Crossovers, such as the Subaru Crosstrek, are shifting fleet buying preferences in vehicle types found on corporate selectors. Once considered an upgrade, crossovers are now found in fleets in representative ratios as the retail market.
When spec’ing fleet vehicles, the cardinal rule is to spec the vehicle to the application and the road conditions in which it will operate. When managing a nationally dispersed fleet, it is necessary to specify different vehicles to meet varying road conditions, such as those found in snow-belt states, mountainous terrain, and off-the-beaten-track rural conditions.
One vehicle that can handle each of these conditions is the all-new 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0L Limited, a five-door hatchback. The Crosstrek is a true crossover in that it offers SUV-like characteristics, such as greater interior volume, a higher center of gravity, and high ground-clearance, which is built on a unibody car platform that offers car-like handling and increased fuel economy. The Crosstrek integrates the best features of both a car and an SUV.
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The Crosstrek is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed Lineartronic CVT, which allows the Crosstrek to achieve 33 mpg highway and 27 mpg city. It has symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD), which creates uniform stability and delivers an optimal distribution of power for maximum traction, ideal when driving in inclement weather conditions. The AWD system provides improved handling, efficiency, and a quicker response to difficult or slippery road conditions.
Photo by Vince Taroc.
The Crosstrek chassis is larger than its predecessor model. Its wheelbase is 1.2-inch longer, there is a half-inch in overall length. Its body is 0.9-inches wider and its track is an inch wider compared with the 2017 model. The Crosstrek has a ground clearance of 8.7 inches, allowing it to handle almost any road without scraping the underbody.
The new taillamp design allows for a wider hatchback opening making it easier to load larger cargo in back. With seats folded flat, a driver can fit up to 55.3 cubic feet of merchandise into the cargo space. With the rear seats up, there is 20.8 cubic feet of cargo area. The hatchback opening is four inches wider than last year’s model and the distance between wheelhouses is farther apart, making it easier to load bulkier cargo.
The 2018 Crosstrek provides a spacious interior with more leg and hip room than the 2017 model. It is a comfortable vehicle to drive with a six-way adjustable driver’s seat and four-way adjustable front passenger seat. The interior has an ergonomic layout made of high-quality materials. One early driving impression is the quiet interior. There is a sound-insulated windshield, which is combined with additional sound-deadening materials elsewhere in the vehicle.
Available on the 2.0i Premium Limited is EyeSight Driver Assist Technology that monitors traffic movement, optimizes cruise control, and warns the driver when the vehicle is straying outside its lane. The Pre-Collision Braking feature will apply full braking force in emergency situations. New to 2018 Crosstrek is Lane Keep Assist.
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