2 Reasons Why Subaru Sacrificed MPGe And EV Range In Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid

True to the Subaru brand’s core value of all-wheel-drive, the Japanese automaker’s first-ever plug-in hybrid will stay true to its heritage. They could have built their first PHEV on a two-wheel-drive platform and achieved more MPGe and EV range but chose to build in on the rugged Crosstrek platform. They did sacrifice some fuel-efficiency, but it wouldn’t have been a real Subaru without its “go-anywhere” attitude.

The Crosstrek plug-in-hybrid is powered by an FB20 2.0-liter Boxer engine like the standard Crosstrek but is coupled with two electric motors for all-electric power. It uses an 8.8 kWh Lithium-ion battery and the two electric motors produce 118hp and 149 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-liter gas engine produces 137hp and 134 lb-ft of torque. Subaru estimates total system output at 148 horsepower, which is slightly lower than the standard Crosstrek’s 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque.

All-wheel-drive is a core value for Subaru

Even with less horsepower and more weight from the PHEV hardware, with the Crosstrek gas-electric combination, the acceleration and power should be significantly quicker than the standard model. The 148-hp setup achieves an electric-only driving range of 17 miles and speeds up to 65 mph in full electric mode. That is good for a fuel economy rating of 90 MPGe. This is less than plug-in hybrids from other mainstream brands, but Subaru chose to offer it an all-wheel-drive package offering all-weather, all-terrain capability.

For comparison, the Chevrolet Volt gets an EPA rated 53 miles of electric range and 106 MPGe, the Kia Niro PHEV gets 26 miles and 105 MPGe. But the Volt and Niro, along with most other mainstream non-luxury plug-in hybrids, don’t offer all-wheel drive. The larger Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV features an all-wheel-drive system and comes with more electric-only range than the Crosstrek (EPA-rated 22 miles) but lower efficiency (74 MPGe).

The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek plug-in-hybrid offers real all-wheel capability in a hybrid package, and it embodies the company’s environmental vision and their vision to be the overall safety leader. It also comes standard with EyeSight driver assist, so it will be the safest small PHEV SUV for consumers.

Safety first

Even with the increased weight of the Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid system, collision and safety performance will stay at the highest levels for consumers. Subaru could have lowered the weight of the new Crosstrek and sacrificed safety, but they strengthened the chassis to support the increased weight of the Plug-In Hybrid system, as well as protection for the high voltage battery to ensure Crosstrek’s class-leading safety even in the Plug-In Hybrid model.

The all-new first-ever Subaru Plug-in Hybrid wouldn’t have been a real Subaru without being built on a rugged platform with all-wheel-drive, all-terrain capability. It will also be the safest small SUV PHEV for consumers. The Japanese automaker sacrificed MPGe and all-electric range in their first-ever 2019 Subaru Crosstrek plug-in hybrid to stay true to their core values.

Leave your comments below, share the article with friends and tweet it out to your followers!

Follow more Subaru news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Photo credit: Subaru Global