Subaru Canada gave Canadians a sneak peak at the company's XV Crosstrek with an unofficial North-American debut at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto last February. The car's official North-American launch occurred at the New York auto show in April.
Now confirming that the new CUV will go on sale here this fall, the company says it will be the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive crossover utility vehicle offered in North America, with official fuel-consumption ratings of 8.2 L/100 km city / 6.0 L/100 km highway / 7.2 L/100 km combined (model with CVT).
Those figures are comparable to the ratings for many front-wheel-drive competitors, Subaru says.
The XV Crosstrek's relationship to the Subaru Impreza is similar to that of the Outback to the Legacy; it is, in effect, a taller wagon variant of that vehicle with increased ground clearance.
It will compete in the compact CUV segment, which is one of the fastest-growing market segments in the country. It has all the right credentials, including Subaru's symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive, 220 mm of ground clearance, 17-inch alloy wheels and ample room for passengers and cargo.
All Crosstreks are powered by a 148-horsepower 2.0-litre boxer engine, teamed with a five-speed manual transmission or an available second-generation Lineartronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
Both the standard 5-speed manual transmission and the CVT – which includes a six-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters – include the Subaru Hill Holder system, which will briefly hold the vehicle while the driver pulls away from a stop on a hill.
Body and chassis features include black side- and wheel-arch cladding, rocker spoiler and roof rails, which provide a contrast to the body colour. Front and rear bumpers and front grille are unique to the Subaru XV Crosstrek and dark-tint privacy glass is standard.