I purchased a new 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek with the Premium package in November of 2013. The car is very roomy, with the capacity to transport five passengers. I have had no issues with the engine, brakes, or any other part of the car in the nearly two years that I have owned it. The XV Crosstrek is great for moving items from one place to another with its split-folding back row seating. It's a very enjoyable ride with its 2.0L 4-cylinder engine and symmetrical AWD, having enough power and handling to safely navigate at higher speeds and less than ideal road conditions. The XV Crosstrek offers 148 hp @6200 rpm, enough to make the car fun to drive and easy to accelerate. The antilock brakes function beautifully along with the electronic stability control. I don't have to worry about how my car will handle bad road conditions such as heavy rain or snow. The car's navigation and sound system is very easy to use. The Bluetooth connectivity is a big plus, as well as the USB connection in the arm rest for charging and music player connections. I'm not the biggest fan of the XV Crosstrek's rim design, but it's not a big enough issue for me to have the rims replaced with something I find more attractive.

The Subaru Crosstrek XV Hybrid is essentially an armored Impreza. It's a nimble small 5-door hatchback that has been raised to give it over 8 inches of ground clearance, and additional body clad molding to give it a ready-for-some light off-roading look and feel. The Hybrid Touring model I got is Subaru's first hybrid vehicle. It's a "mild hybrid" system, meaning that with a smaller battery that hides in the rear cargo area where the spare tire would normally be, the electric-motor assist provides only modest power when the vehicle starts. The car can run on electric power only for very short distances, and at very slow speeds...perhaps when you are driving around in the mall parking lot looking for a parking space. The added weight of the battery and extra body panels make the car feel a little more solid than the standard Impreza or Crosstrek. Subaru also updated the instrument gauges, the center console display and the HVAC knobs to give the car a somewhat upscale look. The vehicle is fully loaded, with leather seats, moonroof, back-up camera, and 4.5 inch lcd display with navigation. I've only had the car for a couple months, and still have not had the chance to drive it in snowy weather, but so far it has had no issues and has been a solid, reliable performer.