Here I go again. Learn me Subaru hybrid.

I thought I had this solved. We were going to hold out as long as we could and buy a Lexus SUV hybrid. The end. Toyota edges in front time to time because the Camry looks awesome and is getting excellent reviews. Beyond that ???

However - swmbo is SMITTEN with the Subaru world. I don't know why. She especially loved the butched up little ones, Impreza or whatever. We'd agreed those were off the table because I a- didn't think they made a hybrid and b- if they did it was a garbage system. 

Then I saw a something that made me dig a little deeper. Turns out, Subaru's all-electric whatever is a Toyota with Subaru clothes on. I like Toyotas. FURTHER digging lead me to find out that Subaru DOES make a hybrid- and it's the right platform, the Crosstrek. It is powered by a 2.0l boxer backed by Toyotas hybrid system. 

This is where they lost me. What I know of Subarus is you stay away from boxer engines and their head gaskets, but that information has generally been restricted to turbo cars. This appears to be an n/a boxer, way newer than the ej series and....that's what I know. 

So, oh wise ones of grm- am I am idiot for pursuing a Crosstrek hybrid? Will I find out what makes a Subaru a Subaru? Do I need to buy Birkenstocks? 

I don't think Subaru's made a boxer engine ready to explode in stock form on the street since the turbo EJs. Stock FA20s and FA24s are pretty reliable in street use, it looks like the Crosstrek has the FB20 which is an economy-oriented variant of the FA20. The only common brand-wide Subaru weak point outside of the engines is the wheel bearings.

The largest issue Subaru has with their current engines is oil consumption, and owners who do not know how to check their oil.  Don't be that kind of owner and you're fine.