Subaru Crosstrek vs. the competition

Previously known as the XV locally, the nameplate now known as the Crosstrek is one of the most established Subaru crossovers in the market. 

To be more specific, the Subaru Crosstrek traces its roots all the way back to the now-discontinued Impreza. The newer crossover, after all, was based on a concept that essentially rose on a raised Impreza five-door hatchback platform. Its production version was later introduced globally as the Subaru XV at the 2011 edition of the Frankfurt Motor Show. 

At present, the Subaru Crosstrek has evolved to become a feature-complete ride that the brand’s local arm has touted to be a dynamic option for prospective buyers who want a well-balanced vehicle that can handle both daily driving, long road trips, and some measure of light off-roading. 

But what are the alternatives to the Subaru Crosstrek? What are its main compact crossover competitors in the local market? We’ll find out here, but first, let’s have a summary of the model’s specifications and features. 

Subaru Crosstrek

On the outside, the Crosstrek wears an aggressive-looking front fascia combined with plenty of black-colored plastic trims and claddings. Flanking its quadrilateral grille are a pair of sharp headlamp clusters equipped with LED headlamps, LED cornering lamps, and daytime running lamps. 

Over towards its side, the model comes standard with power-folding and adjustable side mirrors. Its higher-spec trims also get a set of 18-inch wheels. Other notable exterior equipment present on the Crosstrek includes roof rails, LED taillights, rain-sensing wipers, and a roof-mounted spoiler. 

Inside the Subaru Crosstrek is a five-seater configuration upholstered in leather. Its dashboard also comes with plenty of soft-touch surfaces combined with a dual-zone automatic air-conditioning system, an 11.6-inch infotainment system, a digital gauge cluster, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, and a front cabin armrest. 

To note, the said touchscreen aboard the Subaru-made crossover comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is linked to a six-piece speaker set. Charging aboard the ride is also made easy, thanks to a wireless charging pad, USB ports, and a 12-volt accessory outlet. 

Other notable creature comforts available to the Subaru Crosstrek include the following: 

• Push-to-start button
• Electronic parking brake
• 10-way power-adjust driver’s seat with lumbar support
• 60:40 split-folding rear seats
• Tilt and telescopic steering column
• Adjustable head restraints
• Rear center armrest
• Keyless entry

The basic safety kit of the Subaru Crossover consists of seven airbags, anti-lock braking, ISOFIX child seat anchors, hill-descent control, brake assist, and vehicle dynamics control - among others. 

The aforementioned are further reinforced by advanced safety equipment such as active torque vectoring, reverse automatic braking, occupant detection, high beam assist, wide-angle camera, pre-collision raking with intersection support, adaptive cruise control, lane centering, pre-collision throttle management, lane sway warning, lane departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert. 

Propelling the Subaru Crosstrek is a 2.0-liter boxer-four gasoline engine capable of producing up to 154 horsepower (hp) and 196 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. Power is sent to all four of its wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). 

Here is a table detailing the basic mechanical specifications of the Subaru Crosstrek: 

Engine	2.0-liter boxer-four gasoline
Drivetrain	All-wheel-drive (AWD)
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	154
Torque	196 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Double-wishbone
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Locally, the Subaru Crosstrek has a price ranging from P1.998 million-P2.088 million across three variants. 

Mazda CX-5

One strong competitor of the Subaru Crosstrek is the Mazda CX-5. Sure, it isn’t as “outdoorsy” as the Subaru-made nameplate, but some of its trims fall within the same price range, and it also belongs within the compact crossover category. For reference, the Mazda model has a price ranging from P1.95 million-P2.43 million. 

The exterior of the Mazda CX-5 employs the familiar crossover body style with its high-riding stance and its generously tall windows. However, it boasts sleek lines combined with a sharp-looking front fascia paired with keen-looking LED fixtures. 

