Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #322

Dan Roth — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:45:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Podcasts, Bentley, Jeep, Lincoln, Subaru, Toyota, Tesla, Electric

2014 Jeep Cherokee, Tesla profit, 2014 Bentley Continental Flying Spur, Ford Atlas chief designer Gordon Platto

Episode #322 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff Ross talk about the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, Tesla's cautious announcement of a first-quarter profit, the 2014 Bentley Flying Spur and Zach and Dan share an interview with Gordon Platto, chief designer for the Ford Atlas Concept truck from this year's Detroit Auto Show. We wrap with a couple of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #322:

Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
2013 Toyota Prius V
2013 Lincoln MKS

Hosts: Dan Roth, Zach Bowman, Jeff Ross

Runtime: 01:26:23

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Autoblog Podcast #322 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek

Zach Bowman — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Subaru, New Car Reviews, Off-Road

A Rugged Runabout For The Masses

If there's one thing manufacturers can't stand, it's a void in the marketplace. Product planners spend untold hours scouring the automotive spectrum for any whiff of white space, and once found, waste no time in sussing up a new model to fill the vacuum. That's how we wind up with oddities like the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, Chevrolet HHR Panel, and yes, the BMW 5 Series GT. Even Subaru has occasionally fallen into the answer-to-the-question-no-one-asked trap, resulting in models like the short-lived Baja.

So, when we first laid eyes on the 2013 XV Crosstrek, we couldn't help but approach the model with all the caution we typically reserve for unidentified casseroles. At first blush, the hatchback looks just like an Impreza with a lift kit and some funky body cladding. But given recent shifts in the Subaru playbook, the XV actually makes sense as part of the company's comprehensive lineup. As the Impreza has grown larger and softer, the WRX has moved even deeper into the performance realm and the old Impreza Outback Sport has vanished completely, leaving buyers looking for an economical, rugged runabout with no place to turn. That's where the XV Crosstrek comes in.

Continue reading 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge Dart and three others latest to earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Crossover, Dodge, Hyundai, Lexus, Subaru

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named four more vehicles to its coveted Top Safety Pick list, which has grown to include 131 models. This time around, the 2013 Dodge Dart, Lexus ES, Hyundai Santa Fe and Subaru XV Crosstrek achieved top marks for crash safety in all applicable criteria tests. The IIHS has yet to start any large-scale tests of its new small overlap front crash test, so none of these models were subjected to this new category.

Proving how safe small cars now are, the Dart is one of 31 compact cars to grab a spot as a Top Safety Pick, being joined by XV Crosstrek. This is definitely good news for Subaru as, aside from the old-bodied Impreza WRX, its lineup of new products is on this list of safe vehicles.

While the new Santa Fe was named as a Top Safety Pick, it was actually the smaller Santa Fe Sport that was crash tested by Hyundai rather than the three-row model that now wears this name. Finally, both the hybrid (ES 300h) and non-hybrid versions of the new Lexus ES made the cut even though it is listed solely as the ES 350.

Continue reading Dodge Dart and three others latest to earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

Dodge Dart and three others latest to earn IIHS Top Safety Pick originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru announces 2013 XV Crosstrek prices to start at $21,995*

George Kennedy — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Crossover, Subaru

Subaru has announced pricing for its new 2013 XV Crosstrek. The quasi-crossover starts at $21,995 for the Premium trim, while a Limited model carries an MSRP of $24,495 (*not including a destination charge of $795).

The XV Crosstrek is essentially a high-water Impreza five-door with a little extra cladding and ground clearance. Listed at 8.7 inches to be exact, the ground clearance is a healthy three inches greater than the standard Impreza.

The compact model will feature the same 2.0-liter Boxer engine as its pavement-bound brethren, generating 148 horsepower and 145 pound feet of torque. The XV effectively replaces the Subaru Impreza Outback, a model that was quietly discontinued when the fourth-generation Impreza showed up for 2012.

