2019 Subaru Crosstrek plug-in hybrid gives up a lot for a few miles per gallon
[MUSIC]
I'm actually a pretty big fan of Subaru's Crosstrek, having recommended the small but tall wagon-y crossover thing to a number of my friends.
But I don't think I'd recommend this one, the 2019 Super Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid specifically.
Stick around and I'll explain why.
[SOUND]
Now you can spot a Crosstrek hybrid in the wild by its charging port, plugging into a level two outlet for about two hours nets you about 17 miles of electric range before you switch to hybrid operation.
That's gonna charge an 8.8 kilowatt hour lithium ion battery pack underneath the cargo floor.
Or more specifically, protruding into the cargo space.
It costs you about five cubic feet of cargo space, which is a pretty significant amount.
Now you can leave the charging cable at home since it is a hybrid and you don't really need it on the road, but that still doesn't leave a whole lot of space underneath this flimsy cargo cover.
[MUSIC]
Now losing about 25% of your storage space for a battery pack is a pretty big ask for a class of car like this, that people typically buy for their spaciousness and utility.
But is the trade-off worth making?
Well, at the business end, the Crosstrek's hybrid system features a two liter boxer four cylinder engine.
That, along with an electric motor, makes about 148 horsepower.
That's a couple of ponies short of the non-hybrid, the 152.
But there is an additional torque that you get from the electric motor.
So, off the line this thing does feel a little bit more responsive.
However, once you get up to speed, it does feel a lot like the same Crosstrek that we've already known.
There's about 500 pounds of extra battery hanging out there, so you do feel that on the corners.
And once the battery pack is depleted, it does start to feel a little bit sluggish especially when you're headed up hills.
That's the trade off to performance that I don't know a lot of drivers are gonna wanna make.
[MUSIC]
For the trouble, the Crosstrek returns around 35 miles per gallon combined when operating in hybrid mode Which isn't that much more than the non hybrid but for those first 17 electic [UNKNOWN] you're looking at [UNKNOWN] which will help you pull that average up.
And I'm averaging around 36 miles per gallon with daily recharging which isn't great.
But if you drive less than I do and recharge more, well, your mileage may vary considerably
[MUSIC]
Other than the hybrid system and the compromises that come with it, this feels a lot like the same Cross Trek that we knew before, including the same safety checks, starting with the eyesight camera system which is standard and the [UNKNOWN] dashboard tech which we talk about in a separate video.
But there is one more compromise that We need to talk about.
[MUSIC]
Of course the final straw is the price.
You see a well-equipped non-hybrid Crosstrek tops out at around $29,000.
But this bad boy starts at 35.
That's a $6,000 price premium before options.
You're looking at a $39,000 car right here.
That's a bit ridiculous, when you consider it comes with a number of compromises, and only the potential, not not necessarily the promise, or better fuel economy.
[MUSIC]
Up Next
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor: This Big Bronco Is Here
Up Next
2022 Ford Bronco Raptor: This Big Bronco Is Here
2022 Ford F-150 Raptor Goes Big With 37-Inch Tires
2022 Ford F-150 Raptor Goes Big With 37-Inch Tires
2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Is a Sharp-Looking Swedish EV
2022 Volvo C40 Recharge Is a Sharp-Looking Swedish EV
EVs vs. Gas Engines: We Do the Math on Carbon Emissions
EVs vs. Gas Engines: We Do the Math on Carbon Emissions
2022 Yamaha XSR900 Breaks Away From the Cafe, and Onto the 1980s GP Grid
2022 Yamaha XSR900 Breaks Away From the Cafe, and Onto the 1980s GP Grid
2023 Nissan Z First Drive: A Hotter Performer With Newfound Tech Smarts
2023 Nissan Z First Drive: A Hotter Performer With Newfound Tech Smarts
Driving Porsche's Top-Secret Prototype Electric Race Car!
Driving Porsche's Top-Secret Prototype Electric Race Car!
Our First Look at the All-New 2023 Ranger Rover Sport
Our First Look at the All-New 2023 Ranger Rover Sport
2022 GMC Sierra AT4X: More Capable, Still Fancy
2022 GMC Sierra AT4X: More Capable, Still Fancy
This Dakar Rig From Audi Runs on Electricity and We Drove It
This Dakar Rig From Audi Runs on Electricity and We Drove It
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
What AirPods Rumors Tell Us About Apple's Health Ambitions
What AirPods Rumors Tell Us About Apple's Health Ambitions
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories One More Season
Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories One More Season
US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next
US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
What to Expect at Apple's May 7 iPad Event
What to Expect at Apple's May 7 iPad Event
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Latest How To All how to videos
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro