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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek

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Overview

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2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek Review

By Zach Vlasuk

KBB Expert Rating: 7.0

In the automotive world, downsizing has long been synonymous with downgrading. While this notion is often far from true , most of today's compact SUVs have swollen to near mid-size proportions, which in turn spawned a new series of small SUVs that actually live up to their namesake. The all-new 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek is among this new breed of right-sized SUVs, offering a wealth of upscale features, nimble handling and ample cargo space at an affordable price. Rivals such as the Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman deliver engaging on-road performance and laudable fuel economy, but the new XV Crosstrek supplements its solid road manners with a surprising level of off-road proficiency and the best fuel economy of any all-wheel-drive (AWD) SUV on the market.

You'll Like This Car If...

Today's small-SUV shopper faces no shortage of choices, but if all-terrain capability and distinctive exterior styling are prerequisites for your next compact SUV, the 2013 XV Crosstrek should make your decision much easier.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you need a vehicle with a great deal of cargo space and an affordable sticker price, the larger Toyota RAV4 or the Honda CR-V is worth a closer look. Subaru fans who love the rugged capability of the XV Crosstrek, but require slightly more interior volume should consider its bigger brother, the Subaru Outback.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.0
Driving Dynamics

6.0
Comfort & Convenience

7.0
Design: Interior & Exterior

8.0
Value

7.0
Safety

N/A

How It Ranks

#6

out of 13

MPG

#13

out of 13

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

7.8 out of 10

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consumer ratings

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2013

The 2013 XV Crosstrek is a brand-new nameplate in the Subaru lineup and looks to make a name for itself in the small-SUV segment by way of impressive fuel economy, stylish sheetmetal and go-anywhere capability.

Driving the XV Crosstrek

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions Though it is largely based on Subaru's latest small-car platform, the XV Crosstrek feels exceptionally stable and secure on the open road. Road imperfections and undulations are well absorbed, and...

the up-sized brakes provide plenty of stopping power for the relatively light XV Crosstrek. The electric-assisted power steering lacks feedback, but the light effort makes low-speed parking maneuvers a cinch. The 148-horsepower engine, however, has a difficult time hauling more than two passengers, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) exacerbates engine noise under hard acceleration. To that end, drivers looking to haul more than a few hundred pounds should search for a more powerful alternative. Still, the prevailing impression is one of suitable refinement and comfort.

Favorite Features

STANDARD SYMMETRICAL ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
Unlike most competitor all-wheel-drive systems, Subaru's trademark symmetrical AWD continuously sends power to all four wheels to help prevent a loss of traction before it happens. Additionally, Subaru symmetrical AWD incorporates a compact design to optimize both fuel economy and handling performance.

PARTIAL ZERO EMISSIONS
Until recently, hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles were the sole recipients of the EPA's Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) rating. The Subaru XV Crosstrek achieves PZEV status without the need for costly alternative-fuel technology.

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek Details

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

Barring a few minor details, the XV Crosstrek and the Subaru Impreza share the same interior layout. While material quality is below average for the segment, panel gaps are narrow and consistent throughout the cabin. The rear seats offer sufficient legroom for average-sized adults and fold flat to yield 51.9 cubic feet of cargo space – considerably more than the Nissan Juke. The dashboard's center stack is home to user-friendly controls and a handy lower storage compartment for mobile phones and other small items. If possible, we recommend avoiding the optional navigation system, as the outdated interface can be extremely frustrating to operate.

