We're getting 41.3 mpg after 1,650 miles in a Crosstrek PHEV we bought about a month ago. The first 1,100 miles we got 36 mpg, without charging the battery, on a road trip across the Cascades and mountains of Eastern Oregon. Now that we've been able to plug it in at home our mileage has increased significantly to the aforementioned 41.3 mpg, and we've gone as far as 21.2 miles of all electric driving on a full charge. Reduced cargo space is definitely a compromise, but with the rear seats folded down it holds all the gear and luggage the two of us take on road trips. Don't have any issues with the CVT, we actually like how smooth it accelerates and rubberbanding seems to be pretty minimal. So far we're really liking everything about this car.
"...70 percent of new Subaru vehicles are now the object of recalls or service campaigns within two years of being purchased, noting that the “permissible limit” should be around 10 percent." www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2019/06/report-outlines-how-subaru-is-coping-with-quality-control-issues/ .
The main (but unstated) selling feature of the plug in and all electric vehicles is that they will qualify in many states for a sticker to drive as a solo person in the carpool lane. This can save someone an hour or more in commuting each way. In England plug in hybrids qualify to be exempt from congestion charges in big cities. Most drivers of them never even plug them in.
In the Toyota Lexus electric all-wheel drive system, when the batteries are depleted the gasoline engine acts as a generator to provide electricity to the rear electric motor. So the AWD still works even when the batteries are depleted .
That Subaru hybrid system just like last time is built by Toyota, at least the electric part. Subaru however detuned its 2.0-liter flat-four (its engine) to only 137 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 134 lb ft at 4400 rpm, although combined horsepower is 148, just four shy of the regular model. As CR correctly reports, it is Subaru's AWD system and not Toyota's so all four wheels are always powered, unlike Toyota's.
I have a Camry with 416 K miles on it. I think the problem is that the guy is taking the car into the dealership. The timing belt and water pump should come together as a kid and be changed at the same time but the dealership is ripping him off by charging him all a cart. That car will outlive him if he finds a better mechanic
Ravi should try a different shop for his Camry. Brake lines, engine mounts, struts, etc. at 130k? No. That car has either had a VERY hard life, or he's being sold repairs he doesn't need.
To the guy in Vancouver who wants a Kei car, there are a number of used ones being imported to Canada through the 15 year rule, if you can handle right hand drive. If you can't find what you're looking for that's already been imported, or you're not sure where to start, there are a number of brokers who can import a car for you. Many Japanese cars have relatively low mileage, so even though they're 15 years old, may only have 60,000 KMs or less, which if they were well taken care of is similar to about a 3 year old used car here.
The Buick Envision 2.0T is putting down a faster 27.5s figure-8 time vs 2019 CX-5 2.5T and 2019 RDX 2.0T at 27.7 in Motor Trend testing. That continues in an Emergency Lane test by Consumer Reports that has the Envision 2.0T doing 55.5 mph while the CX-5(non-turbo) did 54 mph and the RDX 2.0T can only go 52.5 mph. For 2019 Envision 2.0T gets a new 9-speed and 295 lb-ft of torque, 316 lb-ft of torque on overboost. The twin clutch and torque vectoring AWD is something that Mazda cannot match only able to use brakes on a single on a wheel for torque vectoring. The Hiperstrut, as also seen on Honda Civic Type-R as dual axis strut, eliminates any torque steer under accleration. At a discounted $35K the Envision Prem ll offers heads up display, adaptive high beams and articulating HID, adaptive cruise control with full stopping, tri-zone climate control, sliding rear seat, 12-volt outlet, along with Buick's longer warranty than Mazda.
I had a 2007 Toyota Camry with 4 cylinders. This car is the lemon of Camry. Starts to have suspension problems soon as it passed the warranty period, then brake problems followed. Then these front end issues repeats within 10,000 miles. I can't stand it and finally trade it it at year 5 with 54,000 miles on it. when the third iterations of problems starts to shown..
I bought a new CX-5, Signature in December and this pod cast and everything I've seen and my own experience with it reafirms my choice. It cost about $3,000 more than I was hoping for but it is the equal or better of cars costing up to $10,000 more. Mazda deserves higher sales.
I would have to agree with the initial impressions that the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid doesn't seem to make a ton of sense. It seems half-baked in that the hybrid features don't seem well integrated. I wonder why Subaru didn't turn to their corporate cousin at Toyota for hybrid technology. If Subaru had came out with a Crosstrek Hybrid that drove smooth and didn't have the space compromises in the cargo area, and was efficient, I think it would do better. Perhaps Subaru should have done a hybrid version of the Forester or the Outback, which has more room for all of the hybrid gear and a higher price point to begin with to absorb the costs?
The product manager of the Crosstrek does not get the point why people are moving to EVs. This is just another compliance vehicle. Especially when they could not learn from the last failed hybrid attempt. It's such a unique advantage with the all-time and all-wheel drive system plus the plug-in feature that subaru had to offer. It's stunning the distance they went to screw this up.
Seems to be this fixation on destroying the advantage of a CVT (always having the engine at the perfect RPM for economy or acceleration) by having the CVT fake gears.
I know i hate these fools so much. As someone who has ridden a few japanese scooters, traditional CVTs work extremely well after an adjustment period of an hour or two to get used to the dynamics.
