2018 Subaru Crosstrek

2018 Subaru Crosstrek

Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Date: May 2018
Mileage: 1,725

This just redesigned 2018 Subaru Crosstrek arrived on our long-term lot with just 25-miles on the odometer. In the month since, we’ve added 1,700 more, and mileage is off to a good start, averaging 33.5 miles-per-gallon. 

We do expect that to drop as we continue to rack up miles. But before we do that, let’s get to know the Crosstrek a little more. 

All new for ’18, our 2.0-liter 4-cylinder long-termer is outfitted in Limited trim; which means a back-up camera, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED steering responsive headlights, and automatic climate control are all standard; not to mention a CVT and of course, X-Mode all-wheel-drive. 

To that we’ve added a moonroof, EyeSight Driver-Assist System, Reverse Automatic Braking, High Beam Assist, Navigation for the 8.0-inch Starlink touchscreen, and a 432-watt Harmon-Kardon Sound System. If nothing else, we’ll be rockin’ out for the next 11-months.

Date: June 2018

The warm weather has finally settled in here at MotorWeek HQ, and another 11-hundred miles have passed by in the redesigned 2018 Subaru Crosstrek.

It sure is Subaru solid, and standard all-wheel-drive provides great contact with any and all roads. The back-up camera has a higher vantage point than before, for a better view of what’s happening behind you, with a crystal clear image on the Starlink multi-media screen.

Engineers added 4-more horses to the now 152-horsepower 2.0-liter flat 4 matched with an updated CVT. It’s adequate with decent acceleration, but there’s no adrenaline rush. As we’ve mentioned before, they could improve noise control too.  

So far we’re averaging 29.2 MPG of regular, right on the mark with the government’s numbers. And it is clear sailing for the summer roads ahead in our 2018 Subaru Crosstrek.

Date: August 2018
Mileage: 6,500

The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek seems to be the right vehicle for any season. 65-hundred miles have passed by in this rugged raised hatchback. 

Now, we drove the 2017 model for a year, and we are noticing the differences. This ’18 is more refined, the ride is tauter, and overall has a more solid feel. The 152-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder works with an updated CVT. They’re a capable team… but we’d like more thrill from the throttle. 

Our long term fuel economy average is 32-point-4 miles-per-gallon of regular. While all-wheel drive is not as critical during summer months, the Crosstrek’s usefulness… has us forecasting a long and enjoyable road ahead.

Date: September 2018
Mileage: 8,500

The Subaru Crosstrek is a stalwart in the MotorWeek fleet. So far we’ve driven the 2018 model 8500-miles after spending a year with the 2017 edition. This raised hatchback continues to have the right amount of utility and ruggedness for all roads and weather conditions. 

Subaru’s all-wheel drive system is readily up to the challenge everywhere we’ve gone so far. 

The 152-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder is paired with an updated CVT. They work well together, and while there’s decent low end torque… we’d like even more throttle response. Compared to our ’17, this ’18 Crosstrek drives more refined, solid, and secure.

Fuel economy is now 30-point-3-miles-per-gallon on regular… which is slightly better than the government’s Combined rating. Now, as the summer slips away, we’ll see how the Crosstrek handles our Autumn adventures.

Date: November 2018
Mileage: 12,000

We passed the summer season quickly in our 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. And after 7-months total, we’ve put 12-thousand-miles on the odometer.

When we took delivery of this 2018 Crosstrek, we had just spent a year in the previous generation, but even if we hadn't the changes would still be obvious. The ride is much more refined thanks to the new global platform and technology, both for safety and convenience is top notch in this segment. We could still use some more horsepower, but to be fair, we say that a lot.

 However, most buyers will find the 152-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with CVT powertrain more than adequate. Plus, we’re bettering the government’s combine rating at 30-point-1-miles-per-gallon on regular.

This raised hatchback has the right amount of room, utility and ruggedness. We’ll see how it handles the more frigid months that loom ahead.

Date: February 2019
Mileage: 16,000 Miles

Our 2018 Subaru Crosstrek is designed to thrive in winter. But, so far, it hasn’t had much taste of snow and ice… as our Mid-Atlantic winter has been mostly devoid of the white stuff. But the cold has been a constant.

Regardless of temps, and the growing number of potholes, the refinement of the new global platformreally shined. The 152-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with CVT is still up to every task we throw at it."The Crosstrek has been a steady workhorse in the MotorWeek long term test fleet. Our staff loves agood hatchback and this is certainly a good hatchback. Plenty of space, enough ground clearance toconfidently tackle bumpy gravel roads and a comfortable, upscale inrerior."

Our overall fuel economy average is 29-point-6 miles-per-gallon on regular… which is right in line withthe government’s combined rating.

Hopefully we’ll see the Crosstrek’s all-wheel drive in action during the snowy months to come. 

Date: April 2019
Mileage: 19,000 Miles

One year and around 19-thousand miles have passed in our Subaru Crosstrek. It’s just back from a road trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. And all that seat time made it obvious how much more solid and refined this redesigned model is thanks in part to the new global platform.

