Automaker's compact SUV earns top spot in 2018 Challenge, securing position as reigning champion

'We are very proud that Crosstrek has won the title of Best Subcompact SUV by Cars.com for a second time,' said Thomas J. Doll, President and CEO, Subaru of America, Inc. 'Subaru is committed to developing top-quality vehicles that are safe, versatile, and fun; the 2018 Crosstrek encapsulates what customers have come to expect from a Subaru.'

The editorial team at Cars.com individually awarded points in 13 categories for the competition: interior quality, front-seat comfort, backseat comfort, in-cabin storage, multimedia features, convenience features, handling, powertrain, ride quality, noise, visibility, city friendliness and worth the money. All categories combined for a possible maximum score of 1,000 points.

Each model was also awarded points based on the measurements of its cargo volume and assessment of associated factors, the advanced active-safety and driver-assistance features (test vehicle equipped), and its grades in the Cars.com Car Seat Check which gauges the accommodation of various child-safety seats.

The all-new 2018 Crosstrek, which received a total of 667 points, combines a bold new design with a new and highly capable chassis for versatility in both off-road and city driving with a starting price of $21,795. The Subaru Crosstrek was also named as Best Subcompact SUV in Cars.com's previous Subcompact SUV Challenge, conducted in 2015.

Cars.com™ is a leading two-sided digital automotive marketplace that creates meaningful connections between buyers and sellers. Launched in 1998 and headquartered in Chicago, the company empowers consumers with resources and information to make informed buying decisions and enables advertising partners with innovative digital solutions and data-driven intelligence to increase inventory turn and gain market share. A pioneer in online automotive classifieds, the company has evolved into one of the largest digital automotive platforms, connecting thousands of local dealers across the country with millions of consumers. In 2018, Cars.com acquired Dealer Inspire®, a company that builds technology that helps future-proof dealerships for changing consumer behaviors and makes the car buying process faster and easier.

Cars.com properties include DealerRater®, Dealer Inspire®, Auto.com™, PickupTrucks.com® and NewCars.com®. For more information, visit www.Cars.com.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA has donated more than $120 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged more than 40,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do.

Photo credit: Subaru
posted on conceptcarz.com