I too just purchased this Subaru Crosstrek plug-in hybrid and absolutely love the car. I know you haven't fully tested it yet however there are a few things I wanted to comment on about your first impressions of this vehicle. The electric motor whine you mention as being loud or noisy. I have owned 5 EV's this being my 6th and don't think this electric motor whine is any louder or more noticeable than the others. EV whine is a new sound that is new to us all and of course it stands out but no louder than an internal combustion engine. As far as engine revs up and down that is with all of the hybrids that use an electric motor as a generator. My 2012 and 2016 Chevy Volt did this, my friends Honda Clarity does this so there should be no disadvantage of the Crosstrek Hybrid doing it. You mention the rated 35 mpg as being lower than others but are you comparing it to other AWD vehicles with a driveshaft running to the rear wheels? Conventional 2WD drivetrains are almost always better on MPG than AWD vehicles. Comparing hybrid vehicles with AWD a vehicle with a driveshaft running to the rear is going to get less MPG than a hybrid AWD with the rear axle controlled by its own electric motor which will get better MPG. The compromise there is do you want the much better torque of a driveshaft to the rear wheels or do you want an electric motor driving them? So in comparing the 35 MPG of the Subaru hybrid compare it to another hybrid with a driveshaft and MPG will be about the same. As far as another compromise you mention the rear storage space being less than the non-hybrid because of the battery pack. That is more of a personal preference I believe than it is a disadvantage of the vehicle. I never use the rear storage in mine except for groceries so it is no compromise for me. But I could see how it would be for a family that does a lot of traveling. So I think when giving this vehicle a fair review I think it's important to compare it to vehicles that offer the same drivetrain components. I believe the compromises in this vehicle are based on our personal preferences more than any fault of the vehicle. Please keep us posted on your assessment as you further evaluate this vehicle.
If you have a short commute in snow county the Crosstrek Plugin starts to make sense. I liked my test drive and with a 5 mile commute each way with AWD for ski trips and camping and $4500 tax credit plus $1500 for my state, it starts to be an interesting value proposition.
Near the middle of the video I felt like I was at a Stapp Car Crash conference or similar SAE event, and was pleasantly surprised. I am frequently impressed by the breadth of knowledge the hosts display. Looking forward to next week where Jake & Jen show how to integrate Madymo with ANSYS.
Yep, the battery isn't up there to clear the rear diff, there's room for a spare tire between the pack and the rear diff. They just didn't engineer a new floor pan to accommodate the battery because why bother :(
@@StefanBacon With this knowledge in hand, that seems even more disgusting to me! 😂 Jeez, better to have built new global platform ground-up with space for battery under rear seats (even if conventional versus plug-in) if it meant not sacrificing cargo area
The raised rear deck on the Subaru Crosstrek plug in hybrid is similar to the discontinued C-Max raised deck to accommodate the battery, although the C-Max didn't have AWD to get in the way.
Related to the question about restraining loads in a sedan.. the seat belts can be used either in the child seat restrain mode or not.. and if the object is large with rough edges a towel or rag can be put between the belt and item to protect the seat belt from fraying
Back in Germany I had a Seat Arosa that had 50 horsepower and I drove 100 miles per hour on the German autobahn without any issues. High horsepower cars is a very American thing.
Looks like the Crosstrek Hybrid is a somewhat better effort than the previous iteration - but that really isn't saying much (dealer's commentary was hilarious). And I sure hope it can do better than 35 mpg in real-world driving, since with a light foot a bare-bones Impreza can do the same. Oh, and Keith's vocabulary is brilliant!
My gen 2 Audi Q5 had an optional cargo divider that could hook to the cargo floor or the front of the second row seat as it was folded. It was very strong (and very expensive) but having it was great peace of mind. Mostly used it to keep the dogs where they belong but it got me thinking about the safety issue of cargo in SUVs. I haven't really seen anything similar in any other vehicle nor does Audi even still make it.
*2010 Forester owner* I am astounded NOT ONE engineer designing this gen of Crosstrek (on the new global platform) said "The battery impeding the cargo area in the plug-in Ford C-Max was a pain in the ass. Let's NOT do that!" (Better to have had a conventional hybrid option with battery under rear seats)
I drove a PHEV Mitsubishi Outlander over a year ago, but waited patiently for this Crosstrek. I'm somewhat disappointed. You get a lot more value from the Outlander (and a better warranty). And the non-flat floor with rear seat down makes car-camping a problem (one of the main reasons I want an AWD PHEV with good ground clearance is the opportunity to car-camp with the potential for air conditioning without the engine running on hot summer nights). I'd still prefer a Subaru to a Mitsubishi in general, but it's hard to pony up the cash for this when I know base but still nicely-equipped PHEV SEL Outlanders will be available ~23k after incentives and fed rebate (with a 10yr warranty) at Mitsubishi's hugely-discounted end-of-year sales. So with this slightly disappointing value, I'm now thinking I'll either get the Outlander then, or hold out a bit longer to see the PHEV Wrangler. No doubt that will also be a terrible value, but it also probably has me most excited. If I do end up going with this Crosstrek, Subaru will be in year 2 and hopefully have a flat floor and incentives available that make it a better value.
Subaru should have used the Chevy Volt concept -- electric car with a gas generator. But they are partly owned by Toyota, they have to get the parts from the boss.
Jennifer's advocacy for rear seat protection is spot on. I'd say the 3rd row seating needs to be addressed too, where the only system protecting the 3rd row (small kids) are the side curtain airbags. There's no rear "crumple zone", & there have been news reports here in crowed California where the 3rd row occupants were killed due to rear end collisions.