"The Crosstrek is proving to be a pretty decent road trip car. There's enough space to pack larger gear in the back, the wide opening hatch makes it easy to access and it doesn't drink a lot of gas. Some road and wind noise creeps in, but that's only highlighted by the fact that no one in the car wants to talk to me."

The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and CVT are more than adequate. And no complaints when we fill up. We’re averaging 29.2 miles-per-gallon on regular… right in line with the government’s numbers… all while being a versatile member of our long term fleet. 

Date: May 2019
Mileage: 19,748 Miles

It’s time to say good-bye to the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. We spent a year in this rugged-ute after testing the previous generation for the prior twelve months, so we’ve really gotten a feel for how versatile this raised hatchback can be… whether tooling around town doing chores… or taking long road trips. The new global platform stepped up the refinement, while Subaru’s symetrical all-wheel drive never let us down.

The 152-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and CVT powertrain were well matched all along the way. 19,748-miles was our final tally, with an average 29.6 miles-per-gallon… just a hair better than the EPA’s combined calculations. So the Subaru Crosstrek proved to be up to the task of whatever we asked…. no matter how the forecast turned out.

Specifications

  • Engine: 2.0 liter
  • Trim: Limited
2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid 1

2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid

Episode 4427
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"
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Long Term Updates

Date: March 2025Mileage: 4,500


Our 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid long-term arrived just in time for some significant snowfall here in the Mid-Atlantic, and while we didn’t exactly drive through the deep stuff, we spent plenty of time on snow covered roads and it performed quite admirably considering we’re just working with front-wheel-drive here.

This is the first time Kia has put a hybrid powertrain in their minivan, and it promises up to 33-Combined MPG. But that cold weather has us off to a very slow start, as our average over the first 4,500 miles of driving is just 26.7 mpg. Still, that’s above average for a vehicle this size and way better than the 22.6 we got in the V6-powered Carnival a few years back.

The Carnival Hybrid uses an upgraded version of the Sorento SUV’s setup which pairs a 1.6-liter turbo-four engine with a larger 54-kW electric motor to produce a combined output of 242 horsepower, 15 more than the Sorento.

“The V6 powered Carnival certainly has plenty of get up and go, but the electric boost from this hybrid system adds just a little bit more. And despite the power still going only to the front wheels, it feels like it gets to the ground more efficiently. That’s to say we’re spending less time spinning our wheels here than we did in our previous long-term Carnival.”

Date: April 2025Mileage: 7,000


Trying to leave winter to the salt trucks, our 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid has been on the move to warmer climates. We’ve put 7,000 miles on Kia’s latest sliding side-door Multi-Purpose Vehicle in just two months.

This Hybrid may work with 45 fewer horsepower than the standard V6, but torque output is a stout 271 lb-ft, getting to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. And it can spin up the front tires just as easily as the V6. But clearly, we’ve been keeping burnouts to a minimum as fuel economy is on the rise, now 29.0 mpg.

After logging a lot of early highway miles, this Carnival is now entering its around-town, daily-driver era. So far, the switch from battery-power to gas-power and then back to battery-power has been relatively seamless. There’s a quick burst of electric torque, which is just enough to get things rolling from a stop, before that gas engine fires up, which has played no small part in boosting our fuel economy.

2024 Fiat 500e 34

2024 Fiat 500e

Episode 4424
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Long Term Updates

Date: February 2025Mileage: 1,100


Giving us a break from the utilities and sedans of our long-term fleet is a new compact addition like no other, this all-electric 2024 Fiat 500e.

This first update reflects just over 1,100 miles worth of EV road thus traveled, including wintery conditions. Even with 3-4 inches of Mid-Atlantic snow, this 3,000-pound, front-wheel-drive compact was rather adept at traversing subpar tarmac.

We’re having no issues reaching the advertised 149 miles of range, and 150 kW DC fast charging makes top offs lightning fast— 50 miles in 10 minutes.

Driving this 500e, one word comes to mind: smooth. That’s true not just of the acceleration, but the deceleration. Going into “range” drive mode activates one-pedal drive, which normally turns off some our test drivers. But this has such a natural feel that even our most anti-one-pedal-drive staffers have offered their compliments.

Date: April 2025Mileage: 1,500

While the 2003 remake of “The Italian Job” featured customized MINI Coopers, if it were remade today we think this Fiat 500e would make for an excellent all-electric stand-in. It’s small, zippy, and still just as fun to drive around town. Those short trips are slowly adding miles, with the odo not sitting just over 1500.

We’re darting around town in the 500e because that’s what it does best. The short wheelbase has us turning on a dime and when it comes time to move expeditiously, the torque-y electric motor gets us where we need to be when we need to be there. Granted, driving next to large SUVs can be a little nerve-wracking, but the cabin is surprisingly quiet so that helps minimize the anxiety.

Our long, cold winter was a good test for this little Fiat. While we missed the heated seats of our recent rose-gold Inspired by BEAUTRY tester, this base RED model routinely saw 135 to 138 miles on range a full charge, even with the heat blasting. That fits with the EPA’s 141 miles max with all season tires.