A PROPER off-road crossover - Subaru Crosstrek review UK 4K

[@JD-qd1bp]

I’ve had 2 of these in the past when they were called XV’s and now have an Outback. They’ve all been 100% reliable and have never let me down. Once you adjust your driving style the CVT is the best out there and is really smooth. They’re not designed to drive like a sports car although the low centre of gravity makes for surprisingly good cornering. I also have a GR86 for when I want some fun!

[@oddities-whatnot]

Good sensible comment. A lot of people don’t understand CVT. They expect BMW performance but these cars are not aimed at that market. I had a 2016 Outback, in the UK. Superb car. Hoping to get another Subaru soon, not sure which though.

[@luciobuffone8664]

I've got an XV - the older version of the Crosstrek. If you want a utilitarian vehicle that can go anywhere, is packed with safety kit and is comfortable and can take corners at high speed then get one.

[@colinevewright]

You missed the main strengths - safety and reliability. Subaru owners keep them for years because nothing goes wrong and they are one of the safest you can buy. When they change cars most but another Subaru.... Oh and it is not a 4x4 it is an AWD and is great for snow, wet fields and gravel, not meant for rock crawling

[@GrahamReid34]

But poor mpg, outdated infotainment, poor interior design overall just a dated and cheap feeling car.

[@oddities-whatnot]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@GrahamReid34poor mpg ? Not the best but you accept that with Subaru. They are heavy cars. Outdated infotainment ? Doesn’t even make sense that. It has a touch screen which does everything the same as other cars. Poor interior design overall ? Eh ? Compared to what ? It has everything you need. Seats, the touchscreen, steering wheel, etc etc. Weird. Cheap feeling car ? Again, compared to what ? Yes, let’s put a McLaren interior in it for Subaru money. Unbelievable negative rubbish.

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the video review, I particularly like the Exterior Styling

[@Mogsy28uk]

very handy for UK winters and the AWD and safety systems are very good. Engine needs the bigger 2.5L used in the Outback, that rest of world get in Crosstrek as an option, 2.0L is too rev hanging when pushed (same issue for Forrester with same engine). Most Japanese vehicles are CVT based for autos, as is the top end Ford Kuga models. Still enjoying my Gen 6 Outback, which would be nice if we could get the 2.4L turbo engine.

[@afcgeo882]

This may look very rugged, but in reality all of its underpinnings are straight from the Impreza hatchback. My mechanic specializes in Subarus and he has shown me what results in owners taking these off roads. Broken tie rids, cracked exhaust, bent lower arms and broken steering racks. They also often come in with overheated CVTs apparently. He said the motors are decent, but tend to have head gasket leaks as there are two of them and the way the pistons work, they pull the motor sections apart, creating those leaks. Treat this as you would any other car and you’ll get a very. reliable and comfortable hatchback.

[@UKcounties]

Thank you, very useful info, I have always loved Subaru's but they just can't make modern cars unfortunately

[@oddities-whatnot]

@@afcgeo882 head gasket leaks ? And to think most Subarus do not suffer from that, they would have gone out of business years ago if all their engines routinely failed. Ive had three, no engine problems.

[@afcgeo882]

@@oddities-whatnot You obviously have no clue. Subarus suffer from an extremely high rate of head gasket failures. It’s a product of their basic engine design. First off, their engines have two head gaskets instead of one, and second. the way the pistons work, they push and pull against each other from left and right, two sides pulling from each other. That pulls the heads away from the block, pulling the gaskets with every stroke. Porsche would have the same problem on the 911s, but they don’t use head gaskets.

[@RobertMackenzie-yn8ig]

Good review Funnily enough I was looking getting a Suzuki Scross , now this has made think I should have a look at this

[@shone8866]

Test drove both of them. Subaru, feels like a more quality product but, underpowered and dangerous in overtaking because it is missing that punch. I tried shifting into the lower gear but it only makes more noise. Infotainment is dated. The rear seats are tight and the trunk is as big as in the city car. Suzuki is much better for every day driving, infotainment is adequate and engine miles better.

[@jamiep61]

You are the first Motoring Journalist in the UK to do a video review

[@AutoSocialUK]

@@jamiep61 am I? Although I think a few more might start appearing as I’ve seen more KZbinrs taking delivery of this car.