Other noteworthy exterior equipment available to the Mazda-made model includes, but is not limited to: 

• Power sunroof
• Power-adjust side mirrors
• Power tailgate
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Rear privacy glass

For its cabin, the Mazda-produced nameplate comes with leather upholstered seats, with the ones up front providing power-adjustability. It also has 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, front seat ventilation, and some bits of wood trim on its dashboard. 

Other driving equipment for the model, meanwhile, consists of a seven-inch digital gauge cluster, a heads-up display, a push-to-start button, tilt and telescopic steering column, paddle shifters, an electronic parking brake, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror - among others. 

Handling entertainment and navigation needs of the Mazda CX-5’s occupants is an eight-inch touchscreen linked to a 10-piece Bose speaker set. The said infotainment system also has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which pair with its wireless smartphone charging pad. 

Safety-wise, the CX-5’s standard kit includes six airbags, anti-lock braking, hill-launch assist, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree view camera, ISOFIX, and stability control. 

The aforementioned are further reinforced by a suite of advanced driver-assist systems such as: 

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver attention alert
• Forward obstruction warning
• Front and rear smart braking
• High beam control
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control

In its most powerful form, the CX-5 uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine that can produce up to 249 hp and 434 Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four of its wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. 

Here is a table showcasing the basic specifications of the Mazda CX-5 2.5 AWD Turbo: 

Engine	2.5-liter inline-4 turbocharged gasoline
Drivetrain	AWD
Transmission	Eight-speed automatic
Horsepower	249
Torque	434 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Multi-link
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Toyota Corolla Cross

Another popular competitor of the Subaru Crosstrek is the Toyota Corolla Cross, which currently retails in the local market P1.514 million-P1.943 million. 

Style-wise, particularly the top-spec GR-S hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) trim employs a sportier take on the crossover formula thanks to its aggressive and angular details combined with its black-colored roof. 

For its exterior equipment, the model comes with 18-inch wheels, LED lighting fixtures, power-folding side mirrors, a panoramic moon roof, roof rails, and rain-sensing wipers. 

The five-seater cabin of the Toyota-made crossover, on the other hand, boasts plenty of amenities, such as leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, and an automatic dual-zone air conditioning - among others. 

Its array of driver-centric equipment, meanwhile, consists of the following: 

• Leather steering wheel
• Keyless entry
• Push-to-start button
• 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
• Electrochromic rear-view mirror
• Electronic parking brake

With regard to its infotainment system, it uses a 10-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The aforementioned is also complemented by a wireless smartphone charging pad and a set of six speakers. 

Safety for the Toyota Corolla Cross is primarily handled by a total of seven airbags, anti-lock braking, stability control, a 360-degree view camera, front and rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and a built-in digital video recorder (dashcam). 

Further safety aboard the Toyota-made five-seater is provided by the presence of the following ADAS components: 

• Pre-collision system
• Automatic high beams
• Lane trace assist
• Lane departure alert
• Dynamic radar cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear-cross traffic alert

Under the hood of the Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S HEV is a hybrid 1.8-liter inline-4 gasoline engine paired with a CVT. At maximum, the said engine can deliver up to 120 hp and 142 Nm to the vehicle’s front wheels. 

Here’s a table listing down the basic specifications of the Toyota Corolla Cross GR-S HEV: 

Engine	1.8-liter inline-4 gasoline hybrid
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	120
Torque	142 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Torsion beam
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Ford Territory

Also facing the Subaru Crosstrek in the local compact crossover market is the Ford Territory, which is currently available with a price ranging from P1.335 million-P1.625 million across three trims. 

On the outside, the Ford model showcases an elegantly styled body combined with a modern-looking front fascia fitted with a mesh grille, slim LED daytime running lamps, squarish LED headlamp clusters, and a lower front bumper filled with plenty of functional vents. 

All around the vehicle, especially on its side, are a good deal of chrome and silver fitments. The aforementioned are complemented by the model’s power-folding side mirrors, roof rails, and a set of 19-inch wheels. 

