Join the lifestyle move: Armstrongs Christchurch
The benefits of going hybrid for your daily transport these days couldn’t be more obvious. Ben Selby reports.
Having a petrol engine working in harmony with a battery pack only significantly lessens the trips you make to the pump, and also leaves a much smaller carbon footprint with each drive. Plus, conventional hybrids are exempt from the Governments Road User Charges for electric driven vehicles which puts another feather in their cap as a whole.
Subaru’s incorporation of hybrid technology comes together in the new Crosstrek Hybrid. I was fortunate enough to spend four days experiencing the new flagship hybrid premium of the Crosstrek family in a variety of disciplines thanks to Armstrongs Christchurch.
With a clean cut appearance, the Crosstrek has quite the striking stance. Inside, it is form and function with a good mix of durable feeling switchgear and quality materials. You have plenty of toys too like an 11.6-inch touch screen infotainment system, heated seats, wireless phone charging, satellite navigation and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. It’s probably also worth mentioning the Harman/Kardon sound system sounds epic too.
Subaru’s latest generation Eyesight Safety System gives you plenty of gear to keep your journey as safe as possible. While one could wax lyrical endlessly about each feature like the radar adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist which keeps you in your lane and prevents you from wandering, stuff like the 360-degree rear view camera and driver monitoring system are two features which really stand out.
The camera gives you a full panoramic view when reversing or parking and thanks to the cameras relaying your immediate surroundings via that sharp looking infotainment screen means you are fully aware of just where that shopping trolley is in relation to your new Subaru’s left rear door.
The driving monitoring system is also on hand to ensure your eyes stay firmly on the road ahead. If you are distracted for a certain period of time, the Crosstrek will remind you to look ahead. Some systems like this can be rather intense, with the driver only taking their eyes off the road for a fraction of second before the system cuts in, but the driver monitor set up in the Subaru does not suffer this problem, making it one of the most polished systems out there.
One thing that is also worth mentioning is the amount of space in here. Both front and rear passengers have plenty of room with excellent head and legroom. The leather seats also feel rather plush and offer good levels of support.
The boxer four-cylinder engine coupled with hybrid battery provides some meaty and strong acceleration. Be gentle with the throttle and you will seamlessly see-saw between hybrid and electric-only drive.
The Crosstrek also does first-rate job of drowning out outside noise, leaving you feeling cocooned in quiet ambience as you drive along.
Subaru has never downplayed their abilities to venture off the beaten track and it’s very much a case of business as usual with the Crosstrek Hybrid. Subaru’s X-Mode all terrain system has multiple driver modes for dirt, mud, snow and deep snow surfaces. This coupled with Subaru’s proven all-wheel-drive system means those trips, whether it’s traversing the steep snowy inclines of Mt Hutt or the muddy lanes of your friend’s lifestyle block’s paddock, are a doddle.
Whether you factor in price, equipment, or ability, the Subaru Crosstrek is certainly one of the most complete crossovers out there.
FACT FILE
2024 Subaru Crosstrek
Hybrid Premium
Engine: 2.0L boxer four cylinder petrol hybrid
Transmission: 7-speed SLT Auto
Power: 110kW
Torque: 196Nm
Combined Fuel Consumption: 6.5L/100km
CO2 Emissions: 147g/km
Drivetrain: All-wheel-drive
Ground Clearance: 220mm
Cargo Space: 315L (Rear Seat Up) 922L (Rear Seat Down)
