r/XVcrosstrek

Hello everyone,

I’m currently at a crossroads and could use some "banana help" from the experts here. I am debating between two Subaru Crosstreks, both with approximately 60k km (37k miles) on the clock:

1. 2018 Crosstrek 2.0 Premium

2. 2023 Crosstrek "Base"

The price gap is roughly $6,000 USD. I have the budget for either, but I’m wary of the "instant depreciation" hit of a newer car vs. the potential maintenance/tech lag of a 5-year older model.

My Usage:

• Commute: ~80km (50 miles) daily round trip.

• Off-roading: Light-to-moderate trail driving. I already plan on adding a skid plate/bottom protector regardless of which one I get.

My specific questions:

1. Fuel Economy: Is there a noticeable real-world difference? They both have the 2.0L Boxer, but has the CVT tuning improved enough by 2023 to save me money on that 80km commute?

2. Cruise Control/EyeSight: How much better is the 2023 EyeSight system? For a daily 80km drive, is the lane-keep and adaptive cruise noticeably smoother in the newer model?

3. Off-Roading: Both have 8.7" clearance and X-Mode (I assume), but is there any structural or software difference that makes the 2023 more capable?

4. The "Trim vs. Year" Trade-off: Am I going to regret losing the Premium creature comforts (heated seats, leather-wrapped wheel, better sound system) by going for a 5-year newer "Base" model?

What should I be aware of in terms of reliability or "hidden" changes between these two years?

Thanks in advance

I see plenty of ~$100 dash-cams for sale online, but they look like a pain, such that you have to recharge their battery over and over, or have some dangling wire plugging in to your power outlet...? And I'm guessing you have to manually start and stop the recordings every time you get in and out of your car...? Is there a more convenient or classy way to do this?

By the way, I have the original/factory primitive stereo, and plan to replace it with something more modern with a screen, so I've been considering adding a back-up camera that could display on that screen. (IF that's a thing. I really don't know much about this stuff.)
I would have a professional installer do this, if the cost is something I can manage.
If I were to do that, I imagine I could have a rear-facing 'dash-cam' as well, which also seems smart...?
If I did all of that, then I imagine installing a front-facing dash-came should be done at the same time, but I'd guess we're now in ~$1,000+ territory, which seems hard to justify for a 2014 Crosstrek w/ 125K miles on it.

What should I do?
Thanks!

[P.S. "banana", for the posting rules]