2018 Subaru Crosstrek Premium 2.0i Manual Transmission, Dark Gray Metallic

2018 Subaru Crosstrek Premium 2.0i Manual Transmission, Dark Gray Metallic

What's New: The Crosstrek is all new for 2018. It moves to Subaru’s Global Platform, which gives it a lower center of gravity and increased structural rigidity. It also gets an upgraded interior and an updated version of the 2.0L boxer motor, gaining direct injection and a miniscule bump in power output.

What's Hot:

• Capable AWD coupled with a segment-leading 8.7” of ground clearance give it legitimate offroad chops.
• Roomy, stylish cabin with intuitive controls and great outward visibility
• Safe, especially for its size, with IIHS Top Safety Pick rating and available EyeSight crash-avoidance tech.

What's Not:

• Sluggish acceleration, underpowered for its weight.
• So slow even a manual doesn’t save it.
• It’s missing a turbo.

Crosstrek fever is sweeping the nation. I’m barely exaggerating when I say that everyone I know wants one, and I can’t blame them: the appeal of a cheap, compact, fuel-sipping multipurpose vehicle with all-wheel drive and good ground clearance is tough to resist, whether you live at the end of a snowy gravel road or in the heart of a potholed and parking-starved city. It’s a no-brainer for the weekend warrior as well, with its scrappy go-anywhere attitude and versatile cargo capabilities. Driving its appeal is the perception that the Crosstrek is the cheapest way to get into an AWD. And although there are similarly-priced competitors, it’s definitely at least the cheapest way to get into an AWD that people have heard of—Subaru has done a fantastic job over the years at positioning itself top-of-mind anytime AWD-anything comes up. The Crosstrek has also been around for five years now, giving people plenty of time to build up a case of the gimmies for the cute-rugged, car-like crossover. And it enters 2018 as an all-new machine, evolutionary resembling its last-generation predecessor but packed with innovative new tech, greater structural rigidity, and a refined new motor. I went into my week with the Subaru Crosstrek expecting to be completely wowed. What I found instead was a cheerful, comfy little all-wheeler some great qualities—and one almost deal-breaking flaw.

2018 Subaru Crosstrek Premium 2.0i Manual Transmission, Dark Gray Metallic