Learn me: new Subaru cross treks. For SWMBO.

I live in Snowville, wife needs something AWD and raised a bit. I know virtually nothing about new Subaru. Is this the same 2.0L in the FRS? It must have the CVT... are they good? Problems? Good deals?

I dont know the answers to your questions, but just came back from a trip to Lake Tahoe and those things where everywhere. We had a bunch of snow during two of the days and I did not see any of them get stuck.

I have driven one twice as course cars at a rally. I can tell you that I really like them. The CVT's get amazing mileage for an AWD Subaru. I was knocking down 6.2L/100km, which translates to about 38 MPG (US). At the last rally we had over 8 inches of snow in the forest and I was plowing through it with no issues other than the damn stability control.

When I replace the Golf as a DD, I will be seriously looking for a Crosstrek with a manual.

Close friend of mine bought one the first year they were introduced. Absolutely hated it! Mostly the cvt trans and poor fuel mileage according to him. Only had it about 6 months and traded it and his 03 or so avalanche in on a 2011 or so avalanche. Yeah that makes sense. Now has an even newer avalanche black diamond edition. Not sure what the complaint about fuel mileage was all about. Can say I never rode in it, but did sit in it. Not a huge fan of cvt or more modern Subaru. Loved my wife's 05 forester though.

If you are going through snow, Subaru AWD is tough to beat. Throw snow tires on them and it's like playing a video game with a cheat code active. The engine in these is related to the FR-S/BRZ's engine but it's just regular port injection, instead of the direct-injection/port injection combo. Subaru's CVTs are rumored to be one of the less annoying CVTs on the market.

The cvt is 2 seconds slower to 60mph than the manual. like 10 seconds to 60mph

Still available with a 6-spd manual too if the CVT ain't your thing.

Iirc subarus cvt has fake gearshifts. Wtf.

sesto elemento wrote: Iirc subarus cvt has fake gearshifts. Wtf.

Subarus aren't the only one.

A coworker has a 2013 Crosstrek with the CVT. He's got a little over 100,000 miles on it and the CVT seems to be doing well. He drives mostly highway miles and gets decent fuel economy. His biggest complaint is what he calls "lackluster" acceleration. However, he says it is smooth and you don't feel it shift.

I'm in the minority of not being able to stand them. The CVTs return good mileage for a subaru but are problematic from a reliability standpoint. They move at a glacial pace and there are other options that can hold as much stuff, though it won't look as hip or trendy (or to me, pretentious). To me it's a vehicle that is serviceable at many things, but doesn't do ANYTHING particularly well, other then being fitted with bodymatched sidemoldings, an anomaly within the segment, outside of the V50 wagon. In 7 years Mr. Regular will proclaim that it's the official car of those currently trying a pseudo Alt phase and if that doesn't work out plan on getting a dog to round out their online dating profile.

Used flat 6 legacy wagon, 4runner, element, xterra, V50 or CX5 would all get my vote over the Subaru CV.

Test drove one (CVT) when we bought a 2015 Outback in 2014. Loved it. A little overpriced. A little slow/pokey. Otherwise, not much to dislike.

NickD wrote:

sesto elemento wrote: Iirc subarus cvt has fake gearshifts. Wtf.

Subarus aren't the only one.

It's stupid no matter who does it. if it's a cvt, let it continually vary.

Yeah, of my 7 friends who have bought cars in the past year or two, 4 of them have gone with new cross treks. In fact my boss was just talking to me about getting one for his daughter for x-mas today. They seem to be doing well and I haven't heard any complaints.

I have looked into them very briefly, also for my SWMBO. Essentially it is a lifted Impreza hatch with some extra equipment. If it were for me, I would just get the Impreza with the manual.

If your wife has no interest in manuals, the CX5 or RAV4 could get you into a similar AWD vehicle with a regular automatic.

It's hard to say without knowing more about your wife but it's probably a fair trade.

Wall-e wrote: It's hard to say without knowing more about your wife but it's probably a fair trade.

Boom-tish.

SEADave wrote: I have looked into them very briefly, also for my SWMBO. Essentially it is a lifted Impreza hatch with some extra equipment. If it were for me, I would just get the Impreza with the manual. If your wife has no interest in manuals, the CX5 or RAV4 could get you into a similar AWD vehicle with a regular automatic.

Must be auto. I'm not a fan of them, but.... well, those that are still married get it. My problem with a rav4 and cx3/5 or HRV/CRV is the AWD sucks. It's not REAL. Same with the Juke. I can't believe the auto manufacturers just let Subaru corner this market! Mitsu was the only challenger in this segment and now are not. If I'm flopping down 25k then I want the real deal dammit.

Trackmouse wrote: My problem with a rav4 and cx3/5 or HRV/CRV is the AWD sucks. It's not REAL. Same with the Juke. I can't believe the auto manufacturers just let Subaru corner this market!

Here's a hint: 95% of the buyers don't care. They just care that it says "AWD" on the side.

We were looking at Subarus for my wife recently, but the CVT was a deal-breaker. Went with a CX-9 instead, very pleased with it.

Yes, the FWD-with-rear-on-demand systems are not as hardcore AWD as Subaru, but Mazda does a pretty good job of making them behave well without weirdo transitions and without the fuel economy or weight distribution compromises. If you've got a spare half an hour, there's a very good video on youtube of a talk by a Mazda engineer about the kinds of things they designed in, I thought it was really interesting. (link).

BTW, if you really want the the dedicated AWD option but don't want the CVT, there's always an Audi. :)

In reply to codrus:

Eff that. I'll put a gun in my mouth before I'd own an Audi.

Had one in a Hybrid for about a year and a half. Not a bad car I just couldn't get over driving an automatic transmission. I know it's technically a CVT, but it acted like an automatic, even down to having fake 'paddle shifters'. Dealership gave me a screaming deal on the hybrid since I came in a couple days before end of the sales quarter, or I would have ordered/held out for a stick shift.

Ended up trading it in for a WRX instead, which kept most of what I liked about the car, but gave me that manual transmission I wanted and a few more ponies. I kind miss the layout though, and wish Subaru still had a 5 door version of the WRX.

-Hans

SWMBO has one. She likes it a lot and it hasn't had any issues.

I hate it. It's slow, head room is tight with the sun roof (like 1/2" clearance and I'm 6'2"). Oh yeah it's slow. Yes it's the CVT.

We take my Highlander Hybrid everywhere. It also has a CVT. It ain't slow.

Codrus, I just watched that link and a few vids after that. I'm Now on the mazda bandwagon! Thank you! Cx-3 here I come!