Subaru’s New Hybrid Crosstrek: More Rugged, More Efficient
▼ Summary
– Subaru provided travel arrangements for Ars to test the new Crosstrek, but Ars maintains editorial independence and does not accept paid content.
– The Crosstrek emphasizes rugged design and all-wheel drive over aerodynamics, aligning with customer expectations for all-weather capability and adventure appeal.
– The new hybrid variant significantly improves power, torque, and fuel efficiency, making it the most efficient Crosstrek to date.
– Aerodynamic improvements are minor and include wheel well vents and smoothed roof rail mounts, while reduced plastic cladding on hybrids is due to manufacturing for international markets, not aerodynamics.
– The hybrid powertrain shares with the Forester SUV and features an Atkinson cycle engine for better fuel efficiency, with motor-generators compensating for reduced power and maintaining mechanical all-wheel drive.
Subaru’s latest Crosstrek Hybrid blends rugged capability with newfound efficiency, delivering the brand’s signature all-weather confidence alongside a more powerful and fuel-sipping powertrain. While its boxy, adventure-ready silhouette remains unmistakable, this new generation introduces meaningful mechanical upgrades that elevate both performance and economy.
At first look, the Crosstrek’s design clearly favors toughness and character over sleek aerodynamics. Subaru’s top-selling model continues to offer all-wheel drive as standard, meeting buyer expectations for secure handling in any condition and supporting an active, outdoor-oriented image. Still, the new hybrid version marks a major step forward, boosting horsepower and torque while achieving the best fuel efficiency ever seen in a Crosstrek.
Aerodynamic tweaks for this generation are modest at best. Wheel well vents, for instance, help manage airflow around the side panels by cutting turbulence and pressure. Small refinements like the reshaped leading edges of the roof rail mounts also contribute slightly. Interestingly, the hybrid models actually feature less plastic cladding, something that might seem aimed at improving airflow, but the real reason stems from production. These hybrids are built in Japan for global markets, and only U.S. buyers tend to favor the bold, plastic-heavy trim.
Far more significant than any styling change is the Crosstrek’s adoption of a hybrid powertrain shared with the Forester SUV. Under the hood sits a familiar 2.5-liter horizontally opposed Boxer four-cylinder, but this version has been thoroughly reworked. Engineers applied updates across the cylinder head, engine block, camshaft, crank pulley, and fuel and intake systems. Most importantly, the engine now operates on an Atkinson cycle, which keeps intake valves open longer to reduce pumping losses during the compression stroke. This change sacrifices some peak power in exchange for substantially better fuel economy.
To make up for the drop in combustion-engine output, Subaru employs two motor-generators. Unlike many rival hybrid crossovers that use a simple electric motor at the rear axle, Subaru retains a fully mechanical all-wheel-drive system. The first motor-generator, MG1, takes the place of the traditional starter motor. Positioned at the front of the continuously variable transmission, it enables smoother engine stop-start operation and allows the gasoline engine to recharge the compact 1.1-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.
(Source: Ars Technica)