There's even Kei car campers. Obviously space is limited. But they have features like a pop-up roof and such. And they even have a small area with a sink for "cooking". But I think the only thing you could prepare are instant ramen noodle cups and dried squid. LOL.
While new cars are great, we need a used EV buyers guide too. Lots of great deals to be had, but we need education on which kind of thermal management each has, is there a heat pump, which cars show least battery degradation in real world data, pros & cons, charging speeds efficiency & range ranked, cargo space ranked & which offer the best transferable warranty ranked.
My guess is the Camry needs to go to a independent honest mechanic. Dealerships are out to extract every dollar out of your pocket on stuff the manufacture doesn't require or they are making up issues. Why they recommend you replace your oil every 3,000 miles or your brake pads at 50% is beyond me. I have a 2000 Camry with none of those issues and its extremely reliable.
Love talking cars, why wouldn't we want electric cars to take advantage of areas where they maybe superior to ICE cars. Different packaging, lower cowl height, reduced frontal area, lower drag. Also, many people actually prefer one pedal driving (brake regen on lifting accelerator) as opposed to having to go back and forth from accelerator to brake pedal.
I can't help noticing that when you talk about Mazdas you always hit on the same notes. The fact that they're fun to drive, they look good and they have lots of neat creature comforts. You never talk about their reliability though. Our family has owned two Mazda's over the last few decades: An 80-something MX6 and a 2007 CX-7. Neither one held up long term. The CX-7 required an engine replacement. A rebuilt V6 engine for a CX-7 cost well over 3 grand which exceeds the blue book value of the vehicle. Not to mention the peeling paint and leaky headlights. I tend to judge car companies on how many of their 10 to 20-year-old vehicles I see on the road. I see plenty of old Honda's and Toyotas. Not so many Mazdas. Why do you think that is?
Martin Smith that v6 wasn’t a Mazda engine it’s actually from ford and strangely enough I’ve heard it’s one of their most reliable engines they’ve ever built I’ve seen some with over 400000 km still running great
That is a very well observed summation. My 88 Mercury Tracer aka Mazda 323 could not hold a candle to my 05 Pontiac Vibe aka Toyota Corolla/Matrix. Mazdas are above average but nowhere near the top in long term reliability. CR's own data demonstrates that fact.
This was a fun episode. Don't know if I learned anything new, but thoroughly enjoyed the banter and obvious chemistry. Also, that angry kitty-cat CVT impersonation by Keith was priceless. Thank you for that:-).
but can you use your clarity in winter Colorado or offroad?? if you live in those conditions and your work is less than 20 miles away from home, maybe this is perfect for you.
Subaru has other problems right now... "...70 percent of new Subaru vehicles are now the object of recalls or service campaigns within two years of being purchased, noting that the “permissible limit” should be around 10 percent." www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2019/06/report-outlines-how-subaru-is-coping-with-quality-control-issues/
Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be much of a benefit choosing the Crosstrek hybrid. They are using the Toyota Prius electric battery which is a proven excellent hybrid system. You get less space, drone sound and rubber band effect in this Hybrid. Whereas Subaru's regular Crosstrek has more space, no drone or rubber band effect and really mimics the gear ratios really well. Plus the gas mileage is still excellent in the regular Crosstrek at 29 mpg combined 33 highway. It looks like this newer version of the Crosstrek is better than the previous attempt they had. Although they have a way to go before making this a viable option as there are too many compromises on this newer Hybrid. Good but not good enough. Even though your still getting the same AWD system benefits.
You guys have clip on mics on these people, so you should ditch the distracting desk mics. Showing elaborate mics like this for podcasts is a silly cliche -- the clip-on mics (which all three have in this video) give sound that's 99.5-percent as good and they are far less distracting. FWIW, I'm both a video guy and a car guy.
You guys most not ever look at European cars sold in Europe . A lot of the cars in Europe have 60 PS . The ford fiesta in Europe is mostly sold with 60 PS , Even a VW UP base model has 60 PS . Many cars in Europe have under 100 HP . In Europe a Car with over 130 HP is a Big motor .
Why aren't more extended-range electric vehicles being made like the BMW i3 REv and Chevy Volt? Nissan has Nissan Note e-power but it is only available in Japan. Will the Nissan e-power vehicles be available in USA?
Love to hear your thoughts on the new 2020 Mercedes Benz GLE. I’m sure you will all have issues with the infotainment system (pretty much a given). Anything more complex than the most basic and idiot proof systems are beyond the comprehension of these editors. More interested in the overall drive, handling, ride, etc. Maybe on next week’s episode?
that Camry could have had an undisclosed issue like an accident. don't know enough about that cars history to say anything definite. although struts and mounts and alternator and timing belts and water pumps are all maintenance items
you seriously think its time to buy a new car every time your car calls for scheduled maintenance . not one of you guys said fix it all cars need maintained.......
Call me a crazy audio engineer, but why are your side addressed microphones pointed directly at your chest and the end of the microphone pointing at your mic your mouth? Your video production team thinks those microphones are like Radio broadcast mics that point at your mouth, but they are mistaken.
Crosstrek is dangerously slow in all guises. Merging and oassing cars is nerve wracking at best. Not asking for a speed demon but rather a car that can atleast get out of its own way For Question number 6, definetly go CX5 or RDX in my opinion, unless you are leasing. German lease deals cannot be beat Finally great childseat info!
