By Nigel Evans
Subaru championed all-wheel drive traction way before it became fashionable across the board, and people looking for some real all-wheel drive legitimacy with solid engineering and daily driver comfort often look back into Subaru territory for some used car inspiration.
When they do, they may come across a first-generation Subaru Crosstrek, which is a great lifted hatchback which borders on crossover territory, and it’s now selling for attainable money. This one first came out for the 2013 model year and is a bit of a spin on the Impreza formula, featuring the company’s trademark symmetrical all-wheel drive system and plenty of outdoorsy attitude for compact car money.
The First Gen Crosstrek Is An AWD Sweet Spot
| 2013 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Premium Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0-liter flat-four Boxer |
| Transmission | Five-speed manual or Lineartronic CVT |
| Drivetrain | Symmetrical AWD |
| Power | 148 hp |
| Torque | 145 lb.-ft |
Subaru’s Crosstrek features a 2.0-liter flat-four boxer engine linked to a solid AWD system with good SUV-style ground clearance. Subaru believed that it was the most fuel-efficient AWD crossover utility in the country when it first appeared and quoted EPA figures of 25 MPG city, 33 MPG highway, and 28 MPG combined to back that up. This first-generation vehicle has 8.7 in of ground clearance, which is a lot more than many larger crossovers today and even some bigger SUVs. And this makes it very capable of handling the dirtiest of dirt roads, while its relatively compact dimensions mean that it’s pretty good downtown as well. You’re getting a good slice of Impreza practicality but with some better ride height and lots of rugged cladding to protect you in the wild.
Today, you may be able to find a 2013 XV Crosstrek Premium for somewhere in the mid-$9,000 range. For this cash, you’ll be getting a lot of capability for used compact car pricing with that high clearance and always-on AWD. You’ll be hitting some modern-day crossover notes too, and getting some good safety chops for your limited expenditure.
Powertrain, Fuel Economy, And Hardware That Matters
Subaru sold this Crosstrek between 2013 and 2017, and each version uses a horizontally opposed boxer engine, turning out 148 hp and 145 lb.-ft of torque. You could choose either a five-speed manual transmission or a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission, depending on the trim and the year. Each vehicle sends its power to all four wheels through the company’s Symmetrical AWD system. And as mentioned, fuel economy is relatively impressive for a vehicle like this, with 28 mpg combined if you choose the CVT. Manual transmissions may be slightly lower but undoubtedly competitive among AWD compact crossovers.
The AWD system also features a longitudinally mounted powertrain and full-time AWD layout, which is certainly different to competitor systems which may favor on-demand AWD and a front bias. And as the Crosstrek has a relatively short overhang and comparable ground clearance to some Jeep Cherokee configurations, it can be very responsive and useful over forestry roads or snowy passes while still being easy to park in your favorite multistory. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the 2013 Crosstrek its Top Safety Pick+ with good findings in key areas like moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength evaluation. And for those who want winter-ready traction but worry about safety just as much, that can be very reassuring.
Trim Levels And Key Features
When you’re shopping for Crosstreks from the earlier years of its generation, you’ll discover Premium and Limited as the two primary trims. The Premium trim has features like 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, heated fronts, and a height-adjustable driver’s seat as standard, with the five-speed manual transmission pre-packaged and an optional CVT. If you wanted the Limited, you’ll get the CVT as standard but would also enjoy leather upholstery, automatic climate control, and a rearview camera. The base models also had Bluetooth connectivity, and those all-important heated seats were either standard or available. This made the Crosstrek especially appealing for those who lived in the snowy north, where you’d often need both AWD and seat heaters on a typical January morning.
During the second half of this model’s run, Subaru also offered the 2.0i Premium and Limited, but it dropped the XV tag from the end of the vehicle’s name. All trims still retained standard all-wheel drive and an 8.7-inch ground clearance, but you could now get additional features in the upper trims with upgraded infotainment and improved driver assistance tech.
Sources: Subaru, Kelley Blue Book, IIHS,
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
