U.S. News & World Report announced its annual Best Cars for Teens awards for 2023, for both new and used vehicles. The 2019 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid was named as the Best Small SUV for Teens in the used category.
According to U.S. News & World Report, “These awards recognize cars that score well in factors including dependability, reliability, crash prevention, available features, and are highly recommended.”
The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid was introduced in 2013 and, at the time, was one of the few hybrid SUVs available in the United States with all-wheel drive.
The second-generation Crosstrek Hybrid arrived in 2018, upping the ante with plug-in hybrid technology, allowing drivers 17 miles of pure electric range at speeds up to 65 mph and a total range with the gas engine of 480 miles.1 The gasoline engine provides 137 hp alone, and the electric motor brings the figure to 148 hp. The second-generation Crosstrek Hybrid offers up to 90 MPGe,2 making it an economical choice for teens as they head off to school.
“Each vehicle that won a Best Cars for Teens award offers strong crash test ratings and helpful active safety features, so there’s a better chance of being protected if a collision occurs,” says Jim Sharifi, managing editor of U.S. News Best Cars. “At the same time, these awards highlight the cars and SUVs that have teen driver controls, which can help new drivers hone their skills behind the wheel and lower the chance that they will be involved in an accident.”
All the vehicles that were recognized “are available with forward collision warning and forward automatic emergency braking, as well as lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist,” U.S. News & World Report states.
Providing all that safety technology in a used SUV is a major win for the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, which comes standard with a suite of driver-assist and safety features, including EyeSight®3 Driver Assist Technology with Pre-Collision Braking4 and Throttle Management; Adaptive Cruise Control; Lane Departure and Sway Warning; and Lane Keep Assist.
The 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid also features a standard Driver Assist Indicator, Steering Responsive Headlights, Reverse Automatic Braking, LED High Beam Assist, Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert5 in addition to a Pedestrian Alert System that provides an audible warning to pedestrians within the proximity of the vehicle when it is traveling below 20 mph.
According to U.S. News & World Report, “[t]o be named a Best Used Car for Teens, a vehicle must be from the 2018 through 2020 model years and have the best combination of dependability and safety ratings, projected ownership costs, positive reviews from critics when it was new, and available tech that can help prevent crashes or lessen their severity.”
The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is readily available as a 2023 model in California or several select states that follow California’s zero-emissions mandate. On the used market, though, the Crosstrek Hybrid can be found at retailers nationwide.
1 Based on EPA-estimated hwy fuel economy and a full tank of fuel. Actual mileage and range may vary. 2 EPA-estimated MPG equivalent on a full battery charge. Actual mileage may vary. 3 EyeSight is a driver-assist system that may not operate optimally under all driving conditions. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors, such as vehicle maintenance, weather, and road conditions. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations. Requires automatic transmission. 4 EyeSight is a driver-assist system that may not operate optimally under all driving conditions. The Pre-Collision Braking System is designed to provide automatic braking that either prevents a collision or reduces the severity of a frontal impact. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors, such as vehicle maintenance, weather, and road conditions. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations. 5 Blind-Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are systems designed to assist the driver by monitoring the rear and side areas of the vehicle during a lane change or reversing and are not a substitute for safe and attentive driving.
