Subaru’s first hybrid, based on the XV Crosstrek, gives greenies a warm, fuzzy feeling

By Stephen Edelstein Published May 27, 2014

Check out our full written 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid review.

Subaru is going green, literally.

Recommended Videos

The company known for making cars that hippies love to buy debuted its first hybrid, based on the XV Crosstrek, at the 2013 New York Auto Show on Thursday. It was painted a bright shade of green.

If it wasn’t green, you’d be hard pressed to tell that the 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid had and electric motor under the hood. It looks identical to the straight gasoline Crosstrek, which is a jacked-up Impreza hatchback.

The XV Crosstrek Hybrid has the same 2.0-liter boxer-four and continuously variable transmission (CVT) as its sibling, producing 148 horsepower. Subaru added an auto start/stop system to maximize efficiency.

Hybridization comes from a 13 hp electric motor mounted to the back of the transmission and a 13.5-kW nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The Crosstrek can cruise solely on electric power up to 25 mph, after that the electric motor provides a burst of power for passing and acceleration.

Subaru didn’t quote any specific fuel economy numbers, but it is calling the XV Crosstrek Hybrid the “most fuel efficient all-wheel drive hybrid crossover in America.” That’s a bit unfair, given that the Crosstrek is actually a compact hatchback with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and there are very few all-wheel drive hybrids crossovers.

No one said exploiting a niche is a bad thing, though. Like the rest of the Subaru lineup, the 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid’s biggest selling point will probably be its all-wheel drive capability.

We’ll update the specs on the greenest Subaru when they are released and look for a review in the future.

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Eaton, Treehouse to boost home capacity for EV charging, energy storage

eaton treehouse ev charging news releases

Power-management firm Eaton likes to point out that when it launched in 1911, it invested in a new idea -- the very first gear-driven truck axle -- just at a time when both transportation and power management were on the cusp of dramatic change.
More than 113 years later, Eaton is again seeking to lead innovation in the current energy transition.
The power-management firm just signed a deal with Treehouse, an AI, software-enabled installation platform for electrification projects. The end goal: accelerating the electrification of homes for electric-vehicle (EV) charging, energy storage, or heat pumps, while seeking more efficiency and cost savings.
“At Eaton, we’re all-in on the energy transition and we’re making it happen at scale by delivering breakout technologies and industry collaborations needed to delight customers and make it more accessible and affordable,” says Paul Ryan, general manager of Connected Solutions and EV Charging at Eaton.
The partnership will ensure consumers are provided with accurate and fast pricing, as well as access to licensed electricians to deliver code-compliant installations, the companies say.
The collaboration also integrates into Eaton’s “Home as a Grid” approach, which supports the two-way flow of electricity, enabling homeowners to produce and consume renewable energy when they need it, Eaton says.
“For more than a century, power has flowed in one direction—from centralized power plants into homes,” the company says. “Today, there’s a new reality thanks to solar, electric-vehicle charging, energy storage, digitalization, and more.”
Projects to change homes and EVs into energy hubs have multiplied recently.
Last month, Nissan joined ChargeScape, a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) venture that is already backed by BMW, Ford, and Honda. ChargeScape’s software wirelessly connects EVs to power grids and utility companies, enabling consumers to receive financial incentives for temporarily pausing charging during periods of high demand. Eventually, consumers should also be able to sell the energy stored in their EVs’ battery back to the power grid.
In August, GM announced that V2G technology will become standard in all its model year 2026 models. And Tesla CEO Elon Musk has hinted that Tesla could introduce V2G technology for its vehicles in 2025.

Cars

Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and EVs offer big incentives as year nears its end

chrysler dodge jeep ev incentives record my24 hybrid gallery 04 exterior desktop jpg image 1440

It’s no secret that automakers and dealerships typically climb over each other to offer the best incentives before the year ends. But this year’s sales season is expected to be particularly competitive, with slowing sales translating to greater urgency to clear inventory.

According to research from Kelley Blue Book, the respected vehicle-valuation firm, overall incentives on new vehicle sales were up by 60% in October compared to the previous year.

Cars

Jeep, Ram EREVs will get 690-mile range with new Stellantis platform

A 2025 Ram 1500 Ramcharger sits in a vineyard.

Stellantis, the giant automotive group, is betting big on extending the range of both its hybrid and fully electric vehicles (EVs).

Last month, the company, which owns the Jeep, Dodge, and Ram brands in the U.S., invested nearly $30 million into an advanced wind tunnel at its research center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The goal is to study airflow around a vehicle’s wheels and tires to further optimize its EVs and boost their range.