I'll choose the Mazda CX-5 as well. I've driven it and it's a really nice vehicle to drive, even in base form. Don't get me wrong, the BMW X3 is nice too, but maintainence is way more expensive than the Mazda and not as reliable.
In base form I would choose the Mazda. If I were leasing and my choice was the 38k Mazda or the BMW, it would be the BMW hands down, not even a question.
Praising “fake shifts”, Really??? Hybrids work differently, hybrids sound different, get over it! Next you’ll praise fake motor sounds coming from the radio! 😂 Consumer reports you’re losing it, wake up before you become irrelevant.
In the 1980s Chrysler produced models on their corporately designated “K” chassis known as K cars. The most noteworthy were the first to enter the market; The Dodge Aires and Plymouth Reliant, however stretched versions of the chassis also served as the platform for larger models. The platform also served in platform for Chrysler minivans.
I have a 5 speed mirage with 74 horsepower and it weighs a lot more than any kei car at 1950lb and a trunk full of 300lbs of tools. Americans are sissies if they are afaid to drive an underpowered car.
Make it a diesel... keep the hp relatively the same, boost the torque and it will increase efficiency. Diesel is only 20% more expensive than regular gasoline and diesels are typically very efficient and relatively long lasting. Subarus in Europe are diesels, so why not the US?
Shawn Warnick, the rest of us want to live healthier and move toward a more sustainable future. Forget about burning the limited amount dinosaur oil. Move forward, not backward.
A PHEV with 17 miles EV range is just pathetic. PHEVs should be EVs with a motorgenerator and at least 50-100 miles electric range, not ICE cars with a small battery.
How do I take-serious someone’s opinion, who wants a car that mimics “operational signs” of a car that is antiquated? Ie a nice silent electric car that makes gas engine noises thru its speakers, Ie a vehicle that has a smooth transmission, but is altered to “have a slight hiccup” to mimic the gear shifting in a conventional transmission... I want to listen to a progressive thinker, not a person with a mind stuck on “old ways”
What a joke!! BMW is superior in too many ways to count over a Mazda. A Mazda is known by many to be a poor man’s BMW. Not equal, but similar in some ways, mostly in in sporty character. But it doesn’t in any way shape or form drive anything like a BMW. Rear wheel drive, 50/50 weight distribution, superior handling, etc. This entire segment of recommending a car a class below for only $3,000 less was absolutely ridiculous! It has the underpinnings of $25k basic car with some bells and whistles that now make it touch Luxury car prices and that’s a good thing?!? Is Mazda paying off their mortgages?
The English in these videos make them unlistenable. It seems as though 25-30% of the talking is meaningless fill words. Um, ya know, I mean, kinda, kinda like. Perhaps they wanted to sound casual and unrehearsed. Instead they sound as if they had given zero thought to what they would say. Instead of unrehearsed, they sound unintelligent, unskilled and incapable. Consumer reports, if you are going to make videos, find people who can utter a sentence without multiple stumbles.
We're getting 41.3 mpg after 1,650 miles in a Crosstrek PHEV we bought about a month ago. The first 1,100 miles we got 36 mpg, without charging the battery, on a road trip across the Cascades and mountains of Eastern Oregon. Now that we've been able to plug it in at home our mileage has increased significantly to the aforementioned 41.3 mpg, and we've gone as far as 21.2 miles of all electric driving on a full charge. Reduced cargo space is definitely a compromise, but with the rear seats folded down it holds all the gear and luggage the two of us take on road trips. Don't have any issues with the CVT, we actually like how smooth it accelerates and rubberbanding seems to be pretty minimal. So far we're really liking everything about this car.
Nice! Those look better than my Mirage numbers (5mt) keeping in mind that i always send it.
"...70 percent of new Subaru vehicles are now the object of recalls or service campaigns within two years of being purchased, noting that the “permissible limit” should be around 10 percent."
www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2019/06/report-outlines-how-subaru-is-coping-with-quality-control-issues/
.
The main (but unstated) selling feature of the plug in and all electric vehicles is that they will qualify in many states for a sticker to drive as a solo person in the carpool lane. This can save someone an hour or more in commuting each way.
In England plug in hybrids qualify to be exempt from congestion charges in big cities. Most drivers of them never even plug them in.
In the Toyota Lexus electric all-wheel drive system, when the batteries are depleted the
gasoline engine acts as a generator to provide electricity to the rear electric motor. So the AWD still works even when the batteries are depleted .
That Subaru hybrid system just like last time is built by Toyota, at least the electric part. Subaru however detuned its 2.0-liter flat-four (its engine) to only 137 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 134 lb ft at 4400 rpm, although combined horsepower is 148, just four shy of the regular model. As CR correctly reports, it is Subaru's AWD system and not Toyota's so all four wheels are always powered, unlike Toyota's.
I have a Camry with 416 K miles on it. I think the problem is that the guy is taking the car into the dealership. The timing belt and water pump should come together as a kid and be changed at the same time but the dealership is ripping him off by charging him all a cart. That car will outlive him if he finds a better mechanic
The 2007 Camry V6 does not have a timing belt nor does the 4 cylinder. They both came with timing chains.
Ravi should try a different shop for his Camry. Brake lines, engine mounts, struts, etc. at 130k? No. That car has either had a VERY hard life, or he's being sold repairs he doesn't need.
