Road test review: Subaru XV

Tuesday, 24 March 2020

SUBARU XV

Base price: $36,490

Powertrain and economy: 2.0-litre petrol boxer four, 115kW/196Nm, CVT automatic, AWD, combined economy 7.0L/100km, CO2 161g/km (source:RightCar).

The Subaru XV is essentially a jacked up Impreza wagon, motivated by a 2.0-litre boxer paired with a CVT.

Vital statistics: 4465mm long, 1800 wide, 1615mm high, 2665mm wheelbase, luggage capacity 310/765 litres, 17-inch alloy wheels.

We like: Interior quality, CVT among the best of its kind

The CVT is one of the better ones out there and, paired with all-wheel drive, makes for 'not awful' off-the-line go as well as the ability to go off-road.

We don't like: Asthmatic engine, difficult to discern its place in the line-up

The XV is Subaru's compact SUV, based on the Impreza platform. It's essentially a lifted Impreza hatch, although Subaru won't say that. So, how is it?

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both included in the infotainment system as standard.

What's new about it?

The XV has been around in its current state for a wee while, with a bigger update on the cards for later this year/early next, including a hybrid option. For now, changes consist of a better EyeSight system and minor exterior tweaks.

The next XV update should include a hybrid powertrain option as well.

* Subaru details upcoming electrified Impreza

* Road test review: Subaru Levorg GT-S

* 2017 Tokyo Motor Show review: All the weird, wild and wacky concepts**

How does it all come together?

In the meantime, we're cruising in the XV Premium. It makes do with a 115kW/196Nm boxer-four, sending power to all four wheels via Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive system.

A CVT is present here, which will probably make some of you click away, but it's actually quite a good one. It's quick to shift ratios and not awfully sluggish off the line. Comparing it to the one in the Honda Civic RS Sport Sensing we had a few weeks ago, Subaru's implementation is easily the pick. However, Honda's boosted engine is easily the better donk.

The new EyeDrive driver assist system works well, using two cameras mounted on the windscreen, behind the rearview mirror. It's gentle to stop, although it (like many of these systems currently on the market) doesn't like to start again unless the driver prompts it with a stab of throttle. The lane-keep assist is a bit nudgy, however.

The interior of the XV is nice, considering the cost of the XV. Plenty of soft leather to cushion your bum while the steering wheel is, in my opinion, one of the best in the segment. Everything is easy to reach and the switches have a good, tactile feel to them.

Interior space is good too, with plenty of boot space and enough rear seat legroom for an average adult. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both included in the infotainment system as standard.

For reference, the Premium adds features like blind-spot detection, lane-change assist, high-beam assist, rear cross traffic alert, heated wing mirrors, an electric sunroof and heated front seats.

Any other cars I should consider?

The $41,490 XV is often compared to the Mazda CX-3, which can be had in Takami trim for $41,695. It's just a front-driver though, as opposed to the AWD of the XV. Honda's closest SUV would be the HR-V, though if you can do without leather seats, we'd recommend the $36k AWD model, which gets the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine.

You can also get the CR-V Limited 7, which starts at $40k and offers seven leather seats. Kia offers the Seltos Limited for $42k while Hyundai will give you the keys to the turbocharged 1.6-litre Kona Limited for $43k.