[@jamiep61]

@@AutoSocialUK I don't think Auto Express will be doing a Video Review, but yes I will keep my eye out for other reviews

[@SEANFOX7]

No she isn't, House of Cars did one yesterday

[@RobertMackenzie-yn8ig]

@@jamiep61Planet auto did a review 3 months ago And they took it off road

[@Eurotherm9522]

@@AutoSocialUKyou are a good journalist very professional like Mat Watson on carwow

[@P.J.B.769]

Great looking car in a great colour. Not keen on the black wheel arches though. I'm a bit disappointed on the power output though as when you said it was a boxer engine i thought great! A Impreza in disguise! But sadly not. Enjoying all these reviews a lot Tish.

[@sunnygill2671]

Nice review tish I think the car looking abit old inside on few things But still think they will be very popular on the market for the winter months x

[@genepatrick4232]

Nice tech.

[@Willo1991]

Great review as always Tish. Interesting car, i always forget about them as a brand for some reason. Im yet to see an SUV for me personally that ticks the boxes my Sportage HEV does. Random question for you would you class a 3008 as a crossover or suv? Disappointed not to see the cat!

[@strawberryj7186]

New subscriber here! How do u get ur sound so good when its windy?!! 🤭

[@paulinebennink3754]

Do you review Subaru Forrester?

[@mikeclayton4439]

Hi,Tish,any chance you can do a review on the SEAT Arona FR 150 DSG. Thanks

[@AutoSocialUK]

I’ll see what I can do. Everything has gone a little quiet on the SEAT front.

[@mikeclayton4439]

@@AutoSocialUK Thanks Tish.

[@sthillarys52]

Great colour, shame about all the black plastic cladding, especially the weird shape around the wheel arches!

[@laurentiutrifan8173]

Hi, Tish 💙

[@laurentiutrifan8173]

For some reason ... in the US ... Subaru is perceived as the car brand of a certain community ... but ... in my view ... it has enough masculin DNA. I had the occasion to drive a Forester with a 2,5 l engine Turbo ... and it was a thrilling experience ... 👍👍

[@stuartkennedy4202]

@@laurentiutrifan8173. The USA get the better versions with the Crosstrek 2.5L engine and I think a turbo version plus various spec levels like the wilderness, sport, etc. You even get the option of a Harmon Kardon sound system. We get the basics at a higher price.

[@use-oc4mj6n]

Another good review from Tish, but I must say this car is for the elderly who are scared of technology and need a high riding vehicle for their dodgy hips and backs 😂

[@oddities-whatnot]

Scared of technology ? Utter rubbish. It has the same if not more than a lot of other cars. Subaru always have plenty of kit. What on EARTH are you talking about ? What else do you want in a car that this hasn’t got ?

[@joj4945]

I have owned 3 Subarus, Forester XT 275k km, Outback 445k Km, and now are about to change my TRIBECA Witsel 510k Km. No issues at all on any or them. Oncle complain is por Spainish dealershios, and no feedback from Subaru europe on any issuse related to dealers not knowing about properly servint the cars t’hem sell. Now I will bé trading the Tribeca for another Subaru. Although being one of the most reliable cars, Subaru Japan chose the worst importer and dealership network in Europe

[@simonp9075]

New Dacia Duster does it all for 10k less, looks a lot better and hard to beat off road. And the 4x4 mild hybrid 45mpg. Shame its taking so long to arrive in the Uk.

[@tonyb3629]

For the love of god - another SUV. Four wheel drive or not, this market cannot take any more of these jacked up cars with acres of black plastic to make them 'look' chunky. Please, let's have some normal cars back. At least it's not a full BEV though - some solice in that.

[@stuartkennedy4202]

It’s power is disappointing it’s gone from a sluggish 150bhp to 134 BHP with not good mpg around 32. I love the Crosstrek/ XV. Despite being a hybrid it does nothing for the mpg. The U.K. buyers have asked for the 2.5 engine Subaru do but have been ignored so they don’t sell that well here. Their loss.

[@oddities-whatnot]

The power has dropped yes but with other changes there is very little real world difference. Get a beemer if its speed you want. Watch the cameras, I dont because I stay within the limit. I also have a dash cam and record idiots on the roads…👍 the police like submitted footage.