To the guy in Vancouver who wants a Kei car, there are a number of used ones being imported to Canada through the 15 year rule, if you can handle right hand drive. If you can't find what you're looking for that's already been imported, or you're not sure where to start, there are a number of brokers who can import a car for you. Many Japanese cars have relatively low mileage, so even though they're 15 years old, may only have 60,000 KMs or less, which if they were well taken care of is similar to about a 3 year old used car here.
One correction about the CX-5....it was stated it had 227 hp with the turbo 4. That is on regular fuel. It has 250 hp on premium.
Gregory Wills and I bet the X3 requires premium...
The Buick Envision 2.0T is putting down a faster 27.5s figure-8 time vs 2019 CX-5 2.5T and 2019 RDX 2.0T at 27.7 in Motor Trend testing. That continues in an Emergency Lane test by Consumer Reports that has the Envision 2.0T doing 55.5 mph while the CX-5(non-turbo) did 54 mph and the RDX 2.0T can only go 52.5 mph.
For 2019 Envision 2.0T gets a new 9-speed and 295 lb-ft of torque, 316 lb-ft of torque on overboost. The twin clutch and torque vectoring AWD is something that Mazda cannot match only able to use brakes on a single on a wheel for torque vectoring. The Hiperstrut, as also seen on Honda Civic Type-R as dual axis strut, eliminates any torque steer under accleration. At a discounted $35K the Envision Prem ll offers heads up display, adaptive high beams and articulating HID, adaptive cruise control with full stopping, tri-zone climate control, sliding rear seat, 12-volt outlet, along with Buick's longer warranty than Mazda.
False shifts are ridiculous. The engine should run at its optimal rpm for how the vehicle is being driven.
CVTs are ridiculous.
@@945nico ok boomer
I had a 2007 Toyota Camry with 4 cylinders. This car is the lemon of Camry. Starts to have suspension problems soon as it passed the warranty period, then brake problems followed. Then these front end issues repeats within 10,000 miles. I can't stand it and finally trade it it at year 5 with 54,000 miles on it. when the third iterations of problems starts to shown..
I bought a new CX-5, Signature in December and this pod cast and everything I've seen and my own experience with it reafirms my choice. It cost about $3,000 more than I was hoping for but it is the equal or better of cars costing up to $10,000 more. Mazda deserves higher sales.
I would have to agree with the initial impressions that the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid doesn't seem to make a ton of sense. It seems half-baked in that the hybrid features don't seem well integrated. I wonder why Subaru didn't turn to their corporate cousin at Toyota for hybrid technology. If Subaru had came out with a Crosstrek Hybrid that drove smooth and didn't have the space compromises in the cargo area, and was efficient, I think it would do better. Perhaps Subaru should have done a hybrid version of the Forester or the Outback, which has more room for all of the hybrid gear and a higher price point to begin with to absorb the costs?
The product manager of the Crosstrek does not get the point why people are moving to EVs. This is just another compliance vehicle. Especially when they could not learn from the last failed hybrid attempt.
It's such a unique advantage with the all-time and all-wheel drive system plus the plug-in feature that subaru had to offer. It's stunning the distance they went to screw this up.
Seems to be this fixation on destroying the advantage of a CVT (always having the engine at the perfect RPM for economy or acceleration) by having the CVT fake gears.
I know i hate these fools so much. As someone who has ridden a few japanese scooters, traditional CVTs work extremely well after an adjustment period of an hour or two to get used to the dynamics.
I too just purchased this Subaru Crosstrek plug-in hybrid and absolutely love the car. I know you haven't fully tested it yet however there are a few things I wanted to comment on about your first impressions of this vehicle. The electric motor whine you mention as being loud or noisy. I have owned 5 EV's this being my 6th and don't think this electric motor whine is any louder or more noticeable than the others. EV whine is a new sound that is new to us all and of course it stands out but no louder than an internal combustion engine. As far as engine revs up and down that is with all of the hybrids that use an electric motor as a generator. My 2012 and 2016 Chevy Volt did this, my friends Honda Clarity does this so there should be no disadvantage of the Crosstrek Hybrid doing it. You mention the rated 35 mpg as being lower than others but are you comparing it to other AWD vehicles with a driveshaft running to the rear wheels? Conventional 2WD drivetrains are almost always better on MPG than AWD vehicles. Comparing hybrid vehicles with AWD a vehicle with a driveshaft running to the rear is going to get less MPG than a hybrid AWD with the rear axle controlled by its own electric motor which will get better MPG. The compromise there is do you want the much better torque of a driveshaft to the rear wheels or do you want an electric motor driving them? So in comparing the 35 MPG of the Subaru hybrid compare it to another hybrid with a driveshaft and MPG will be about the same. As far as another compromise you mention the rear storage space being less than the non-hybrid because of the battery pack. That is more of a personal preference I believe than it is a disadvantage of the vehicle. I never use the rear storage in mine except for groceries so it is no compromise for me. But I could see how it would be for a family that does a lot of traveling. So I think when giving this vehicle a fair review I think it's important to compare it to vehicles that offer the same drivetrain components. I believe the compromises in this vehicle are based on our personal preferences more than any fault of the vehicle. Please keep us posted on your assessment as you further evaluate this vehicle.
William from Vancouver, Just get a Prius c while they are still available.
If you have a short commute in snow county the Crosstrek Plugin starts to make sense. I liked my test drive and with a 5 mile commute each way with AWD for ski trips and camping and $4500 tax credit plus $1500 for my state, it starts to be an interesting value proposition.
