Driver-assist systems are becoming more popular every year, so much so that many vehicles, including the Subaru Forester and Ascent, have them standard on every trim. Dubbed EyeSight, Subaru’s driver-assist system isn’t standard on the Crosstrek, but it’s available on the base and Premium trims (unless you opt for the six-speed manual transmission) and is standard on the Limited and Hybrid trims. But what if you don’t want a costlier higher trim? Should you tack on the extra cost of EyeSight? If it’s in your budget, absolutely, and here’s why.
EyeSight consists of four driver-assist features: adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist with sway warning, emergency automatic braking, and pre-collision throttle management. The automatic braking system warns the driver of a possible frontal collision and can apply full braking force if required to avoid or lessen the impact of a collision; the throttle management system reduces engine power to help minimize the impact.
If you plan to purchase the base model with the optional CVT, EyeSight will cost you an additional $845. That’s not bad—less than adding a Thule crossbar set and cargo carrier from Subaru. If you want the Premium trim, EyeSight will set you back $1,395 because it’s packaged with blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and steering-responsive foglights (or $2,395 with a power moonroof added to the package). That’s still a good deal considering you’re getting three additional safety features.
Our long-term Crosstrek isn’t equipped with EyeSight, but I’ve driven various Subarus with it, including the Crosstrek Hybrid and Outback 3.6R. When the emergency automatic braking system saved me from a fender bender, I quickly realized this feature is worth its weight in gold. If your daily commute involves the highway, adaptive cruise control should be a no-brainer. It will make your drive easier, less stressful, and safer. Lane keep assist won’t keep you centered in a lane like other systems do, but it will warn and nudge you over if you stray out of it.
Folks who are hesitant about these technologies shouldn’t be. First-time users will notice warning beeps and messages in the instrument panel for the lane keep system or possible collisions. The adaptive cruise control system beeps when it senses a vehicle ahead and beeps again if that vehicle moves over or changes lanes (I could do without the beep). Additionally, the emergency automatic braking system never falsely activated, and it braked for me the one time I needed it. The nudges from the lane keep system are minimal and don’t interfere with driving.
Adding EyeSight to your base or Premium Crosstrek can possibly save you from one of the worst things that can happen in a vehicle: a collision.
Read more about our 2018 Subaru Crosstrek:
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