Motor Image Pilipinas (MIP), the official importers and distributors of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines, recently invited us for a leisurely drive to Clark to test out the all-new Subaru Crosstrek, the brand’s newest compact crossover that replaced the XV nameplate. It was the first time that MIP was hosting a drive with the Crosstrek since its soft launch in July.
“At Subaru, we believe that comfort isn’t limited to physical ease; it extends to the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re driving a vehicle that prioritizes safety and well-being,” said MIP’s newly installed country manager and auto industry veteran Karl Magsuci.
We were uncharacteristically late for this event and arrived just as everyone was taking off. It’s a good thing that the Crosstrek, being a Japanese car, felt familiar, despite the busy steering wheel and digital cluster typical of Subarus. Even without much orientation, we instinctively knew where the important buttons and levers were and what they did. This is with the exception of the Crosstrek’s huge touch screen, which needed getting used to as some functions were buried deep in the sub-menus. In the Crosstrek’s defense, though, once the devices were paired and the apps were set up, the system worked flawlessly.
From Subaru Manila Bay, we took the Skyway and headed north for a quick drive to Mimosa, in Clark, where a sumptuous lunch was waiting for us.
When asked what my first impression was of the Crosstrek, I honestly answered that it was comfortable to drive, it felt safe, and it was something I wouldn’t hesitate to drive my kids around in on a daily basis. A colleague who also has kids almost immediately agreed with me and added that he totally got where I was coming from. Everyone has their own biases when reviewing cars (or anything, for that matter), and where I am in my life right now, I like my vehicles comfortable (but not necessarily plush), safe, and roomy. While the Crosstrek is smaller than what I am used to or prefer, it does tick the other boxes with flying colors.
Is the Crosstrek the fastest compact crossover in town, as you would expect from a Subaru? No, it isn’t. Some would even say it was sluggish for a Subaru. However, for those who aren’t speed demons (anymore) and appreciate good driving dynamics, the Crosstrek’s acceleration is smooth, steady, and most importantly, predictable. Is it safe? It sure felt like it. For a small vehicle, it felt very planted on the highway, and for someone with notorious carsickness, I appreciated that body roll was minimal and the ride wasn’t that bouncy. The Crosstrek felt solid and well put together. Plus, it also comes with a laundry list of passive and active safety features that improve the driving experience and make it, well, safer.
Standard in the all-new Crosstrek is Subaru’s Enhanced EyeSight 4.0 Driver Assist Technology. This feature helps the driver detect obstacles and prevent potential collisions, not only within its own lane but in neighboring lanes as well. The technology is so advanced that it qualifies as Level 2 ADAS semi-autonomous driving.
The safety functions included in the latest version of Eyesight include: Lane Centering Function, Lane Departure Prevention, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Sway Warning, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lead Vehicle Start Alert, Pre-Collision Braking, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
The all-new Crosstrek is available in two trims, which are mechanically identical. Both are powered by a 2.0 gasoline-fed, direct fuel injection, 4-cylinder DOHC, 16-valve Boxer engine that produces 156PS at 6000rpm and 196Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. The mill is mated with a Lineartronic CVT with an 8-speed manual mode and paddle shifters. If I were in the market for a Crosstrek (read: money wasn’t a consideration), I could see myself getting the higher trim if only because I love the freedom that wireless Apple Carplay and charging bring, and not necessarily because of the moonroof, exclusive colors, better-looking mags, and other nice-to-have features that the higher trim has. We drove both variants and honestly, the base model isn’t shabby at all and totally fine if you don’t mind the cords.
Is it pretty, you ask? To be honest, it’s not particularly striking, but definitely not unpleasant to the eyes either. It looks efficient, if that’s even an appropriate adjective, and depending on the color, it can give off a youthful vibe or a mature air. The Crosstrek is available in ten colors, three of which—Oasis Blue, Offshore Blue Metallic, and Sun Blaze Pearl—are exclusive to the Crosstrek. The other colors include Sapphire Blue, Horizon Blue, Pure Red, Magnetite Grey, Crystal Black Silica, Crystal White Pearl, and Ice Silver Metallic.
If you’re seriously planning to get a Subie, then you’ve probably driven one and done your research. You know that you’re paying for the (engine and safety) technology, and for some, the engine growl and feel of driving a Subie. AND fuel economy isn’t your main consideration. On the brochure, it states that consumption is south of 8 km/l in real-world conditions, but we have yet to test it ourselves. But if you think about it, 8 km/l isn’t THAT bad, considering we’ve driven much more affordable subcompacts that get about the same mileage under ordinary circumstances.
The top-of-the-line Subaru Crosstrek i-S Eyesight is priced at Php 2,018,000, while the Crosstrek i-L Eyesight has an SRP of Php 1,998,000. Incidentally, until November 15, 2023. or while supplies last, MIP is offering the i-L variant for only Php 1,719,000—a whopping Php 280,000 slashed from the SRP.
The all-new Subaru Crosstrek is available at all Subaru dealerships nationwide and comes with a 5-year or 100,000 KM (whichever comes first) warranty.
