When you’re buying a car, you want the most bang for your buck. Let’s face it: a car costs a pretty penny, and you want to be sure that that pretty penny goes a long way. You don’t want a car that will be dysfunctional two years down the road, nor do you want a car that lasts forever but is no fun to drive. What you want to look for is a car that is affordable, sustainable, capable, and fun. Where to go? A local Subaru Crosstrek dealer! Subaru is known for crafting excellent vehicles that are both affordable and long-lasting, providing luxury features that make the ride enjoyable for the whole family.
When it comes to accommodating these criteria, one of the best models to look at is the Crosstrek. Now, before my ringing endorsement has you sprinting out the door to your local Subaru Crosstrek dealer, let’s see why the Crosstrek will give you the bang you want from your buck. This spunky little CUV has a lot to offer, and it is good to be well-informed. Whether you’re buying new or pre-owned, the Crosstrek will meet this criteria, but since it’s the latest and the greatest, we’ll focus on the 2022 Crosstrek. After defining the Crosstrek’s functional space, we’ll look at three components: performance, design, and technology.
What Is It?
As I previously stated, the Crosstrek is a CUV; bigger than a compact car but not as big as a full-size SUV. Because of this crossover design, its strong suit is in family life. If you’re just starting your family and need a vehicle to suit your needs while the first couple of kids start growing, this design will be well-suited to your needs. Admittedly, the Crosstrek is not a vehicle designed to have the most epic performance numbers on the road; but if you’re looking to accommodate your family on the everyday commute or simple road trips, then you don’t need 800 horsepower, but you do need a reliable vehicle with generous cargo space and highly-effective safety and technology features. The Crosstrek is not necessarily here to impress every other driver on the road, but it is here to impress your family. It is important to note, however, that while the Crosstrek’s segment is not known for high-speed thrills, it does offer more horsepower than counterparts like the Honda HR-V and the Toyota CH-R, so when it comes to CUV capabilities, it certainly holds its own.
Reliable Performance
With this in mind, the 2022 Crosstrek offers an available 2.5-liter direct-injection boxer engine. This engine, with an ingenious horizontal layout, provides a low center of gravity and good balance, making for an efficient transfer of power. With its unique design comes unique capabilities, including 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This responsiveness will be experienced in a heightened way, with symmetrical all-wheel-drive coming standard on the 2022 Crosstrek. So, when it comes to handling and responsiveness, the Crosstrek is working overtime.
I mentioned earlier in the piece that Subaru is known for producing affordable vehicles. While this may initially be music to your ears, it may also be room for doubt. You may think, “what’s it missing if it’s that affordable?” Well, affordability does not necessarily begin and end with the MSRP. After all, what’s the point of buying a cheap car if you’re going to pay the difference in fuel, repairs, and maintenance? The Crosstrek is not only economical in its MSRP (starting at $22,445) but also in its fuel efficiency of up to 34 MPG highway. That is an impressive number for any vehicle anywhere, and the fact that it exists in a car as humble as the Crosstrek is quite impressive. This 34 MPG figure makes for 500 miles of driving range. That’s a round-trip from NYC to Washington DC with a little leftover!
Practical Design
You know a Subaru when you see one; you don’t have to be a car buff to recognize this iconic brand. The 2022 Crosstrek’s balance bears the classic Subaru look of trendy athleticism and can be customized by way of nine dynamic color options. When it comes to getting the most out of the style department on your Crosstrek, the trim to turn to is the Crosstrek Sport. The gunmetal finish exterior accents combined with exclusive dark wheels and a unique grille design make for an even bolder Crosstrek that really leans into its own athleticism. If you’re going with the Sport, you may want to consider the Plasma Yellow Pearl exterior color because the interior is nicely accentuated with yellow contrast stitching and accents to complement its dark complexion. This interior includes water-repellent upholstery and floor mats made from recycled material, so it is eco-friendly and ready for adventure.
When it comes to taking care of your family, style often comes second to functionality, namely space! Well, with an impressive 121.7 cubic feet of interior volume (once again, more than most of its main competitors), the Crosstrek is more than ready to accommodate both your passengers and your cargo. The 60/40-split folding rear seat makes for a generous cargo volume of up to 55.3 feet or a passenger volume of 100.9 cubic feet. Seeing as the Crosstrek seats five, this generous passenger volume will make for a comfortable ride for everyone.
Convenient Technology
When it comes to vehicle technology, there are two main departments: infotainment and safety. When it comes to entertainment, it all begins with STARLINK Multimedia, which comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Audio, keeping you connected at all times. You’ll have easy access to apps, music, navigation, and a whole host of other things you may need from your mobile device. No need to hold the phone while you drive, because STARLINK will have it all on the infotainment screen for you.
Sometimes, when you’re in the car, you want a break from being connected, and you want to get lost in the music of the drive. If this sounds relatable, you will want to take advantage of the available Harman Kardon Premium Audio system. The acoustics of this system will pump out detailed audio through a class-D amplifier by way of eight speakers. With Clari-FI Technology to restore and correct audio fidelity, you may find yourself driving around for the sole purpose of listening to your favorite music.
Now, when using in-vehicle technology as fantastic as what the Crosstrek provides, you still have to be diligent about driving safely! Some good news, though, is that the Crosstrek will work just as hard as you do to make sure that your ride is safe. With standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, the vehicle optimizes cruise control while monitoring traffic and providing you with warnings when a dangerous situation may occur. Paramount to the EyeSight package is Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, which takes cruise control a step up by helping with throttle control, steering, and braking. But you still have to stay awake!
Also available is STARLINK Safety and Security, which bridges the gap between safety and infotainment by providing remote services and emergency help, such as Automatic Collision Notification, SOS Emergency Assistance, and Stolen Vehicle Recovery. It is absolutely crucial that you and your family remain safe, and if an unsafe situation should present itself, the Crosstrek is equipped to get you and your family back to safety as quickly as possible.
Here for the Long Haul
The cherry on top of everything we’ve discussed already is Subaru’s dedication to vehicles that last. Of Subaru Crosstreks sold in the last five years, 97% of them are still on the road today. This is a highly impressive statistic, and many of the Crosstrek’s competitors cannot compete. What’s more, Kelley Blue Book named the Crosstrek the Best Resale Value in its class for 2020 and 2021, so the word is out that the Crosstrek is a high-value vehicle. Like I said at the beginning, if you are going to invest in a vehicle, you want to make sure that you are getting the most bang for your buck. The Crosstrek will provide that bang, and if you’re in the market for an affordable, sustainable, capable, and fun CUV, then you would do well to get behind the wheel of a Subaru Crosstrek.
