With approximately 9 kilometres of dipping, climbing and undulating gravel; a friend's private cottage road is one of the most entertaining drives I've ever been lucky enough to experience. Negotiating the hairpin turns in a heart-hammering slide just inches from deep, primordial swamp water, then powering uphill into an off-camber turn through the the pine forest in an effort to bring it home in under eight minutes is one of the single great joys of summer.

A creative academic, Syd's a sworn Subaru loyalist. In fact, it was his unshaken faith in his little AWD Legacy that led to our first meeting way back in the late '90s: He pulled my newly purchased, firmly stuck Dakota out of a snowdrift in the middle of a blizzard.

There's always been one of the funky utilitarian wagons in one form or another in Syd's driveway, although lately he's been doing a little soul-searching over his beloved Subie's dismal fuel economy, and has actively begun researching alternatives.

But what vehicles out there have the same offbeat cachet of a Subaru? Sure, there are plenty of capable SUVs and CUVs, many of which boast terrific fuel consumption, however, none of them have quite the same character, and only the German brands have the same sort of status -- and command twice the price,or more. And who'd risk a costly vehicle on a rough gravel road? Volvo's XC70 scored high on character and offbeat respectability, but dropped the ball when it came to fuel economy.

Recently, I drove the new Subaru XV Crosstrek, a compact crossover that claims its target market is the under-35, upwardly mobile suburbanite. With a trifle more style than the traditional wagons, Subaru is hoping the XV Crosstrek will be a "conquest" vehicle, luring buyers away from the more "mainstream brands."

Photo: Lesley Wimbush

The XV Crosstrek features Subaru's much-lauded symmetrical AWD, as well as the highest clearance (yet, the lowest centre of gravity in the segment thanks to the low placement of its boxer engine).

Laser-sharp electric steering and great handling make this CUV delightfully tossable, and the available manual gearbox features short, well-spaced throws and a nice, firm clutch take-up.

The optional CVT is one of the better ones we've sampled without any noticeable "rubber-bandedness."

Best of all, equipped with this transmission the XV Crosstrek claims 8.2L/100 km and 6.0L highway fuel consumption.

With its tough plastic cladding, available rugged cargo flooring, and -- unlike competitors -- the ability to tow 680 kg, the XV Crosstrek would be wasted as a pavement pounder.

Upward urban mobility? I think not. This Subie's made for adventure.

Cottage road: I think you've met your match.