Also present on the exterior of the Blue Oval's compact crossover are rain-sensing wipers, a power tailgate, and a panoramic moonroof. 

Inside, the model offers a five-seater configuration with leather-wrapped seats, automatic dual-zone climate controls, a 60:40 split-folding rear seat with center armrests, as well as an Air Anion Generator.

The driver of the Ford nameplate, on the other hand, gets to use a leather-wrapped steering wheel, push-to-start button, electronic parking brake, power-adjustable driver’s seat with ventilation, a tilt and telescopic steering column, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror - among others. 

The Ford Territory’s digital screens, meanwhile, consist of a 12-inch digital gauge cluster and a similarly-sized touchscreen infotainment system. The aforementioned is connected to an eight-speed speaker set and was equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Topping up devices aboard the Territory is likewise made easy thanks to its wireless smartphone charging pad, 12-volt accessory outlet, and several USB ports. 

For safety, the Ford Territory comes standard with what one would expect from a modern compact crossover. It has six airbags, front and rear parking sensors, anti-lock braking, stability control, traction control, hill launch assist, hill descent control, ISOFIX, and rollover mitigation. 

Exclusive to the model’s top-spec Sport trim includes a suite of ADAS components, which include: 

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Active parking assist
• 360-degree view camera
• Automatic high beams
• Forward collision warning

For its powertrain, it uses a 1.5-liter inline-4 turbocharged gasoline engine connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. 

Check out the table below for the Ford Territory’s basic mechanical specs: 

Engine	1.8-liter inline-4 gasoline hybrid
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	120
Torque	142 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Torsion beam
Brakes	Front and rear discs

BYD Sealion 6 DM-i

While a relatively newcomer to the crossover scene, the BYD Sealion 6 dual-mode intelligent (DM-i) is another compact model currently competing against the Subaru Crosstrek. Price-wise, the hybrid nameplate currently retails at P1.548 million. 

Despite packing highly advanced technologies, the Sealion 6 DM-i still retains the familiar shape of a crossover. Regardless, it has plenty of elegant charm to it, thanks to its well-proportioned stance and its well-thought-out array of features. 

On the outside, the model sports sharp LED lighting fixtures, a set of 19-inch wheels, power tailgate, roof rails, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding side mirrors, and a panoramic sunroof. 

Its well-arranged five-seater interior, on the other hand, comes with leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, as well as front and rear center armrests.

Dominating its dashboard is a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The said screen is complemented by a 10-piece Infinity sound system, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and USB ports. 

As standard, the Sealion 6 DM-i comes fitted with six airbags, anti-lock braking, ISOFIX, traction control, stability control, hill-descent control, and tire pressure monitoring. The aforementioned are supported by the following ADAS features: 

• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure assist
• Automatic emergency braking
• Front collision warning
• Traffic congestion assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Intelligent speed limit control

Propelling the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i is a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine paired with an electronic motor and an 18.3 kilowatt-hour battery. The said system can produce up to 214 hp and 325 Nm. It also provides the ride with an electric mode with a range of 105 kilometers, according to the New European Driving Cycle. 

Here’s a table detailing the mechanical specs of the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i: 

Engine	1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline
Drivetrain	FWD
Hybrid system	Electric motor, battery
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	214
Torque	325 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Multi-link
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Final thoughts

In summary, the Subaru Crosstrek has enough to compete against its rivals. It has a comparable amount of creature comforts, a comprehensive safety kit, and a relatively peppy powertrain as well. 

So, if you’re hunting for a crossover within the P1.5 millon-P2.5 million range, do take the Subaru Crosstrek and the other models mentioned above for a test drive. Sure, comparing specs online is a good start, but having real seat time with the car you want and its closest rivals will make for a better buying experience in the end. 

Also read:

Passenger POV: Here’s why the Subaru Evoltis is a good car for ‘passenger princesses’

Love-mobiles: 4 crossovers you can use for date night

Your Sportify Playlist: Subaru BRZ vs Toyota GR86

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