Exterior

The 2013 XV Crosstrek shuns the utilitarian look of many "compact" SUVs in favor of a more aggressive, dynamic design. The look is spearheaded by Subaru's signature hexagonal grille and hawk-eye headlights, while prominent over-fenders and unique starfish alloy wheels combine to project an athletic stance. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance and fairly steep approach/departure angles, the Subaru XV Crosstrek is well-equipped for travel in unforgiving terrain. Moreover, the lower body panels are wrapped in rugged plastic cladding for additional protection against various obstacles encountered on unpaved roads.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek is offered in two trim levels: Premium and Limited. Premium models include roof rails, heated front seats, a multi-information display and a 6-speaker sound system with Bluetooth and a USB port for portable MP3 players. Stepping up to the Limited trim adds dual-zone climate control, leather, rearview camera, auto-on/off headlights and Subaru's new 4.3-inch touch-screen audio system with HD Radio. Despite the $25,000 price tag, Limited models do not offer power-adjustable front seats. Occupant protection comes in the form of seven airbags, rollover mitigation control and sure-footed traction of symmetrical all-wheel drive.

Optional Equipment

Since the majority of features are tied to trim level, the XV Crosstrek's short list of options includes a power moonroof, touch-screen navigation with a 6.1-inch display and host of stand-alone accessories. Given the substandard sound quality produced by the standard audio system, we highly recommend upgrading to the dealer-installed speakers from Kicker.

Under the Hood

The lone engine choice for the 2013 XV Crosstrek is a 2.0-liter, horizontally opposed "boxer" 4-cylinder engine that churns out 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The XV Crosstrek sends power to all four wheels via a standard 5-speed manual or an available continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Premium models equipped with a manual gearbox feature an AWD system with a 50/50 front/rear power distribution, while automatic transmissions are coupled to an adaptive system that automatically proportions power to the wheels with the most grip.

2.0-liter boxer-4
148 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
145 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/30 mpg (manual), 25/33 mpg (automatic)

Pricing Notes

With a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) that starts just under $23,000 and tops out around $28,000, the all-new Subaru XV Crosstrek is filled with value. In base form, the Nissan Juke undercuts the XV Crosstrek by a few thousand dollars, but does not include the same level of standard equipment. Larger compact SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V start just above $23,000 and easily surpass the $30,000 mark when fully loaded. To see what consumers in your area are actually paying for their XV Crosstreks, take a look at KBB.com's Fair Purchase Price at the bottom of this page. As for resale value, we expect the 2013 XV Crosstrek to perform slightly better than the Nissan Juke, but not as well as the increasingly popular Mini Countryman.

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2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.8

Out of 10

Based on 10 Ratings for the 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

8.7/10

Quality

8.8/10
Reliability

8.9/10

Performance

8.4/10
Comfort

8.2/10

Styling

8.6/10

Great Car Great Value - My 3rd Subaru

By trek4fun (WA) on Sunday, May 05, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Great for short and tall people 28-34 true avg MPG"

Cons: "lack of rear storage compartments"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"My previous 2 cars were outback, LL Bean edition’s. This car is less plush, noisier and bumpier than my previous Outback’s. However, I paid $13k less and I went from 21 mpg to 28 mpg on avg. It’s a solid car and performs well. I don’t have a lead foot but with two guys, bikes, and other gear, going up into the mountains is no problem. It’s got enough scoot to make me happy and the overall ride quality is good. I wanted to downsize my vehicle, or what I call right size, and this is the perfectly sized car. I am turning over a new leaf in life and am going for more of a minimalist lifestyle where less is best. Its saves me a ton of money and can go on further biking destinations on a fraction of the cost. I have everything I want in a car, reliability, good performance, high MPG, maneuverability, and AWD for the snow and forest service roads. I love it! PS, the factory trailer hitch is expensive and well worth it for rear bike racks. It’s inside the bumper so you can’t see it and it physically replaces the bumper supports. So much better engineered than aftermarket. Also great for short people. I recommend it!"

