THE all-new Subaru Crosstrek made its Philippine debut mid-this year as a replacement for the XV.
Two variants are available in the local market—the 2.0i-L and 2.0i-S. Recently, Motor Image Philippines, the official distributor of Subaru vehicles in the country, hosted a drive event for select members of the motoring media.
It was a straightforward drive to Clark, Pampanga, without any arranged route, instead precisely the fastest way anyone would take from the Aseana area. Staged at the Subaru Manila Bay dealership, the convoy took the entire Skyway stretch to Balintawak and NLEX.
Compact and rugged
At a glance, the all-new Crosstrek exudes ruggedness and on-the-go guise. The two variants are differentiated mainly on exterior trims. The 2.0i-L received a black gloss-finished grille accent and side view mirrors. On the other hand, the top-spec 2.0i-S sports a chrome accent on the grille with dark silver side mirrors and roof rails. As for the wheels, the 2.0i-L has black 17-inch alloy wheels, while the 2.0i-S rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels.
Moreover, both variants have LED headlights and daytime running lights (with auto high-beam). However, the 2.0i-S received a steering responsive system and LED cornering lights. Of course, the flat black body claddings give that rugged look.
Inside is a standard tablet-like 11.6-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connection function. USB Type A and Type C connections are also available, with the 2.0i-S having an extra rear USB Type C. As for seats, the 2.0i-L has fabric material, while the 2.0i-S has the more premium leather material with a 10-way power adjustment (driver’s seat).
It may be the smallest in the Subaru lineup, but the interior boasts space where it is needed most, like the large cargo area door opening with plenty of room to offer. Even better, the 60/40 folding rear seats can further expand the cargo space to load sizeable items.
Motivation comes from an all-motor FB20 2.0-liter Boxer 4 generating 156 horsepower and 196 N-m maximum torque. It is mated to a Lineartronic CVT driving all four wheels. With these figures, Subaru claims that zero to 100 km/h sprint is achieved at 10.5 seconds with a top speed of 198 km/h.
All-wheel driving with enhanced EyeSight
Behind the wheel, the Crosstek, regardless of variant, can quickly achieve cruising speeds thanks to its small frame. Despite the absence of a boost, the all-motor engine has more than enough power to drive all wheels whenever needed. However, since the entire run was primarily straight and dry, it was an easy task for the vehicle’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system. Speed increments were a walk in the park, and everything was smooth and steady.
But what stole the scene was the Crosstek’s EyeSight Advanced Driver Assist Technology. Equipped with the new Subaru EyeSight 4.0, this enhanced version added a monocular lens to the existing setup for a broader detection field. With Autonomous Emergency Steering, improved Pre-Collision Braking prevents frontal collisions under 80km/h by swerving the vehicle safely to the side, within its lane. Pre-Collision Braking brings the car to a complete stop if needed to avoid collisions, now improved with a wider field of vision to cover more traffic scenarios at intersections.
While traversing the long stretches of Skyway Stage 3 going to Balintawak and NLEX, the Adaptive Cruise Control became beneficial as the improved function automatically followed the vehicle in front at a safe distance, making the long drive more convenient. Another function tested was the Lane Centering Function, that assisted in keeping the vehicle in the center of the lane. Last was the Lane Departure Prevention, which automatically nudges the vehicle back into the lane when it sways out when traveling above 60km/h.
The entire drive became more comfortable and safer, going to Clark and back to Manila. It shows that the Crosstek is not just any other rugged subcompact crossover but is also equipped with reliable and advanced driver-assist safety features that help prevent collisions.
Other safety features are Subaru EyeSight 4.0 w/ Wide Angle Monocular Camera, High-Beam Assist, seven SRS Airbags, ABS with EBD, Active Torque Vectoring, Vehicle Dynamics Control System, Electric Brake Booster, Electronic Parking Brake w/ Auto Hold, X-Mode w/ Hill Descent Control & Auto Restore (2.0i-L); Dual-Function X-Mode w/ Hill Descent Control & Auto Restore (2.0i-S), Rear View Camera, and Rear Automatic Braking.
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino