Subaru recently introduced its second Crosstrek PHEV hybrid before the end of 2020. Their first hybrid model was discontinued a few years ago. At the time, Subaru had decided to halt its hybrid production, since the sales numbers were disappointing. This was a result of both bad fuel economy and the vehicle’s high starting price.
Subaru automakers have decided to maintain Subaru’s classic off-road pedigree, but they’ve developed an upgrade to make it more efficient. You can now drive the Crosstrek PHEV as a normal hybrid, using both fuel and electric power. This helps to eliminate the range anxiety when consumers are driving on pure electric power. After all – who wants to find themselves stranded in the middle of their off-roading? Note that this Crosstrek hybrid is a series-parallel PHEV, and will use two motor generators.
If you’d like some more background on PHEVs, we have a number of other posts on them. You can start here with What is PHEV? For a more detailed guide to this vehicle type, read our PHEV Guide.
Let’s get back to the Crosstrek PHEV. Although it does seem novel to imagine an electric off-roader, the Crosstrek offers an irresistible package that is worth exploring. Similar to other Subaru cars, the Crosstrek is an all-wheel-drive, paired with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electrified plug-in-hybrid model that can run on electricity for up to 17 miles.
It’s not a surprise that Subaru automakers are embracing hybrid models. Their previous relationship with Toyota automakers have been a large influence on this major step. The two brands have collaborated in past projects such as Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86. The two cars have the same features, but use Subaru’s boxer engine and shared powertrains.
Here is a YouTube review of the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek PHEV:
Subaru PHEV Power train and efficiency
The Crosstrek PHEV has a 2.0-liter flat four-cylinder engine, a drive motor, a generator motor, and an 8.8 kW-hr lithium-ion battery. The battery stores energy and transmits it to the motors. It is large enough to accommodate the 17 miles of range on pure electric power.
Both motors are inside a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Besides charging the battery pack, the generator motor is also the starter motor for the flat-four.
The automakers estimate the total system power to be around 148 hp, which is 4 hp less than the conventional Crosstrek. Once depleted, the engine automatically takes over. When that happens, the CVT keeps the engine revving more than it would with a conventional transmission. Soon after, it introduces a humming noise into your already silent driving experience.
Note that the Crosstrek PHEV’s range can vary, especially if you’re using certain features like the infotainment, air conditioning, or heat. Keep a light foot on the throttle and you can get up to 65 miles per hour in electric-only mode.
A heavier foot and speeds higher than 65 mph will make the plug-in Crosstrek operate like a conventional hybrid. You can even pick and choose when to use your all-electric range. Simply engage the battery save mode that locks the Crosstrek Hybrid out of full-EV operation.
There’s also a battery charge mode you can use to charge the battery while driving. Over 60 to 90 minutes, charge mode will burn an extra gallon of fuel to fill the depleted battery to 80 percent or about 13 miles of EV range.
Once electricity runs out, the Crosstrek gets an estimated 35 mpg combined. This is a significant boost over the standard Crosstrek, which rates 27/33/25 mpg city/highway/combined.
Despite this boost to fuel economy, the hybrid’s overall range is almost identical to the standard Crosstrek. You get 480 miles in the former and 481 miles in the latter. This is due to the hybrid’s smaller gas tank, which is only about two-thirds the size of the standard version tank.
You can charge the Crosstrek Hybrid at home using the included charger, or anywhere with a standard outlet. When plugged into a 120V household outlet (Level 1), the Crosstrek Hybrid can charge a fully depleted battery in approximately five hours.
When using a 240V outlet (Level 2), a full charge only takes approximately two hours. Most commercial charging stations use the 240V charging capability, enabling faster charge times for your Crosstrek Hybrid.
Subaru PHEV Performance
So what’s it like to actually drive the Crosstrek Hybrid? Not surprisingly, the Subaru PHEV driving experience turns out to be quite pleasant, especially while using electricity. It’s wonderfully quiet, smooth, and comfortable, with a calm acceleration that keeps you relaxed as you go about your daily activities.
In addition, the hybrid ride quality is fantastic and makes it feel like a bigger, more sophisticated, more expensive automobile. Braking feel is excellent for a hybrid, meaning there’s no odd nonlinear electric feel to the brakes, simply a firm and progressive pedal.
The hybrid is significantly heavier than the standard Crosstrek due to all that extra electric gear, and that does manifest when you’re turning. It doesn’t have the lightness the standard Crosstrek does, but it’s still easy to maneuver through traffic and around town.
