"It's pretty nice to drive. It feels bigger, softer and a little more plush than the others."
That's what Joel Kruppa had to say about the Subaru XV Crosstrekwhen he was asked to help judge the Cars.com Subcompact SUV Challenge. Because they were in the market for a new subcompact SUV, Joel, and his wife, Christine, were chosen to join an expert panel of analysts from Cars.com, USA Today, and Motorweek. Over the course of a week, seven models were put to the test on a 200-mile course featuring roads of varying terrain and elevation. They were evaluated for handling, comfort, performance, and features.
Thanks to its 8.7 inches of ground clearance, firm chassis, versatile five-door layout, and Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, the XV Crosstrek outperformed the competition on its way to Best Subcompact SUV honors.
"This subcompact SUV felt like the 'grownup' of the group, with an oversized cargo area and a delightfully quiet ride," said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com's editor-in-chief. "Overall, it did the best job of packing in impressive, high-tech safety features, ample creature comforts and a great ride for a low price."
Congrats to @subaru_usa, the 2015 XV Crosstrek is the winner of the #SubcompactSUVChallenge! https://t.co/dz0Q1UwG7D pic.twitter.com/Ae5qkPNmsL
— Cars.com (@carsdotcom) November 30, 2015