[@stuartkennedy4202]

@@oddities-whatnotyou don’t have to be a speed freak to want decent power I also stay in the limits but like to be able to move out the way of idiots who are careless and I have my web cams to record the nutters. I don’t have a BMW done that and now have a sensible Lexus NX but with decent power and MPG. Subaru owners have often said their cars lack mid range overtaking power and that is important.

[@juliandclarke]

Good review Tish. I had two Impreza WRXs back in the day. But in my opinion, this car is woeful in the modern world. Don’t know what the CO2 emissions are, but expect high. Making it so mild hybrid is almost criminal I feel. Subaru don’t deserve to do well when they offer such basic machinery. I’m so disappointed as I used to love the brand, what it stood for. Had lovely friendly dealerships. But they’ve lost their way.

[@kamranhaqq]

Can you review the new MG HS

[@ukvamp]

The only thing I hate about the newer subaru's is they're all so damn slow! I don't expect impreza sti performance but something with a 0 to 60 of 7 to 8 seconds instead of calendar months would be nice

[@oddities-whatnot]

Not for you then. I had a 1.6 Impreza, 112 bhp. No problems. Had it two years. Very reliable car.

[@conogrady9254]

This review is the SHORT version!❤😙

[@stephenhall3515]

Tish gives good short reviews from the point of view of ordinary buyers and might even wear the sunglasses one day. In the meantime, perched thus and with Essex accent, her reviews have accidental nostalgia but she didn't note that that this "not 4 by 4" lacks a hook for the white plastic handbag. I only make fun because, like Brummie Matt on CarWow, she is superb at doing an honest job and is not afraid to be critical, having first done the homework. MPG is always a big deal in her reviews, along with safety, ease of driving, reliability and getting in and out of cars. The absence of Isofix at the front is because it is not usual for babies to travel upfront and Subaru is thoroughly Japanese with main exports to agriculture and civil engineering customers in a niche but loyal way. The USA market has declined but Canada and S. America are big customers and the ace Subaru can play is using different origins of a range of gasoline type products. Biofuels, mixes of ethanol and the probability of ammonia blends in the coming decade will be in contrast to Toyota's pursuit of hydrogen. Subaru's by now traditional market is quite remote but prospering parts of the world where servicing and repairs are not dependent on dealerships. It helps to retain the the flat 4 Boxer engine for longevity and inherent power not dependent on torque lying in high revs and although Porsche still uses the 150 year old technology it is a level of refinement which was not on VW cars from 1937 to 2000+ and therefore a special case. Emission concerns lessened the popularity of boxer engines but they are capable of 'total combustion' and therefore can be low in emissions. Pre electronics Boxers were tuned to perfection by hand and exhaust pipes (always twin) had a light grey colour. The model reviewed here looks like just another SUV and is too 'mild' a hybrid to be seen as a proper one. The next iteration might be more versatile in this for city use then a motor assisted main IC engine will do the job Subarus do very well indeed already in previous models. The seemingly ubiquitous screen need not be thrilling (or even present) when the instrument panel through the steering wheel is of variable function. 'Infotainment' is a fad and screens distract driver attention from driving so Subaru's next build of this car might do well to use proper switches and dials for haptic certainty anywhere -- in Dagenham high street, flooded Fen roads in Norfolk, across the Peak District, in a rainforest, Namibian desert, an Alberta blizzard with ice under the wheels etc etc. Retaining AUX in/out should be maintained because many communication devices around the world do not use USB, ranging from map readers

[@stephenhall3515]

to different sorts of radio coms, citizen band and autonomous tough computers used in remote places. GPS does not reach everywhere. This continued after power outage by the way. Tish properly implies the question as to who this particular is for. Subaru knows its customer base and has perhaps strayed into the "might as well make one" lane.

[@codyscholes8436]

I like your reviews and your accent, but those sunglasses served no purpose especially the whole time you were outside and squinting!

[@jumpferjoy1st]

Always good to see your videos..... BUT, sorry ALL crossovers are a compromise of poor choices. Every single one is questionable in emergency situations. How unstable they are in extreme situations, questionable steering and terrible braking. Sorry but the statistics do not lie. Being an occupant of a cross over/SUV/4x4, you are MORE likely to be injured due to the greater chance of collisions. Just because manufacturers think they can all sell cross overs/SUVs at inflated prices, aka the Qashqai effect, does not make them safe in any way......or efficient. Thanks, but no thanks.

[@harshitsingh6253]

Only here for tishhhhhhhhh.....