We currently drive a big SUV (Buick Enclave) which we like and will keep but, at 15 MPG combined, also want a "Shuttlecraft" we can bip around town in but can also take skiing. We want something easy to take up a parking garage ramp or on a trip to snow country. The Forrester doesn't downsize enough. The Mini Cooper AWD is too small, too expensive, and too unreliable. I know Honda is coming out with an SUV version of the newly designed FIT but not till next year. It seems Subaru is the only choice out there. We are trying to decide between a Crosstrek and Imprezza and a 2013 vs 2014. I am interested why you Crosstrek owners chose what is essentially a jacked up and more expensive and slightly worse gas mileage version of the Imprezza.
Also I would like to comment on the new Hybrid. I have done the math. You would need to drive the vehicle 200,000 miles to recover the extra cost via gas savings and by then the extra maintenance and battery replacement would still leave you in the hole. But here is what most people are not getting. Virually every reviewer says the Imprezza and Crosstrek and underpowered BUT the electric motor assist on the Hyrid apparently is just enough to overcome that complaint. So what you are really buying is a more powerful engine and no loss (an actually a tiny gain) in MPG.
With respect to the 2014 Crosstrek, Subaru also addressed other complaints. They improved the handling and suspension and added a bunch of soundproofing; road and engine noise being the second most common reviewer complaint (after power). Since the Crosstrek and Impreza are almost twins, I wanted to know if they made any simliar changes to the Impreza for 2014. There is nothing on their websites and even when I called Subaru they did not know.
Any help is this decision would be appreciated. Impreza Limted 2013, Impreza Limted 2014, Crosstrek 2013, Crosstrek 2014, Crosstrek Hybrid 2014? Please weigh in.
Thanks
