SUBARU CROSSTREK

Let's find out if its 'lifestyle' ambitions are more than skin deep

- ALASTAIR CLEMENTS

MILEAGE 4543

WHY WE'RE RUNNING IT

To see if this capable new crossover can be more than just a niche product

Judging by the action-packed promotional videos I've seen, Subaru's 'lifestyle' aspirations for this car amount to rather sexier outdoor pursuits usually involving skis, sails or ropes than a weekend's fishing in the Home Counties. However, that was what my best friend Alex wanted to do for his 50th birthday, and it was in the depths of the countryside with the potential for the odd green lane, so the Crosstrek seemed the obvious choice of transport.

It was fortunate that there were only two of us, because once we had stowed a weekend's food, a couple of disposable barbecues, sufficient liquid refreshment, wellies and ancillary fishing gear in the boot, there wasn't any room left for our clothes (or Alex's eight rods), so we had to load up the rear seat too.