Subaru XV Crosstrek
The Crosstrek nameplate traces its origins to its days as an off-road appearance package for Subaru's compact car, the Impreza. It was during the Impreza's fourth production cycle, however, when Subaru began to spin off the Crosstrek as a standalone vehicle. This variant, with a raised suspension and a five-door hatchback body style, was known as the XV Crosstrek between 2013 and 2015.
The Crosstrek nameplate traces its origins to its days as an off-road appearance package for Subaru's compact car, the Impreza. It was during the Impreza's fourth production cycle, however, when Subaru began to spin off the Crosstrek as a standalone vehicle. This variant, with a raised suspension and a five-door hatchback body style, was known as the XV Crosstrek between 2013 and 2015.
Standard All-Wheel Drive
Few, if any, subcompact vehicles have standard all-wheel-drive like the Subaru XV Crosstrek. Typically, subcompact rides have front-wheel drivetrains, which means that engine power is sent to the front wheels. All-wheel drive avoids unequal power application by sending power to all wheels. That way, all tires are firmly planted on the groundeven when it's made slippery by rain, snow, or ice.
Good Gas Mileage
Armed with a 2-liter flat-four engine, the Subaru XV Crosstrek offers the choice of swapping the standard manual transmission with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Eschewing the energy-consuming gear-shifting mechanism of the manual transmission, the CVT changes through a range of gear ratios without interruptions or gaps. As a result, fuel economy peaks at 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway with the 2015 model.
Available EyeSight Suite
For the 2015 model year, Subaru introduced EyeSight as an available feature to add to the XV Crosstrek. EyeSight is Subaru's proprietary suite of driver-assistance technologies. It includes forward-collision warning to help prevent front-end crashes, brake assist to provide additional stopping power if needed, lane departure warning to alert you when you leave your lane of travel without signaling, and adaptive cruise control to keep you at a safe distance from the vehicle you are following.
Engine
The previously mentioned 2-liter engine puts out 148 horsepower and 145 pound-foot of torque. That's not a lot of power to get the vehicle accelerating quickly from a stop. For instance, an Edmunds test of a 2015 model with the CVT yielded a 0-to-60 mph time of 9.9 seconds, which is slower than many other vehicles in the XV Crosstrek's class.
Transmission
If the engine is paired with a CVT, overall performance takes a major hit. The CVT produces engine noise; there's a coarse sound with each operation of the transmission. If you're sensitive to vehicle noise or keep your radio quiet, you'd be better off sticking with the standard manual transmission to avoid engine noise.
Sound System
The infotainment system on the Subaru XV Crosstrek includes a four-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo system, which is anchored by a 6.2-inch touchscreen. Upper-level trims are more likely to get six speakers and a larger 7-inch touchscreen. Despite the robust infotainment setup, the speakers don't provide the best sound quality.
Popular Trims
Subaru XV Crosstrek Owner Reviews
Average Rating for 2014
4.2
85 verified owner reviews
Top 2014 Reviews
Chris C. from AZ
Verified Owner · May, 2015
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
There is a large paint flaw on the hood of the car that I want fixed
Kenneth W. from CT
Verified Owner · Apr, 2015
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
I love the fact that it's all-wheel drive. Very helpful since the weather in the Northeast varies throughout the year.
Robert S. from VA
Verified Owner · Apr, 2015
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
They need to offer manual transmission to all levels of the Crosstrek. They also need to big the Diesel-powered models to the US. People have been waiting for years for the Diesel Subaru to come here.
Laura F. from IL
Verified Owner · Apr, 2015
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
We are enjoying everything about our new car.
Mark H. from NM
Verified Owner · Apr, 2015
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
The fuel mileage gauges (2) in the Crosstrek XV are redundant and useless. Anyone knows when traveling down hill you get better fuel mileage and when traveling up hill your fuel mileage drops. Why not put an oil gauge or something useful in one of the two locations; or nothing at all. The economy indicators are distracting and have no real value.
Andrea A. from IN
Verified Owner · Apr, 2015
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
Engineers need to make change to the cup holders-would be nice to be able to remove them to wash. Black low-grade carpet is hard to clean, especially pet hair it is almost impossible to vacuum out easy. Arm Rest is not very comfortable and sets back too far. Need new material on back of rear fold down seats. Again that means you haul stuff and black shows everything that sticks and hard to clean/vacuum. Maybe use molded hard plastic or material of that kind. Rhino spray stuff would not slide easy to clean
Tess G. from NY
Verified Owner · Apr, 2015
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
I love my new car and I speak highly of Subaru when talking with my friends and family.
B P. from NY
Verified Owner · Mar, 2015
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
I love my Subaru! This was one of the worst winters in the northeast and it was a dream to drive through it all. I didn't need snow tires, just an aggressive radial and it was great getting through the snow. Heated cloth seats are also a dream. I love heated seats but not a fan of leather, it's too cold in the winter and hot in the summer. It's not often you find heated cloth seats. Also the heated windshield wipers are a lifesaver in the harsh winter. Best visibility ever!
Vanessa M. from AZ
Verified Owner · Mar, 2015
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
Love the car! Stylish, zippy, fun! Negatives - more noisy than I thought when I originally purchased the car, and I can't stand the long delay when I reverse, then wait to proceed forward.
Chris K. from NY
Verified Owner · Mar, 2015
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
I traded in my 2013 Impreza sedan for a Crosstrek and now thinking maybe I should have stuck with the Impreza. The increase in ride height only marginally helped in comparison in the snow whereas the mpg and handling suffered significantly. Unfortunately I feel the fit and finish of the car is a little subpar as compared to my previous Subaru. A few more random noises on rough roads etc. Considering it has the same drivetrain as my previous Subaru and really only a different suspension the gas mileage suffered GREATLY unfortunately.