Many other markets have been enjoying the newest generation Subaru Crosstrek, AKA the XV in the Philippines, since last year. Things are looking up, though, as Motor Image Pilipinas openly teased its upcoming release on their website, and is even making reservations available for it already. Here’s what we know about the brand’s upcoming model.
Subaru XV will now adopt the name Crosstrek in PH
Photo: Subaru
Cutting to the chase, Subaru gave absolutely no information about the upcoming Crosstrek. Fortunately, we have some knowledge about what other countries have gotten, and we can loosely base what we’ll get from those, particularly those that are already being sold in the ASEAN region.
Outside, it retains much of its familiar shape and aesthetics. The headlights, grill, front and rear bumpers, and taillight assemblies along with the trunk garnish did get a redesign, but the greenhouse and raked roofline have been retained. What we can surely expect is a new set of alloy wheels, though.
Photo: Subaru
Inside, we can see that not much has changed. The shifter console is a little different from that of the outgoing XV, but it still almost exactly looks the same, of course with the addition of the massive infotainment screen in the center stack.
What will power the Crosstrek? It will most likely be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine and could be the exact same one under the hood of the Impreza and its bigger SUV/crossover sibling the Forester. That mill puts out about 154 HP and 196 Nm of pull, and will probably be mated to a Lineartronic CVT. Despite the news that some Crosstrek releases did not have AWD, we’re guessing that AWD will come standard in what comes into the PH market. Right, Motor Image?
We also expect EyeSight, Subaru’s proprietary safety suite, to come standard in the new Crosstrek. That feature has always been a very big draw for the brand and to even think of excluding it is folly.
Photo: Subaru
As mentioned, the reservation books are already open for the new Subaru Crosstrek. No information on price or possible variants was indicated on the reservation form, but we’ll likely get a bump up in the price, and maybe a lone variant coming in. But take these assumptions with a grain of salt; at least until more details come in.
Speaking of variants, we’re half hoping that maybe, just maybe, an electrified variant is in the works. That would put Subaru’s foot right into the competition’s backyard, and a model such as the Crosstrek will be a perfect gateway into both Subaru and electrification.
Wishful thinking is free, after all.
