Subaru needs a Crosstrek XT

"DasWauto" (DasWauto) 11/30/2019 at 17:01 • Filed to: Necessary car shopping without E90M3, blubaru

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I liked just about everything about the Crosstrek I just  drove - the ride height, comfort, visibility, size, even the manual transmission, all good - it just needs more power. It feels much like my WRX, just without a turbo to kick in at 2500rpm.

It’s the result I expected but hoped I could deal with. The car I want doesn’t exist.

Sad trombone noises.

bob and john > DasWauto 11/30/2019 at 17:14

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how hard is it to turbo/S/c on of these?

facw > DasWauto 11/30/2019 at 17:19

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That’s all I hear about the Crosstrek, that it’s excellent aside from being seriously slow.

DasWauto > bob and john 11/30/2019 at 17:37

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No idea but I won’t be doing that to a new car. The warranty is the entire reason for buying new, as far as I’m concerned. 

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > DasWauto 11/30/2019 at 17:43

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Sadly, there’s no manual in the USA, and no manual with AWD in any market, but the Hyundai Kona solves the power problem while adding even more sporty handling to the “nearly perfect” package of the crosstrek. The 1.6t with the 7-speed DCT and AWD (whatever Hyundai chooses to call it in whichever market) Limited (in USA) is a really great little CUV, and unless you need the extra few cubic feet of space or ~2 inches of ground clearance (and can stomach a car with no third pedal) really deserves a look for people in that market segment.

M.T. Blake > DasWauto 11/30/2019 at 17:55

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Or they need to raise the roof and give the WRX a lift. Either way, it will sell. 

DasWauto > M.T. Blake 11/30/2019 at 17:57

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I’m seriously considering lifting my WRX as the bumper-bumper warranty is just about up. 

M.T. Blake > DasWauto 11/30/2019 at 17:59

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I’m seeing a WRC homage in my mind. 

DasWauto > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 11/30/2019 at 18:02

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The third pedal tends to be my hangup and inevitably just turns me into an old me yellowing at clouds. The tide is against me/us.

I wouldn’t necessarily consider the Crosstrek sporty; its increased ride height and softer suspension is the main reason I’m considering it to replace the WRX. Though I guess it could be sporty-er  handling compared to other crossovers (which I don’t consider the Crosstrek to be, as it is literally just a lifted car), but I have no basis for comparison there. 

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > DasWauto 11/30/2019 at 18:08

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I almost bought a Jeep Renegade so I could get a manual trans with some fairly easy tuning potential, but then I drove the Kona... Its suspension tuning is genuinely excellent, it manages to have fun handling and excellent ride quality, even on rough roads. The steering is a bit of a let do wn given how good the chassis dynamics are, but the chassis dynamics are surprisingly good. If it was available with a stick shift I’d be telling everyone to buy one, not just people shopping for small CUVs.

Wacko > DasWauto 11/30/2019 at 18:22

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That’s why I went with my forester instead of a crosstrek

The crosstrek should of at least had the 2.5 like the forester does.  The 30ish extra horses would help it a lot

But they need to make a wrx crosstrek. 

Cash Rewards > facw 11/30/2019 at 18:33

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Slow isn't even the issue. The Civic I bought instead isn't much faster ( I got the non turbo base model). But at least the engine in the Civic you can enjoy running up to high revs. Its rewarding. The Crosstrek I test drove just hated being driven

smobgirl > DasWauto 11/30/2019 at 19:21

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I’m going to second his review. Hell, the Kona  I drove was rental spec and it was a blast.

TheMadDaddy > bob and john 11/30/2019 at 20:55

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From what I've read it would make more sense to do a swap instead. The EE is not optimal for tuning. 

TheMadDaddy > facw 11/30/2019 at 20:58

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Former XV owner, can confirm. Had a 5 speed and it was a dog. Besides that and it's oil consumption it was a great little car till it got t-boned. Replaced it with a 6 speed 2.5 Forester. While I do miss the smaller size and features I do love the Forester's trans and power. That said I'd love to stuff an XT engine in there.

dumpsterfire! > DasWauto 11/30/2019 at 21:15

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When I took delivery of my Crosstrek I told the finance lady that I happily would have paid more for a crosstrek XT . I later read Subaru top management saying there were no plans to turbo the crosstrek since the anemic 2.0 NA version was selling so well as is. 

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 11/30/2019 at 21:42

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“no manual with AWD in any market”

No exactly true.

The Korean made SsangYong Korando can be had in Oz from January 2020   with a 6 speed manual gearbox rowing a 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine (120kW, 280 N m) ...and an AWD drivetrain. Base grade only. AU$27,000 drive away.  

It’s about an inch shorter than the Sportage by way of a size comparison.

Tom B > DasWauto 11/30/2019 at 22:08

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There is really no suitable alternative to the Crosstrek , usless it’s possibly a different Subaru model. And it must have the manuel transmission. This is assuming of course, that the vehicle is being purchased to be used in  the driving applications   it is designed for. 

