The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek

The Subaru XV Crosstrek was introduced in concept form as a lifted version of the 5-door Impreza Sport (wagon) so in many ways, the XV Crosstrek is nearly identical to the Impreza. However, where the Impreza Sport offers more of a sporty, low slung posture – the XV Crosstrek sits quite a bit higher so it is ideal for those buyers who spend some time on the road less traveled…and less paved. The XV sits about 4 inches higher than the Impreza and with almost all of that coming by means of suspension and chassis modifications, all of that height is reflected in the ground clearance of this sporty 5-door. Also, the increased height of the XV offers a higher driving position, similar to what you would get with a small crossover but it does this without facing the downsides (like poor fuel economy) that come with many crossovers or small SUVs.

My 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek test vehicle was a 2.0I Premium trimline vehicle with no added options and a price of $22,790 including the $795 destination fee. This test car is literally as base as it gets for the XV Crosstrek lineup but you wouldn’t guess that after spending some time behind the wheel on the road and off.

Across the front end, the XV Crosstrek wears a very similar headlight, hood and grille design to the Impreza. This includes sharp, angular headlights, a similarly angular grille and a hood line that comes down into the auto LED bulbs to provide for an angry look across the face of this sporty wagon. Where the XV differs from the Impreza is in the lower front fascia, where the lower grille opening flows into a blacked out chin spoiler rather than the body colored chin of the Impreza. This change helps to further the high riding feel of the XV as the dark lower trim tricks the eye into seeing a vehicle that sits a little higher than is actually the case. Also, while both the XV and the Impreza have round fog lights mounted on the outer corners of the lower front fascia, the VX’s fog lights are molded into the body where the Impreza has contrasting dark colored bezels that house these extra lights.

Along the sides, the 2013 XV Crosstrek really stands apart from the Impreza thanks to the increased ride height that has the body sitting some 4 inches higher. That difference provides a much bigger gap between the tires and the body and that basic design gives the XV the natural look of a crossover or small SUV. Also, the XV has unique 17 inch wheels with black painted pockets and machined spokes that are far sportier than the standard rollers on the Impreza. Also, in addition to the black cladding along the lower rocker areas, the XV has dark contrasting wheel opening flares that help to contribute to the offroad ready look of this high riding sport wagon.

The back end of the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek is also quite a bit different from the standard Impreza wagon thanks to the uniquely designed lower fascia that has a body colored diffuser that flows down from the rear hatch opening, flanked by dark contrasting reflector bezels on both sides that run into the dark rear rocker extensions. Compared to the Impreza Sport, which has a body colored area that extends down through the lower reflectors with a contrasting center section, the rear end of the XV looks more like something intended to hit the trails where the Impreza has more of an on-road sport compact design.

When it comes down to it, if you like the looks of the modern Subaru Impreza you will like the looks of the new 2013 XV Crosstrek. This car has all of the design DNA of the Impreza but the few subtle changes around the exterior allow this high riding hatchback to differentiate itself from the traditional Impreza and it does so in a way that I think allows it to have a personality of its own. This is clearly a model based on the popular Impreza but the unique front and rear fascias combined with the unique wheels, the wheel opening flares and the steady dose of dark trim running along the bottom of the vehicle give the XV a very sporty, offroad ready look that I really like.