"Sunk cost fallacy and ship of Theseus problem ! Brilliant
Ravi from Dallas, The 2007 Camry V6 does NOT have a timing belt, something suspicious is going on here.
Right Lane Hog 07 Camry’s burn oil
Near the middle of the video I felt like I was at a Stapp Car Crash conference or similar SAE event, and was pleasantly surprised. I am frequently impressed by the breadth of knowledge the hosts display. Looking forward to next week where Jake & Jen show how to integrate Madymo with ANSYS.
The Crosstrek Hybrid is a CARB Compliance Vehicle.
Yep, the battery isn't up there to clear the rear diff, there's room for a spare tire between the pack and the rear diff. They just didn't engineer a new floor pan to accommodate the battery because why bother :(
@@StefanBacon With this knowledge in hand, that seems even more disgusting to me! 😂 Jeez, better to have built new global platform ground-up with space for battery under rear seats (even if conventional versus plug-in) if it meant not sacrificing cargo area
@@mgjmiller1995 but because this is a true AWD system, that under rear seats space must be serving other purposes
The raised rear deck on the Subaru Crosstrek plug in hybrid is similar to the discontinued C-Max raised deck to accommodate the battery, although the C-Max didn't have AWD to get in the way.
The AWD (rear diff) isn't in the way. Subaru just didn't re-engineer the floor pan to lower the battery into the (empty) spare tire well.
Related to the question about restraining loads in a sedan.. the seat belts can be used either in the child seat restrain mode or not.. and if the object is large with rough edges a towel or rag can be put between the belt and item to protect the seat belt from fraying
Back in Germany I had a Seat Arosa that had 50 horsepower and I drove 100 miles per hour on the German autobahn without any issues. High horsepower cars is a very American thing.
Honestly I do not believe a car with only 50 hp could reach 100 mph, 100 km per hour will be more reasonable.
The 1st gen xB sold very well in the US, and they're about the same size as those KEI cars
My 2018 crosstrek gets 37mpg on average in warmer weather and 33mpg in the winter.
Looks like the Crosstrek Hybrid is a somewhat better effort than the previous iteration - but that really isn't saying much (dealer's commentary was hilarious). And I sure hope it can do better than 35 mpg in real-world driving, since with a light foot a bare-bones Impreza can do the same.
Oh, and Keith's vocabulary is brilliant!
I would never, ever buy a used BMW. They are toast after their initial 3 of 4 year lease.
I agree, unless of course you purchase an extended service/warranty through BMW. They offer that on CPO’s.
My gen 2 Audi Q5 had an optional cargo divider that could hook to the cargo floor or the front of the second row seat as it was folded. It was very strong (and very expensive) but having it was great peace of mind. Mostly used it to keep the dogs where they belong but it got me thinking about the safety issue of cargo in SUVs. I haven't really seen anything similar in any other vehicle nor does Audi even still make it.
*2010 Forester owner* I am astounded NOT ONE engineer designing this gen of Crosstrek (on the new global platform) said "The battery impeding the cargo area in the plug-in Ford C-Max was a pain in the ass. Let's NOT do that!" (Better to have had a conventional hybrid option with battery under rear seats)
I drove a PHEV Mitsubishi Outlander over a year ago, but waited patiently for this Crosstrek. I'm somewhat disappointed. You get a lot more value from the Outlander (and a better warranty). And the non-flat floor with rear seat down makes car-camping a problem (one of the main reasons I want an AWD PHEV with good ground clearance is the opportunity to car-camp with the potential for air conditioning without the engine running on hot summer nights). I'd still prefer a Subaru to a Mitsubishi in general, but it's hard to pony up the cash for this when I know base but still nicely-equipped PHEV SEL Outlanders will be available ~23k after incentives and fed rebate (with a 10yr warranty) at Mitsubishi's hugely-discounted end-of-year sales. So with this slightly disappointing value, I'm now thinking I'll either get the Outlander then, or hold out a bit longer to see the PHEV Wrangler. No doubt that will also be a terrible value, but it also probably has me most excited. If I do end up going with this Crosstrek, Subaru will be in year 2 and hopefully have a flat floor and incentives available that make it a better value.
Subaru should have used the Chevy Volt concept -- electric car with a gas generator.
But they are partly owned by Toyota, they have to get the parts from the boss.
Chevy/GM not partly owned by Toyota. They had a partnership to sell re-badged Toyotas (Prizm, Vibe) but that ended ten years ago.
And they wanted a real AWD system
The plug in Hybrid Crosstrek does use an electric motor as a generator.
Jennifer's advocacy for rear seat protection is spot on. I'd say the 3rd row seating needs to be addressed too, where the only system protecting the 3rd row (small kids) are the side curtain airbags. There's no rear "crumple zone", & there have been news reports here in crowed California where the 3rd row occupants were killed due to rear end collisions.
There's even Kei car campers. Obviously space is limited. But they have features like a pop-up roof and such. And they even have a small area with a sink for "cooking". But I think the only thing you could prepare are instant ramen noodle cups and dried squid. LOL.
That guy with the camry is getting so ripped off with maintenance, I’d bet the car didn’t need any of that stuff.
While new cars are great, we need a used EV buyers guide too. Lots of great deals to be had, but we need education on which kind of thermal management each has, is there a heat pump, which cars show least battery degradation in real world data, pros & cons, charging speeds efficiency & range ranked, cargo space ranked & which offer the best transferable warranty ranked.
My guess is the Camry needs to go to a independent honest mechanic. Dealerships are out to extract every dollar out of your pocket on stuff the manufacture doesn't require or they are making up issues. Why they recommend you replace your oil every 3,000 miles or your brake pads at 50% is beyond me. I have a 2000 Camry with none of those issues and its extremely reliable.
I would also have added buying a Mazda CX-5 vs BMW X3, CX-5 uses regular vs X3 using premium gas. Saving money there too.
A 25k version I can understand. A 37k version, that’s a hard NO!
CX5 IS A LOT SMALLER THAN THE Q5. I WOULD BUY THE Q5 USED IN TIME 2 TO 3 YEARS WHEN THE PRICE IS RIGHT.AUDI SCORES VERY HIGH IN YOUR REPORTS.
Love talking cars, why wouldn't we want electric cars to take advantage of areas where they maybe superior to ICE cars. Different packaging, lower cowl height, reduced frontal area, lower drag. Also, many people actually prefer one pedal driving (brake regen on lifting accelerator) as opposed to having to go back and forth from accelerator to brake pedal.
Keith, I love your input and the "big words" you use. You're getting flak for it a lot recently, but don't stop!
I can't help noticing that when you talk about Mazdas you always hit on the same notes. The fact that they're fun to drive, they look good and they have lots of neat creature comforts. You never talk about their reliability though. Our family has owned two Mazda's over the last few decades: An 80-something MX6 and a 2007 CX-7. Neither one held up long term. The CX-7 required an engine replacement. A rebuilt V6 engine for a CX-7 cost well over 3 grand which exceeds the blue book value of the vehicle. Not to mention the peeling paint and leaky headlights. I tend to judge car companies on how many of their 10 to 20-year-old vehicles I see on the road. I see plenty of old Honda's and Toyotas. Not so many Mazdas. Why do you think that is?
Martin Smith that v6 wasn’t a Mazda engine it’s actually from ford and strangely enough I’ve heard it’s one of their most reliable engines they’ve ever built I’ve seen some with over 400000 km still running great
That is a very well observed summation. My 88 Mercury Tracer aka Mazda 323 could not hold a candle to my 05 Pontiac Vibe aka Toyota Corolla/Matrix. Mazdas are above average but nowhere near the top in long term reliability. CR's own data demonstrates that fact.
Big thumbs up! Love the safety talk. Briefcase banter makes me smile. Love seeing and hearing the personality shine through.
This was a fun episode. Don't know if I learned anything new, but thoroughly enjoyed the banter and obvious chemistry. Also, that angry kitty-cat CVT impersonation by Keith was priceless. Thank you for that:-).
“Good reason to go traveling.” Had be rolling.
17 miles on the battery.?....the Honda Clairty gets 59....and you can charge the battery off the engine when driving. (Yes I own a Clarity).
but can you use your clarity in winter Colorado or offroad?? if you live in those conditions and your work is less than 20 miles away from home, maybe this is perfect for you.
“Just remember, Subaru isn’t known for it’s HYBRIDS” LOL I laughed so hard.
man, I love my Subaru, but they're really behind in the hybrid/electric race.
Subaru has other problems right now...
"...70 percent of new Subaru vehicles are now the object of recalls or service campaigns within two years of being purchased, noting that the “permissible limit” should be around 10 percent."
www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2019/06/report-outlines-how-subaru-is-coping-with-quality-control-issues/
Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be much of a benefit choosing the Crosstrek hybrid. They are using the Toyota Prius electric battery which is a proven excellent hybrid system. You get less space, drone sound and rubber band effect in this Hybrid. Whereas Subaru's regular Crosstrek has more space, no drone or rubber band effect and really mimics the gear ratios really well. Plus the gas mileage is still excellent in the regular Crosstrek at 29 mpg combined 33 highway. It looks like this newer version of the Crosstrek is better than the previous attempt they had. Although they have a way to go before making this a viable option as there are too many compromises on this newer Hybrid. Good but not good enough. Even though your still getting the same AWD system benefits.
Why mimic gear ratios when you can get a Crosstek with a 6 speed manual.?
Crosstrek is a nice vehicle ! Subaru is not known for hybrid/phev and they don’t work well.
You guys have clip on mics on these people, so you should ditch the distracting desk mics. Showing elaborate mics like this for podcasts is a silly cliche -- the clip-on mics (which all three have in this video) give sound that's 99.5-percent as good and they are far less distracting.
FWIW, I'm both a video guy and a car guy.
You guys most not ever look at European cars sold in Europe . A lot of the cars in Europe have 60 PS . The ford fiesta in Europe is mostly sold with 60 PS , Even a VW UP base model has 60 PS . Many cars in Europe have under 100 HP . In Europe a Car with over 130 HP is a Big motor .
I like the Crosstrek a lot, but that battery installation above an empty spare tire well. They didn't put many engineering hours into the packaging.
64 hp is normal for the UK. Many cars like the Ford fiesta have similar hp.
Why aren't more extended-range electric vehicles being made like the BMW i3 REv and Chevy Volt? Nissan has Nissan Note e-power but it is only available in Japan. Will the Nissan e-power vehicles be available in USA?
ya, put that prius offroad in the Colorado Winter, not the same.
