Urban hipsters and Portlanders, rejoice: Subaru is finally making a hybrid. It's called the XV Crosstrek Hybrid and it stands to be the most fuel-efficient, low-emission, all-wheel-drive hybrid crossover in the United States.
Unfortunately, Subaru didn't go with the design of the achingly attractive Hybrid Tourer Concept, instead opting to base its first hybrid on the XV Crosstrek that's been on sale in the states for the last year. But the gas-electric version loses none of its off-road prowess or interior functionality in the transformation to eco-friendliness. There's still 8.7 inches of ground clearance for traipsing up rutted macadam trails, symmetrical AWD with active torque splitting and the 13.5 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery mounted in the rear floor eats up a scant 0.7 cubic feet of interior space.
Subaru engineers stuck with the tried-and-true 2.0-liter boxer four found in the standard Crosstrek, but sandwiched a 13.4-horsepower electric motor between the engine and the continuously variable transmission. That allows the Crosstrek Hybrid to silently motor along on electric power at low speeds, and a new start-stop feature shuts down the boxer mill when sitting in traffic, further increasing fuel economy.
Other than de rigeur "hybrid" badges on the outside, some extra sound insulation and a new gauge cluster, the Crosstrek Hybrid is barely distinguishable from its standard sibling. And Subaru claims that the extra motor, battery and material only adds 300 pounds to the overall weight.
Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect a $2,000 to $4,000 premium over the standard model when it goes on sale this fall. Whether that's worth the minimal boost in fuel economy is up to you -- the Hybrid only manages 28 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway, compared to the gasoline-only model's 25/33.
