Subaru finally introduces a hybrid; crunchy yuppies rejoice

SubaruThese crunchy yuppies sure look happy with their Crosstrek Hybrid.

Just 16 years after Toyota first started selling the Prius, Subaru has unveiled its own hybrid.

AP reports:

Subaru is coming out with a gas-electric hybrid crossover SUV for the crunchy-granola crowd that wants to save fuel but still haul kayaks to the river.

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The Japanese brand, which specializes in all-wheel-drive vehicles, unveiled the 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid on Thursday at the New York International Auto Show.

The company’s first gas-electric hybrid gets somewhat better gas mileage than the conventional Crosstrek and has stop-start technology that shuts down the engine at red lights to save fuel. It has all wheel drive and the same 8.7-inch ground clearance so it can go on trails. …

Subaru expects 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. That’s 3 mpg better in the city than the gas version with an automatic transmission, but only 1 mpg better on the highway.

Prices will be announced closer to the car’s arrival at dealerships this fall.

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Wired reports that the Crosstrek Hybrid “stands to be the most fuel-efficient, low-emission, all-wheel-drive hybrid crossover in the United States.”

Therefore: “Urban hipsters and Portlanders, rejoice.”