2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid first drive review: Worth the extra charge

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is the model’s second try at a hybrid crossover. The primary iteration by no means bought significantly nicely, so Subaru took a distinct method this time round, using plug-in expertise borrowed from Toyota. Consequently, the brand new Hybrid mannequin presents a compelling argument for the additional cash it instructions over the traditional Crosstrek.Juices flowingAn Eight.Eight-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery affords as much as 17 miles of all-electric vary, which you’ll be able to recoup after 5 hours of Stage 1 charging or after two hours on Stage 2. DC quick charging is not provided. And whereas 17 miles is not a ton of vary, that is nonetheless ample for most folk who’ve shorter commutes.Subaru says many house owners will journey round 6,000 miles a 12 months on electrical energy alone, which represents a big vitality financial savings. The usual Crosstrek will get 29 miles per gallon mixed, whereas the Crosstrek Hybrid is nice for 35 mpg mixed in hybrid mode and 90 MPGe with a completely charged battery delivering all-electric driving vary. Plus, whereas the usual Crosstrek makes use of a 16.6-gallon fuel tank, the hybrid employs a 13.2-gallon unit. Regardless of this smaller tank, the Hybrid’s 480-mile estimated vary is simply 1 mile lower than the gas-only model.All of the goodiesStarting at $34,995 (plus $975 for vacation spot), the Hybrid relies off the top-shelf Crosstrek Restricted, so it comes fairly nicely geared up with heated entrance seats, leather-based upholstery and an Eight-inch StarLink infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Driver-assistance options together with adaptive cruise management, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keep help, cross-traffic alert and automated excessive beams are additionally normal. All Crosstrek Hybrids obtain a singular gray- and navy-blue inside that contributes to the cabin’s already spacious, premium feeling. The entrance seats are comfortable and comfy, however an absence of accessible lumbar adjustment may very well be an issue on longer street journeys. Additionally, the rear home windows lack the auto-down and auto-up performance of the entrance home windows. That is an annoying omission for a automotive that, as examined, totals $38,470 together with vacation spot.The Crosstrek Hybrid’s unique gray- and navy-blue inside livens up what was already a spacious and premium-feeling cabin.
Michael Shaffer/Subaru
Non-compulsory goodies on my tester embody a sunroof, heated steering wheel, embedded navigation and an eight-speaker, Harman Kardon premium audio system that I discover to be a notable enchancment over the Crosstrek’s normal audio. These Harman Kardon audio system are augmented by a extra serene inside backdrop that is 5 decibels quieter than the usual Crosstrek because of extra sound insulation. “After we first put in the hybrid drivetrain within the Crosstrek, the automotive was so quiet in EV mode that wind/tire/street noise turned apparent,” says Garrick Goh, automotive line supervisor for the Crosstrek Hybrid. “[A] aspect impact of engine operation is white-noise technology, which masks the skin world. EV mode would not have that. Therefore the required further sound deadening.” In observe, the Crosstrek Hybrid does an excellent job of quelling noise on the freeway when the engine is off. When it fires up, the signature flat-four burble sounds distant. General, I can not say the Crosstrek Hybrid’s inside approaches luxurious ranges of tranquility, however it’s first rate for a mainstream car.A notable downfall in contrast with the usual Crosstrek is cargo area. There’s solely 15.9 cubic toes behind the second row and 43.1 cubic toes with the rear seats folded, in comparison with 20.Eight and 55.three, respectively, for the non-hybrid mannequin. On account of all of the area the battery occupies behind the rear seats, the Crosstrek’s cargo maintain is smaller than many subcompact crossovers. The plug-in, with its 1,000-pound towing capability, additionally pulls 500 fewer kilos than the gas-only mannequin — after all, not many people tow with the Crosstrek, so this downfall is probably going negligible. The plug-in Crosstrek incorporates a commendably stiff chassis and well-tuned suspension, however the steering lacks precision and is devoid of really feel.
Michael Shaffer/Subaru
Demure on-roadKeep a light-weight foot on the throttle and you may stand up to 65 miles per hour in electric-only mode. A heavier foot and speeds increased than 65 mph will make the plug-in Crosstrek function as a traditional hybrid. If you wish to save the all-electric vary for later, interact the battery save mode that locks the Crosstrek Hybrid out of full-EV operation. There’s additionally a battery cost mode you should use to cost the battery whereas driving. Over the course of 60 to 90 minutes, cost mode will burn an additional gallon of gas to fill the depleted battery to 80 % or about 13 miles of EV vary.Tooling round city in EV mode is a nice expertise. There’s a synthetic, pedestrian-alerting whirr, and I truly discover it a enjoyable accompaniment to the otherwise-silent motoring.This Subaru is an easy, high-riding commuter. With 148 horsepower of complete system output and the moment 149 pound-feet of torque from simply the electrical motor, its acceleration is nothing to write down house about. To the Crosstrek Hybrid’s credit score, although, it is a few second faster to 60 miles per hour than its gasoline-only counterpart, which takes about 10 seconds to get to 60.Meandering alongside Santa Barbara’s Freeway 154, I study that mountainous sweepers are usually not the high-riding hybrid’s forte. Elevated speeds uncover an absence of directness within the steering. I usually must dial in some mid-curve corrections to trace an correct line. It is also unlucky that the steering lacks even a whisper of suggestions. In tighter sections of street, nonetheless, the place my inputs are extra deliberate, the steering’s lack of precision and really feel is much less of a difficulty because the Crosstrek Hybrid’s barely stiffer chassis begins to take middle stage. Deal with a nook rapidly and you may really feel the braking power on the within entrance wheel lending a hand to maintain you protected; this brake-based, front-axle torque vectoring is provided on all Crosstreks.The Crosstrek Hybrid can obtain as much as 35 mpg mixed as a hybrid, or as much as 90 MPGe in EV mode.
Michael Shaffer/Subaru
Dynamically, I am finally a fan of the Crosstrek Hybrid’s suspension. At over three,700 kilos, the plug-in is about 500 kilos heavier than the traditional Crosstrek, necessitating some suspension tweaks. But regardless of its further weight, the Crosstrek Hybrid displays minimal physique roll whereas providing the kind of experience that retains bumpiness at bay. In the event you’re touring over a rutted part of tarmac, you understand it is there, however it by no means appears to upset the Crosstrek or your backbone. Additionally due to the added weight, Subaru has upgraded the Crosstrek Hybrid’s brakes to vented discs out again, in contrast with strong discs for the usual mannequin. Beneath braking, it is principally the regen — not the brake pads — slowing you down. Some hybrids exhibit touchiness with their regenerative braking, however the plug-in Crosstrek has next-to-seamless stopping really feel no matter pedal stress.Electrifying off-roadThe plug-in powertrain would not hinder any of the Crosstrek’s off-road skill, as this electrified model retains the usual mannequin’s beneficiant Eight.7 inches of floor clearance. As quickly because the pavement ends, I hit the X-Mode swap, which maximizes traction whereas additionally incorporating hill-descent management at speeds beneath 12 mph. Immediate electrical torque is remarkably satisfying off-road. Over bigger obstacles that decision for heavier throttle, the two.Zero-liter, flat-four-cylinder gasoline engine will kick in, however it by no means must rev excessive to ship torque as a result of the electrical motors have that coated all the way in which from Zero rpm. Consequently, the PHEV system makes the Crosstrek Hybrid really feel extra assured off-road than its standard counterpart, and you may be extra gradual with throttle purposes, given the moment EV energy.This electrified Crosstrek feels extra at house on unpaved roads.
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Is it price the additional cash?The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid’s $34,995 MSRP represents a hefty $7,800 value premium above the top-level, gas-only Crosstrek 2.0i Restricted, at $27,195. How a lot your gas financial savings will counteract the Hybrid’s markedly increased MSRP will differ relying on the way you drive and the size of your commute. Extra importantly, that $7,800 premium may very well be decreased after accounting for the $four,500 federal tax credit score, to not point out different native and state incentives. In California, for instance, when all obtainable credit are factored in, the Hybrid’s premium may very well be decreased to as little as $1,800.The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid goes on sale nearer to the tip of 2018 and might be obtainable in 10 states that adjust to California emissions at first, whereas probably increasing to different states after that. Prospects within the different 40 states the place the Crosstrek is just not but obtainable in dealerships, nonetheless, will be capable of specifically organize them at taking part retailers.Finally, the Crosstrek Hybrid is a smidge faster, simply as succesful off-road and considerably extra environment friendly, albeit much less spacious for cargo than the gas-only Crosstrek. The additional value premium is unquestionably one thing to think about, however in most key areas, the plug-in powertrain solely makes the already-good Crosstrek even higher.Editors’ notice: Journey prices associated to this characteristic have been coated by the producer. That is widespread within the auto trade, as it’s miles extra economical to ship journalists to automobiles than to ship automobiles to journalists. Whereas Roadshow accepts multi-day car loans from producers with a view to present scored editorial opinions, all scored car opinions are accomplished on our turf and on our phrases.The judgments and opinions of Roadshow’s editorial group are our personal and we don’t settle for paid editorial content material.