Subaru Dropped The 'XV' From Its 2016 Crosstrek Because You Did Anyway

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

If an “XV” drops off a rear liftgate in the woods of Colorado, Oregon or New England and no one is around to hear it, does it still make a sound?

Even if you’re in a bright blue 2016 Subaru Crosstrek, apparently not. Last month, Subaru announced it’s slightly different Crosstrek — complete with new front bumper, grille and headlights — and many people didn’t notice the XV is now gone. The car gets the same Series.HyperBlue treatment as the BRZ and WRX et al., and blind-spot detection.

(Oh, and you can probably still get a screaming deal on a Hybrid Crosstrek.)

Despite not having the XV name anymore, the Crosstrek still sports 8.7 inches of ground clearance and enough room for a handful of Bernie Sanders posters.

The same 2-liter, 148-horsepower boxer four lives under the hood and is married to a five-speed manual or continuously variable automatic transmission.

Fact: 148 horsepower isn’t a lot.

Also fact: 148 horsepower moved 1,500 pounds of gear over 11,000 feet.

Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

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  • Runs_on_h8raide Runs_on_h8raide on Nov 20, 2015

    I love Crosstreks....sold a ton of 'em. Crosstreks, Outbacks, and Foresters...love 'em all. I especially love me some Hybrid Crosstreks with a little extra cheddar thrown in from Subaru.

  • Seabrjim Seabrjim on Nov 20, 2015

    I'm 5 foot 7. The seat was worlds better than the Corolla seat.The throttle tip in is noticeable though. Our doesnt burn oil fortunately. Still, I mix the recommended 0w20 with 5w30 50/50. The manufacturers have gotten nuts with oil weight trying to gain the last 1/2 horsepower.

    • 05lgt 05lgt on Nov 21, 2015

      Heh, I recently replied to a service writer who was recomending a very low viscosity "No thanks, my intercooler doesn't squeak."

  • B-BodyBuick84 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport of course, a 7 seater, 2.4 turbo-diesel I4 BOF SUV with Super-Select 4WD, centre and rear locking diffs standard of course.
  • Corey Lewis Think how dated this 80s design was by 1995!
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  • MRF 95 T-Bird Daihatsu Copen- A fun Kei sized roadster. Equipped with a 660cc three, a five speed manual and a retractable roof it’s all you need. Subaru Levorg wagon-because not everyone needs a lifted Outback.
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