Tag Archives: 2014 Subaru
2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek: Taking Subaru legacy Further
In the automotive industry, the term crossover refers to a vehicle wherein the architectural design is inspired by the car instead of truck, but overall it offers SUV like functionality. Also, the crossover SUV segment is so vast that sometimes you will find SUVs which resemble the traditional crossover dynamics, while some might be burly SUVs, whereas there is this third kind of crossover SUVs like 2014 Subaru Crosstrek, which is essentially a wagon based vehicle with more toughened up suspension and styling.
To say the least, Subaru has been doing commendable job in crossover segment successfully for quite some time and has also created a Legacy for itself with its Outback series. Going by the same tradition, Subaru has come with a relatively new Crosstrek, which looks more like an Impreza hatchback with refined suspension and Subaru’s obligatory rugged styling accents. The all wheel drive of Crosstrek is as adept as you may want it because it has the potential to make your weekend fun filled with trailhead and can also take you the crumbling pavements during the weekdays.
As you would have expected, 2014 Subaru Crosstrek is offering all wheel driving feature as a standard in all trim levels, but you can have five speed manual CVT in XV Crosstrek as a n option. Its wheelbase is also 3 inches higher than the Impreza and comes with beefed up underpinnings. The 8.7 inches ground clearance and the availability of black plastic wheelwell flares is excellent for fending off and hiding scratches while driving on tough trails. The company has kept the interiors simple and the controls are also very straightforward, use of good quality material and comfortable seats is like icing on the cake.
The biggest news for this years’ XV Crosstrek is the introduction of its hybrid version, which is also Subaru’s first ever full hybrid vehicle. The new hybrid version has the ability to propel in low speed using electric power, which makes it highly fuel efficient even when driving through drive and go city traffic. However if you look at its overall fuel economy you will find 2014 Subaru Crosstrek only modest enough. The Subaru is pegging its hybrids combined fuel economy with the average of 31mpg, which is just 3 mpg above its non hybrid version. Going by its high price, you sure can have double thoughts about going for Crosstrek’s hybrid version, as it might not suit your pocket well.
If we take an overall look at Subaru XV Crosstrek for 2014 you will find it has some enhanced features like all wheel drive, improved off road ability and wagon like characteristics, which actually make it a rather distinctive kind of SUV for this class. If you look for options you will find that Nissan Juke is more fun driving experience but lacks cargo space as well as versatility. Other competitors for Subaru XV Crosstrek are 2014 Mini Cooper Countryman and 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, but still you will find Subaru to be a better all round package for those who love small crossovers.
2014 Subaru Forester: A not so gorgeous yet powerful SUV
So from the first look, there is hardly any chance that you will find the 2014 Subaru Forester stunning or even gorgeous, because the car is all about being wide, long and roomy, however this version of Subaru is a lot sleeker than its predecessors. For all those Subaru buyers here comes the good news, the base motor now comes with the all new crisp, six speed gearbox giving rest to the age old five speed version. The new CVT is more efficient than the automatic four speed transmission.
The newly launched turbocharged XT model of 2014 Subaru Forester comes with 250 hp engine which offers same fuel economy as the currently available 170hp 2.5X model. Its fast acceleration from 0 to 60 within 6.2 seconds makes it one of the fastest over among its competitors. The lovable 2.0 liter engine in the XT comes with direct injection feature.
The latest version of Subaru Forester is well planted, composed and is a quieter SUV that comes with a complete package if Subaru Forester features that a buyer looks for. The car is intercooled, has turbocharged monster engine, beefed suspension and amazing stouter brakes that makes it an all comfort drive during snowy stormy days. Well calibrated steering has electronic assistance feature that makes path adjustments simple and direct. Stiffer chassis and no hint of rattles make it a best car in class.
Over the years Subaru has proved its mantle over bringing subtle and smart changes in the detailing of their luxury vehicles and this continues with the latest Subaru Forester as well. Front doors come with no sill which means you will no more find dirt collecting place near front doors. Interiors are all stylish with panache of any banquet and this also the same place where Subaru lacks. No negative word for this SUV in terms of its driving quarter, comfortable seating position, telescoping steering wheel and the clearly reengineered structure, but the SUV still lacks sex appeal, which can easily be found in its competitors like Mazda CX 5, Kia Sorento and Ford Escape that comes at approximately same price.
In more than many metrics, the 2014 Subaru Forester is very well darned and is also one among many crossovers that can be taken to a muddy terrain without much thought. The 8.7 inch ground clearance keeps you safe until you end up bumping on some seriously tough road. Manual gearbox version is also available for the buyers, but the newly launched CVT with manual gearbox makes a less logical choice for obvious reasons and one among them is fuel economy.
Ample of rear legroom and overall improved cargo space as compared to Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV-4 makes it a comfortable and spacious option while buying a crossover. The driving dynamics of Forester being an engaging option is still arguable because of competition coming from Crossover leaders like Mazda and Ford but none of them offers Subaru’s ground clearance. Vanilla cockpit can certainly put the sale of Subaru Forester at the back burner.
The 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek
Crossovers are supposed to be a homogeneous blend of car-like styling and SUV-like utilities. Lord knows there have been such false crossovers which are either cars in their roots or bulky truck like SUVs. One of the either styling they carry, that is! But, Subaru has always been a brand with a fine hand at developing crossovers that have just the right amount of styling with equal amount of utility. The Outback lineup from the automaker is a perfect example of juts that. And then there is the comparatively new lineup Crosstrek! Every Crosstrek is basically a Subaru Impreza, which is a hatchback. To turn it into a fine crossover, the brand poured into the wagon, some hard-edged styling along with an enhanced suspension. The all wheel drive crossover is one of the most proficient vehicles in its niche. The 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek steps almost unchanged into the year besides a new addition to the lineup. The 2014 Crosstrek lineup would be welcoming a hybrid version of the vehicle. Other additions for the year include a smartphone integration system.
The five-seater comes in various trim levels. There is the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek 2.0i Premium for starters followed by the 2.0i Limited, and then there are the Hybrid and Hybrid Touring trims of the vehicle. The basic 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek is powered by a 2.0 liter four cylinder engine which readily produces 148 horses and 145pound feet of twist. This 2,0i Premium comes standard with a five speed manual transmission along with an all wheel drive system. While it comes as an available option on the Premium trim, the 2.0i Limited trim features a CVT as standard, which is also mated to an all wheel drive system, however, different from the AWD of the Premium. The newest to the lineup, the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid boasts a similar engine mated to a CVT along with an all wheel drive, and, clubs it all with an electric motor which adds another 13 ponies and 48 pound feet to the original numbers. A regular 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek, featuring a CVT, accelerates to 60 mph from rest in a sprint time of 9.9 seconds. On par with the performance of the new Outlander Sport and lesser than that of the 2014 Nissan Juke, the numbers do fine for the 2014 Crosstrek.
On the inside, the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek is a sophisticated little vehicle with understated yet chic designing. The presentation of the dials and gauges on the dashboard are kept simple and elegant, adding to the simplistic overall styling of the interiors. However, the infotainment system and sound system in the crossover are amazingly depressing.
The fuel economy of the 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek is pretty impressive. However, the transmission that yields to the same, sadly also yields to delayed responses as well as noise. The crossover faces quite some competition with models like the Juke, the Outlander Sport and the Mini Cooper Countryman, but the Crosstrek stands as a fine vehicle in its segment.