Willis > smobgirl 12/01/2019 at 08:55

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The Kona is a car with a lift.  0 capability

InFierority Complex > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 12/01/2019 at 09:42

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I’m not seeing anything on the Korando being based on the Kona, though? Unless I’m misunderstanding him, and you, he’s not saying that no other cars come with both AWD and a manual, he’s saying that the Kona is not offered with AWD and a manual anywhere.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 12/01/2019 at 09:46

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The Korando may be about the same size, and live in the same market space as the Kona, but it's its own platform. The Kona is an adaptation of the new i30 platform, which helps explain its excellent chassis dynamics. It really is too bad Hyundai chose not to offer a manual with the AWD. 

NormGTO > DasWauto 12/01/2019 at 12:45

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“...70 percent of new Subaru vehicles are now the object of recalls or service campaigns within two years of being purchased, noting that the “permissible limit” should be around 10 percent.”  thetruthaboutcars

getootmyhouse > DasWauto 12/01/2019 at 12:45

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We bought a Crosstrek based on the criteria of 3 pedals + AWD + 5 seats. It *could* be a sporty car, but the FB20 is a wheezing econobox engine that can’t get out of it’s own way. At highway speeds, the engine drone is pretty terrible, pushing something like 3500 rpm at 70mph.

It should have been a 6 speed (which it was in some other markets, iirc) and should have been turbocharged or an H6.

DasWauto > getootmyhouse 12/01/2019 at 12:59

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The current model (2018+) is a 6 speed and I didn’t notice any drone at highway speeds. It’s a lot quieter all around than my WRX. They must have changed the gearing for the higher gears from the older 5-speed , i irc I  didn’t hit 3000rpm until closer to 80mph.

SlideshowOhNO - Fixit Union, Chapter of Kinja > getootmyhouse 12/01/2019 at 15:32

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They upgraded the transmission in 2016 to a very nicely-matched  6spd.

SlideshowOhNO - Fixit Union, Chapter of Kinja > DasWauto 12/01/2019 at 15:35

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Here here! I’ll see you at the bar. Bring the Pepto Bismol, and I’ll get the first roun d of pilsners.

I drove a CVT model and it wasn’t terrible, the first CVY ever that I didn’t mind. That said, manual is more fun and I yearn for a 6spd with the WRX motor... hell, at this point, I'd take it with a CVT, if it just had the power to match everything else it is capable of on a mountain road.

Shmevans > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 12/01/2019 at 16:09

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In Canada, we have the Crosstrek 6MT available all the way up to the second-from-top trim. Come on up and help yourself to some of our freedom.

Armymiles > Tom B 12/01/2019 at 16:18

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Have to disagree. The Kona Ultimate is the competition in a comparison. Although 2" closer to the ground, a far better engine with ample power in its class. Factor in the recall for engine and suspension the Crosstrek has, a savvy buyer can get an excellent deal along with an industry superior factory warranty buy moving to the Kona Ultimate AWD ....

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 12/01/2019 at 19:07

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Ah...I misunderstood you. I thought you were talking more broadly rather than just the Hyundai Group platform. 

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > InFierority Complex 12/01/2019 at 19:09

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Yeah...my mistake. I missed the subtleties of his statement!!

Vyoman > DasWauto 12/01/2019 at 19:28

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Subarus need XT version for all their line of vehicles. Or Subaru should move to provide minimum 250 hp or equivalent to compete in the next decade. Subaru will kick buckets when hybrids, fuel cells and plugins advance and consume market space.

I’m planning to move away from Subaru just for the oomph alone when needed it lacks. I don’t want to be  looking meek anymore. Goodbye Subaru.

The Ghost of Oppo > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 12/02/2019 at 09:34

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At least the auto Kona has a real transmission

rtc247 > bob and john 12/02/2019 at 09:39

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You don't want to mess with these motors. They don't take kindly to boost. 

rtc247 > TheMadDaddy 12/02/2019 at 09:40

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Yup. That’s the other way you can go. Buy a used crosstrek and wrx swap the entire drive train. I think there are a few examples rolling around.

I'd freaking love one. 

rtc247 > dumpsterfire! 12/02/2019 at 09:41

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Can’t really fault that logic though right? They can barely keep up with demand right now. Why mess with the formula?

I don’t like it... But it makes sense.

Fkinja321 > DasWauto 12/02/2019 at 11:15

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An xt or wrx spec crosstrek sounds fun, but a hard sell. If you look at Subaru sales figures, here’s 2018 https://www.best-selling-cars.com/brands/2018-full-year-usa-subaru-of-america-sales/

The wrx is Subaru’s lowest volume save the brz. The crosstrek on the other hand is 3rd highest and if you add the impreza, nearly 40% of Subaru sales are that body with either 6 or 9" clearance. In 2016 they dropped the hybrid (what I own) because making them took away from the volume of non hybrids that they couldn’t keep in stock. So I doubt you’ll see what you want as long as they can sell so many as they are.

I agree with the poster who said forester, they've had performance versions there for a long time. 

DasWauto > Fkinja321 12/02/2019 at 13:00

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I’d buy a Forester XT too, if that still existed. They haven’t built one on the new Forester yet. I can only hope they do bring that one back.