Subaru announces 2013 XV Crosstrek prices to start at $21,995* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek finally arrives Stateside

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:06:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossover, Hatchback, Subaru

If the orange Subaru XV you see here looks familiar, it's because we've seen it before. Not only that, we've driven it. So why, then, would Subaru choose to unveil its high-riding Impreza yet again here at the 2012 New York Auto Show? It's coming to America, that's why. And the car displayed here in the Big Apple is the official U.S. model.

The XV Crosstrek is, essentially, a lifted Impreza that speaks to the Outback Sport models that came before it. It boasts a surprising 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru states that its engineers have made quite a few tweaks to the body and chassis to make the XV substantially more rugged than its Impreza kin.

Power comes from the same 2.0-liter boxer four that's found in the standard Impreza, putting out 148 horsepower and mated to either a five-speed manual or Continuously Variable Transmission. Naturally, all-wheel drive is standard, and because the XV is capable of achieving up to 33 miles per gallon on the highway, Subaru touts that it's the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive CUV on the market.

The XV Crosstrek goes on sale this fall and official pricing will be announced closer to that time, but we're guessing it'll start off somewhere in the neighborhood of the 2011 Outback Sport's $20,720 price of entry. Scroll down for Subaru's press release.

Continue reading 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek finally arrives Stateside

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek finally arrives Stateside originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru confirms debut of U.S. XV Crosstrek for NY

Zach Bowman — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Crossover, Subaru

Subaru has announced it will debut the 2013 XV Crosstrek at next month's New York Auto Show. While based on the company's Impreza platform, engineers worked in several tweaks to the body and chassis to imbue it with a bit more crossover utility. Additional ride height delivers 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a smattering of black plastic cladding helps the vehicle further stand out from its donor platform.

A 148-horsepower, 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine provides power and should deliver up to 33 miles per gallon on the highway. That's not a stellar number for a vehicle this size, but as Subaru points out, it's good enough to help the XV Crosstrek nab the honor of being the most fuel-efficient all-wheel drive crossover on the market. Buyers may bolt the engine to either a five-speed manual transmission or CVT.

Inside, the rear seats can be folded completely flat for around 52.4 cubic feet of cargo area. With the seats up, rear passengers can look forward to around 35.4 inches of leg room. Look for the XV Crosstrek to hit dealers this fall. In the meantime, hit the jump to check out the full press release and keep an eye out for our New York Auto Show coverage starting April 4.

Continue reading Subaru confirms debut of U.S. XV Crosstrek for NY

Subaru confirms debut of U.S. XV Crosstrek for NY originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek

David Kiley — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Hatchback, Subaru, First Drives

A Utility Knife For The Sensible Shoes Crowd

There are stories in every culture about a young man or woman who is supposed to marry someone sensible, attractive, a good cook and good provider. But when the protagonist of the story meets the would-be fiancee's more interesting, vivacious, funny and unconventional sibling or best friend, sparks fly and the original relationship doesn't stand a chance.

And so it was when we drove the 2013 Subaru XV through the roads and highways of Tuscany. On Day One, we drove the version the U.S. will get in the third quarter of next year. The first thing to hit us: déjà vu. This is the 2012 Impreza hatchback, albeit with cladding above the wheel wells and a a seriously jacked up stance. It will have the same, brand-new 2.0-liter flat-four as the Impreza hatch we tested a few months ago that is just hitting dealer lots. So what's the verdict? The XV can cook an acceptable pot of tomato sauce and cleans up nicely for Sunday mass. She's a nice girl and good company.

We should have left it there. We should have called it a test after Day One. We should have simply driven off with the girl we came to meet. Why? Because on day two of our drive, we met the cousin with the better personality, the longer legs, the Sophia Loren cheekbones and the killer personality: the 2.0 liter turbo-diesel with the manual transmission. We drove her through the winding back roads north of Florence amidst the Chianti vineyards, villages and Fiat fix-it shops, but she refuses to come to the States. You see, she will only date Europeans.

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2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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