Subaru’s first hybrid in US to start at $25,995
03 October 2013
Subaru of America, Inc. has announced pricing on the carmaker’s first-ever production hybrid vehicle, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid, arriving in dealerships in late 2013. (Earlier post.) Starting at $25,995, the 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid is based on the XV Crosstrek crossover model and retains its all-terrain capability while providing better fuel efficiency and improved driving dynamics.
All XV Crosstrek Hybrids are equipped with 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder Boxer engine and Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Available in a standard trim and top-of-the-line Touring, models include a 13.4 hp/48 lb-ft (10 kW/65 N·m) electric drive motor integrated into the Lineartronic continuously variable transmission.
The 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid builds upon the utility and versatility of the gas model, while offering enhanced handling. The hybrid model uses the same Active Torque Split version of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as in the gasoline model. The system sends torque to the four wheels all the time and adjusts the torque distribution in response to acceleration, cornering and road conditions. The Hybrid also retains the 8.7-inch ground clearance and 4-wheel independent suspension of other XV Crosstrek models and adds special chassis tuning for more agile handling.
Since going on sale in September 2012, the non-hybrid XV Crosstek model has sold approximately 45,000 units, said Thomas J. Doll, president, and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. The Subaru brand overall is on track to achieve its fifth-consecutive year of sales increases and top 400,000 vehicle sales in the US market in 2013.
Subaru's are very popular in Calgary as many people here make 2-300 km day trips to the mountains for skiing in the winter, however, the improvement in fuel economy of this hybrid, particularly for mostly highway driving may not justify the premium.
For myself a FWD car like the VW Golf TDI with top end winter tires is a much better choice for that application if you want to save fuel.
Posted by: Calgarygary | 03 October 2013 at 08:24 AM
Or just own an old Subaru for the weekend trips (perhaps as part of a consortium of skiers, hobbyists and such) and have a hybrid or even an electric for daily driving.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 03 October 2013 at 11:23 AM