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Awesome car

By kittnen (MT) on Monday, April 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 777

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Incredibly fun to drive"

Cons: "some road noise, slow transmission"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Bought this car in February. We walked into the dealership with the full intention of buying an Impreza. I had not heard of the XV Crosstrek until the dealer pointed out the bright orange car. Took it for a test drive, and within a couple of hours, we owned it. I think it was love at first drive. It snowed the same day we bought it, and driving around the snowy hills of our town proved to be no problem. We took it out for a short road trip into the mountains with snow-blown roads, and it handled them like a champ. My husband and I have always driven 6 cylinder mid-size sedans, and I was concerned about losing power with a 4 cylinder. However, this has not been an issue, the engine has plenty of pep. The transmission is a bit slow when switching from park to reverse, or reverse to drive, but I think this has to do with the CVT. Still working on figuring out how to use the CVT to the maximum benefit, but I can see it being handy during summer road trips. Can't wait to take it to our favorite camping spots and see how it does on the dirt roads. We wanted a small SUV for camping and for when we decide to expand our family, and I think this is the perfect fit. I could see owning this vehicle for many, many years."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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CVT Takes some getting used to, but I love it

By Binjanjino (UT) on Sunday, April 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 700

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: Not Rated
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I'm only a couple of weeks in and I do love it. Can't wait to take it off road or drive in the snow when the time comes. The car is squatty, and I love that. The CVT is new to me and I don't punch it or push it, but maybe that's it... I'm still getting used to it and I'm being too careful with it because the engine does rev pretty high during normal acceleration getting on the freeway. That's the only thing. I feel if it had another 15-20 horses, it would a pretty big difference. I read about the Hybrid version for next year which will give it a 15 horsepower push which may be just what it needs to improve the driving experience. I know I may be nitpicky, but that's how I feel. I'm pretty sure once I get to take it off road or drive in the snow, I will forget all about my engine critique. This is my first Subaru and I feel so good in it. The drive is solid and comfy."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Love The Crosstrek!

By KLL (CA) on Thursday, March 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Sturdy, good price, fun, unique"

Cons: "Very few bells and whistles"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I spent 12 years in my beloved Chevy Tahoe and found it hard to settle on a replacement car - until I saw the Crosstrek for the first time. A replacement had to have high safety ratings, as well as great mpg with a low to mid-range price tag. The Crosstrek did not disappoint - the sturdiness and pep paired with the sporty design and standard features made this a great choice for me."

11 people out of 11 found this review helpful

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Great car

By Equalizer (CA) on Friday, January 25, 2013

I want this car

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fantastic new model"

Cons: "Small engine"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Driving around in this car felt fantastic. I just drove a Jeep Wrangler prior to it and lemme tell ya, the new Subaru is a beast. Rides great, heated seats are standard. Visibility is fantastic. Only thing I can think of is that it could use a larger engine option. The 2.0 will get you there, but it will have to work to do it."

13 people out of 13 found this review helpful

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So far, I love it!

By glydestar (PA) on Saturday, January 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 3,400

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 7/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Granted, I have not have the experience of driving this lovely new Subaru in heavy snow conditions yet. But In heavy rain, light snow (a few inches on the roads) intense gusting wind, winter ice, highway, mountain and city driving– it's fantastic. It feels stable and solid, yet fleet and maneuverable (that is a winning combination for me.) The mileage I'm getting is terrific. On a long highway trip I averaged 31-32, mixed with a lot of stop and go city driving I'm averaging 26. The MPG estimator on the dash helped me feel the car out for it's specific performance quirks and my MPG has improved as a result. The primary negative review I read before purchasing was regarding a weaker engine. I do not find this to be the case. Of course I traded in my Honda Fit when I bought it which was no powerhouse, and I don't hall a trailer full of horses up muddy inclines regularly, but I do drive a lot and through all kind of conditions and terrains and the engine has been doing just fine. The inside is comfortable and well designed. Clean and simple, which appeals to me. Not a massive cargo area, but again if that's what you're looking for go for a regular full sized SUV. If you're idea of a perfect car is a small SUV/rugged hatchback that is all terrain capable, cool looking, reliable, fuel-efficient, comfortable, etc etc etc.... This is probably the best option on the market. My only negative is that I paid top dollar since I bought it when it was first released, no negotiating at the dealership. Though considering the leather seats, review camera, all-weather package, and everything else standard in a Subaru- top dollar still wasn't that high!"

30 people out of 30 found this review helpful

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