Today we're taking a look at the technology in the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek.
And let me just say that this thing is already streets ahead of the previous generation.
It's better in pretty much every measurable way.
Now, the Crosstrek comes standard with a 6-and-a-half inch Starlink Infotainment System.
But we've upgraded to the larger 8 inch unit.
Now the difference between those aside from the bigger screen is that the eight inch unit comes with navigation software powered by Tom Tom.
Now I ran into some slight learning curve issues with the interface, trying to figure out where things are, but it turns out this is a much simpler service than I gave it credit for.
It doesn't do all that much so there's not a lot Stuff.
Fortunately the maps are crisply rendered and the navigation's routes are easy to follow and pretty accurate.
Now if you're not a fan of the on board navigation, you've got a couple other options at your disposal.
Even if you're on the 6.5 inch unit.
There's a [UNKNOWN] map in the Android and Apple app stores that you can download to your smart phone that allows you to run navigation from your phone, but project the maps onto the screen for routing.
You've also got Android auto's Google Maps and Apple Car Plays Apple Maps at your disposal.
So that's three, pretty much three additional navigation options available.
So you provided you, bring your own software.
Now, in addition to bringing your own maps to the party, Star Link allows you to bring your media along the way as well.
We've got a full list of digital audio sources including USB, Bluetooth, we have a CD slot here, we've also got radio, that's just satellite radio and more.
In addition to a very rudimentary app integration system, we've got some of the usual suspects, Aha and Pandora here.
So, if you've got those apps on your phone and you connect your smartphone by Bluetooth, you gain control of those from the dashboard.
And that's to say nothing of the dozens of audio apps from Android Auto and Apple Car Play.
That allow you to do things like stream audiobooks, listen to podcasts, or bring your music along for the ride.
Now here's one of the coolest features that you'll probably only use once while you have this car.
There's an NFC chip embedded in the dashboard that allows you to quickly pair your smart phone without fiddling with a lot of menus on your device To gain access to it, just go into the phone menu and it will ask you if you want to pair device.
Say yes.
Then just bring your phone up and tap it to the dashboard, and after a couple of seconds, it will ask you to confirm And you'll be on your way.
There.
Confirm, and we're good to go.
It's really cool.
Now, just above the main screen is a smaller multi-information display.
That is unique to the top tiered limited model.
It allows you to, via steering wheel controls, jump through a bunch of different screens, showing things like weather, turn-by-turn navigation, the current media source and Fuel economy information, it's really cool to have.
Now a lot of that information is duplicated information that you can find in the main display, and in the instrument cluster, so I don't think I'd go out of my way to get this option specifically.
But it is nice to be able to have your fuel economy information here.
Your audio source up there and your navigation system there and not have to cycle through those all on the same screen.
Though for some drivers more screen is just more distraction so of course your mirage may vary.
So that's been a very quick but I think comprehensive.
Look at all the tech in the dashboard in the 2018 [UNKNOWN].
But there's an entire car wrapped around that dashboard so be sure to check out full review over on then roadshow.com.
They're even more detailed than driving a [UNKNOWN].
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