MANY SUVS LOOK like they are capable of driving off road but would actually struggle to pull themselves out of a muddy car park. Not the Subaru Crosstrek, though.
You see, like the XV that it replaces, the Crosstrek has the all-terrain tackle to properly fill its tough-looking trousers. All models come with permanent four-wheel drive as standard for maximum traction, along with a generous 220mm of ground clearance. You also get X-Mode – a driving mode that optimises traction over tricky surfaces at low speeds and which includes hill descent control. As a result, few family SUVs are as capable away from the beaten track.
But what if you want to stay on it? Well, every Crosstrek comes with a 2.0-litre mild hybrid petrol engine that produces 134bhp and a 0-62mph time of 10.8sec. On paper, that’s slower than the entry-level Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, and while the Crosstrek has enough power for everyday driving, its turbocharged rivals are much more responsive, particularly at lower speeds. Matters aren’t helped by the Crosstrek’s CVT automatic gearbox, which causes the engine revs to soar and remain high during acceleration until you ease off.