The standard model drives like a bigger, heavier car. You will probably feel its weight while navigating the corners. It also features all-weather capability and has just enough off-road ability to get you most places you might want to go. Besides all this, Subaru’s Crosstrek PHEV is amazingly inexpensive compared with the competition.
Your only disappointment might be with its speed. It is a bit slower than what you would expect from a Subaru. However, it’s reasonably efficient even with its standard flat-four-cylinder engine.
Subaru says the electric motors change the vehicle’s torque profile such that it subtracts a full second off its zero-to-60-mph sprint. The fact that the car manages to do this, despite being 600 pounds heavier than the standard Crosstrek, is amazing.
The Crosstrek hybrid functions similarly to other PHEV vehicles, but fails to include a push button to lock the gas engine out. This means that if it’s runnin when charged, it uses electricity first until that runs out, or until the driver requires more performance than the electric motors alone can handle.
However, this is offset by customized functions to maintain a certain battery charge level or even recharge it as you cruise around by running the gas engine continually.
Interior and Comfort
The Crosstrek hybrid offers an impressively spacious interior with up to 100.7 cubic feet of passenger volume. The compact SUV comes with a stylish but simple modern interior, with attractive navy and gray leather seats and blue stitching. There are standard heated front seats and even an available heated steering wheel that keep it comfortable and convenient.
In typical Subaru fashion, the Crosstrek has a basic and durable-feeling interior that prioritizes function over form. Its lack of flair is perfectly acceptable in the cheaper versions, but it does start to feel a bit drab in the Limited model, which can surpass $30,000 once you add in options.
Other than that, it shares most features such as spaciousness, visibility, and comfort with the other Crosstrek line. The backseat is a little disappointing and this is one place where its competitors have outdone this SUV. The large battery underneath the hybrid does affect the passenger seat. However, there is still room for five passengers.
Cargo
Cargo volume behind the backseat falls from 20.8 cubic feet in the standard car to 15.9 cubic feet in the Hybrid, and maximum cargo volume with the seats folded drops by 12.2 cubic feet to 43.1 total.
Folding the Crosstrek’s 60/40 split-folding rear seat expands the cargo hold considerably, but the folded seats don’t make for an entirely flat cargo floor. This reduces your capacity to load things, especially anything big and bulky. You’ll be be best off just transporting a couple of small roll-aboard cases in the Hybrid.
If you’re willing to sacrifice that all-wheel-drive capability in favor of greater cargo room, check out the Niro and Ioniq, which both offer more space. Alternatively, you can go with the Outlander, retain AWD capability, and get almost twice the cargo space behind the backseat.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Subaru’s StarLink infotainment system is organized, with plenty of standard connectivity features, and easy everyday navigateion. A 6.5-inch touchscreen is standard equipment and offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, along with the expected Bluetooth support and a USB port.
Wireless pairing and hands-free smartphone operations allow for a safe and easy connection to your favorite apps and content. You can access news, navigation, music, podcasts, and more through available apps. An 8-inch touchscreen is standard, while a built-in and voice-activated navigation system powered by TomTom® is also available.
Crosstrek Safety Features
Subaru has a reputation for safety excellence, and the 2020 Crosstrek is no exception. It features an entire suite of safety technologies to help protect you and your passengers.
The Crosstrek comes with a standard rearview camera. Available driver assistance features include blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert,and adaptive cruise control. There’s also automatic emergency braking, lane departure, and sway warning, lane keep assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and reverse automatic braking. Some of these features are part of Subaru’s Eyesight suite of active safety technology.
Eyesight monitors traffic movement, optimizes cruise control, and warns you when you’re swaying outside your lane. The automatic Pre-Collision Braking feature can apply full braking force and bring you to a complete stop in emergencies. Lane Keep Assist can even help you steer back into your lane. As always, Subaru designs vehicles with your safety in mind.
The Blind-Spot Detection system warns you with a visual indicator on each side mirror if it senses a vehicle in your blind spots. Rear Cross-Traffic Alert helps warn you of traffic approaching from the side as you are backing up. A standard Rear-Vision Camera enhances visibility when reversing. With available Reverse Automatic Braking, your vehicle can even stop itself to help avoid objects behind you.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this inside look at the 2020 Subaru Crosstrek PHEV. As a summary end note, here are a few of the Subaru hybrid FAQs:
Yes, Subaru makes Crosstek as a PHEV. 2020 Model of Crossktrek is avaiable as a All wheel Drive PHEV. None of the other Subaru models are of hybrid or PHEV variety.
Unfortunately, Subaru doesn’t make a hybrid Outback yet.