Love to hear your thoughts on the new 2020 Mercedes Benz GLE. I’m sure you will all have issues with the infotainment system (pretty much a given). Anything more complex than the most basic and idiot proof systems are beyond the comprehension of these editors. More interested in the overall drive, handling, ride, etc. Maybe on next week’s episode?
Best combination of hosts, imo.
I really wanted this car but I agree with everything you’ve said
I love you guys...the best car show ever!!! I have seen every show !!
For the person who has the 2007 Camry...was it in a serious wreck or flood damaged?
Great video. I'd watch at twice as long.
Great episode team... 😎👍
How much is the electricity for a full charge?
“Good reason to travel!”
Hilarious
that Camry could have had an undisclosed issue like an accident. don't know enough about that cars history to say anything definite. although struts and mounts and alternator and timing belts and water pumps are all maintenance items
All the Mitsubishi PHEV gives up is the third row seat. Just sayin'
The closest thing to a Kei Car in the US is Kia Soul.
wow, cr not totally pining over subaru, well you know what guys there still maybe hope for you yet.
you seriously think its time to buy a new car every time your car calls for scheduled maintenance .
not one of you guys said fix it all cars need maintained.......
2 words for this group of ppl "ok boommer"
"Just remember, Subaru's not really known for their hybrids." Buy a RAV4 LE Hybrid and save yourself the sluggish Subaru compromises.
By all means, treat yourself to the deafening noise of the new RAV4.
Call me a crazy audio engineer, but why are your side addressed microphones pointed directly at your chest and the end of the microphone pointing at your mic your mouth? Your video production team thinks those microphones are like Radio broadcast mics that point at your mouth, but they are mistaken.
Crosstrek is dangerously slow in all guises. Merging and oassing cars is nerve wracking at best. Not asking for a speed demon but rather a car that can atleast get out of its own way
For Question number 6, definetly go CX5 or RDX in my opinion, unless you are leasing. German lease deals cannot be beat
Finally great childseat info!
I'll choose the Mazda CX-5 as well. I've driven it and it's a really nice vehicle to drive, even in base form. Don't get me wrong, the BMW X3 is nice too, but maintainence is way more expensive than the Mazda and not as reliable.
In base form I would choose the Mazda. If I were leasing and my choice was the 38k Mazda or the BMW, it would be the BMW hands down, not even a question.
Praising “fake shifts”, Really??? Hybrids work differently, hybrids sound different, get over it! Next you’ll praise fake motor sounds coming from the radio! 😂 Consumer reports you’re losing it, wake up before you become irrelevant.
Agree totally (and I drive stick) play to the strengths of the transmission. No one is watching for their opinions though, only for the test data.
17 miles on AER. That sucks
Didn't Chrysler make Kei cars?
In the 1980s Chrysler produced models on their corporately designated “K” chassis known as K cars. The most noteworthy were the first to enter the market; The Dodge Aires and Plymouth Reliant, however stretched versions of the chassis also served as the platform for larger models. The platform also served in platform for Chrysler minivans.
Yeah, face it, Ravi. You fucked up. You trusted us. Oh well.
6:13 lmao
I have a 5 speed mirage with 74 horsepower and it weighs a lot more than any kei car at 1950lb and a trunk full of 300lbs of tools. Americans are sissies if they are afaid to drive an underpowered car.
Subaru just doesnt get Hybrids...
Ok boommer
Make it a diesel... keep the hp relatively the same, boost the torque and it will increase efficiency. Diesel is only 20% more expensive than regular gasoline and diesels are typically very efficient and relatively long lasting. Subarus in Europe are diesels, so why not the US?
Shawn Warnick, the rest of us want to live healthier and move toward a more sustainable future. Forget about burning the limited amount dinosaur oil. Move forward, not backward.
A PHEV with 17 miles EV range is just pathetic. PHEVs should be EVs with a motorgenerator and at least 50-100 miles electric range, not ICE cars with a small battery.
Luxury cars nickle and dime you on otherwise standard features. If you cant get the top trip dont even bother.
How do I take-serious someone’s opinion, who wants a car that mimics “operational signs” of a car that is antiquated? Ie a nice silent electric car that makes gas engine noises thru its speakers, Ie a vehicle that has a smooth transmission, but is altered to “have a slight hiccup” to mimic the gear shifting in a conventional transmission...
I want to listen to a progressive thinker, not a person with a mind stuck on “old ways”
Mazda cx5 is way better, the reason for considering the BMW,its the badge.
What a joke!! BMW is superior in too many ways to count over a Mazda. A Mazda is known by many to be a poor man’s BMW. Not equal, but similar in some ways, mostly in in sporty character. But it doesn’t in any way shape or form drive anything like a BMW. Rear wheel drive, 50/50 weight distribution, superior handling, etc. This entire segment of recommending a car a class below for only $3,000 less was absolutely ridiculous! It has the underpinnings of $25k basic car with some bells and whistles that now make it touch Luxury car prices and that’s a good thing?!? Is Mazda paying off their mortgages?
Loose Keith!
Thank goodness, no Mike Quincy - the worst automotive journalist!
The English in these videos make them unlistenable. It seems as though 25-30% of the talking is meaningless fill words. Um, ya know, I mean, kinda, kinda like. Perhaps they wanted to sound casual and unrehearsed. Instead they sound as if they had given zero thought to what they would say. Instead of unrehearsed, they sound unintelligent, unskilled and incapable.
Consumer reports, if you are going to make videos, find people who can utter a sentence without multiple stumbles.