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Whether or not you’re a Subaru fan, you have to hand it to the automaker for making some of the most capable, easy-to-use AWD cars in the market. It doesn’t matter if you drive a Subaru Forester or a Crosstrek, any of the brands’ all-wheel-drive-clad cars can get you to almost anywhere you need to go on or off the road without needing to switch gears or switch tires.

One video we found on YouTube clearly showcased Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive capabilities when the one and only Ezra Dyer, from Car and Driver, decided to pull cars out of a ditch during a heavy snowstorm with his trusty Crosstrek Hybrid.

Apparently, the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid can tow in the snow

Something to keep in mind before watching this video is that the 2014 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid has a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds, so we wouldn’t expect much out of it when it comes to towing other vehicles, but we were wrong. The video starts out with Dyer attaching the towing equipment to the tow hook on the rear bumper of the car and then telling the camera that he’s going to see if his Crosstrek can rescue some of the cars caught in the “rare snowstorm in North Carolina.”

The video then cuts to Dyer driving around and trying to find cars that are stuck in the snow. At one point, he pulls up to a group of cars stuck in the snow and says, “Here’s a mess!” Part of that mess happened to be a UPS delivery truck, which Dyer proceeds to attach his tow strap to and then hops in the Subaru.

In an amazing feat and plenty of wheel spin mixed with engine revving, the sturdy little Subaru actually pulled the delivery truck out of the ditch and all the way up a hill. What’s even more amazing is watching the Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system work its magic in finding the best traction in the snow.

The Crosstrek Hybrid pulled out other cars with hesitation

After pulling the UPS truck up the hill, Dyer and his Crosstrek then proceeded to pull out a Mercury, a large blue van, and most surprisingly, a Toyota FJ Cruiser (really?). Dyer himself summed up the whole event best when he said:

“We towed a UPS truck up a hill, further than an F-350 got it. And probably about five other cars, we sent them on their way with a Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid! I don’t know what else is going on in America today, but I would bet that this is the only spot where a hybrid was performing vigilante tow truck rescue with such good effect.”

The video is a testament to a Subaru’s durability

While some may consider the Crosstrek the runt of the Subaru SUV family – next to the Outback, Forester, and Ascent – this video (filmed in 2018) is a testament to any Subaru’s durability and capability. Keep in mind that the 2014 Crosstrek Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter engine mated to an electric motor for a combined 160 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque, which is not a lot of power.

Additionally, the hybrid setup is mated to a CVT, which doesn’t seem like the ideal transmission for towing, but it sure seemed up to the job. Dyer also commented that the Subaru was driving on the stock all-season tires, so we can only imagine what it would be able to do with a proper set of winter tires.

A still photo of the Subaru Crosstrek towing an FJ Cruiser in the snow
A still photo of the Subaru Crosstrek towing an FJ Cruiser in the snow | YouTube/Ezra Dyer

Also, in case you find yourself wanting one of these older Crosstrek Hybrids after watching this video, we won’t blame you. We’ve already checked used-car prices and you can now find them for a wallet-welcoming $14,000 or so. You’re welcome.  

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