.
But the best Crosstrek safety feature still has to the EyeSight Driver Assist technology introduced on the 2015 model. EyeSight Driver Assist technology employs adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, pre-collision braking and pre-collision throttle management to help drivers avoid collisions in the first place.
Available in Premium and Limited trims, EyeSight uses camera technology to integrate the cruise control and pre-collision braking systems to bring the car to a complete stop when it senses a crash is imminent. The system works up to about 30 miles per hour.
The EyeSight system and all-wheel drive are two important reasons the 2016 Crosstrek gets 5-star safety ratings from the government and a Top Safety Pick + award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
If you want to challenge people at red lights, the 148 horses offered by the Crosstrek engine won’t win you much. I’m also not a big fan of CVT transmissions for aesthetic reasons, but they’ll improve your fuel economy significantly. The Crosstrek is EPA rated at 26 miles per gallon in city driving and 34 mpg on the highway. In fact, the manual transmission will actually reduce your fuel economy. With its AWD and a high ground clearance (8.7 inches), the Crosstrek also has some off-road capabilities.
Inside the Crosstrek cabin, fit and finish is excellent and materials are attractive and durable. At the top of the center stack, a hooded driver information center displays often accessed information like the outside temperature, distance until empty and the time.
For my 6-foot-1 frame, headroom in the Crosstrek is good in front (39.8 inches) and decent in back (37.7 inches). Legroom in front is 43.5 inches and in back it is 35.4 inches. That leaves room for 22.3 cubic feet of storage space (51.9 cubic feet with the rear seats down).
Subaru owners are a loyal bunch, and who can blame them? With excellent fuel economy, top safety ratings and an affordable price tag, what’s not to love?
2016 Subaru Crosstrek
2.0i Premium
Engine:
- 2.0-liter 4-cylinder boxer
Horsepower/Torque:
- 148 / 145 lb.-ft.
Transmission:
- CVT
Price:
- $22,395 ($26,240 with options & freight)
EPA mileage ratings:
- 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined
Estimated highway range:
- 540 miles
