Subaru's XV faced a pretty tough challenge when it roared onto the roads in 2012
View gallery Subaru XV 2.0 SE Premium Lineartronic
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Subaru's XV faced a pretty tough challenge when it roared onto the roads in 2012.
Charged with broadening the Japanese car maker’s appeal to a much wider audience it was up against pretty stiff competition in the mainstream compact crossover marketplace.
Previously Subaru had been most noted for it’s performance models such as the Impreza, now known as the WRX and due to reappear on UK roads any time now, or its worthy, no-nonsense family wagons such as the Forester and Outback.
In typical crossover fashion, the XV aims to combine the sporty styling and handling of the Impreza with the practicality of the likes of the Outback and has, it would seem, got off to a reasonable start.
“The Subaru XV has proven popular with buyers looking for a rugged but stylish compact crossover that can take on all conditions,” said UK managing director Paul Tunnicliffe.
For 2014 a number of tweaks have been made aimed at improving refinement, ride, handling, safety and cabin quality.
The exterior styling remains unchanged save for a couple of new colour options, but the sporty and rugged looks are still bang up to date with a muscular stance, plenty of road clearance, prominent roof bars and chunky black cladding all suitably robust looking. Some very distinctive alloys add the finishing touch.
The choice of power trains has been streamlined, though, and the 1.6-litre petrol-powered version is no longer available.
That leaves 2.0-litre diesel or petrol options paired with a six-speed manual transmission or the 2.0-litre petrol-powered automatic which I drove – a combination which provided some punchy acceleration and decent pace.
The official stats say it’ll take you 10.7 seconds to get from a standstill to 62mph, but pulling away from the lights it feels quicker and there is a pretty good response when you ask for a little more zip on the move.
To get the best out of it though, you will need to rev the engine hard as the six-speed Lineartronic transmission has a tendency to become hesitant if you are less than decisive with the gas pedal.
There’s always the option to intervene with the steering wheel mounted flappy paddles if you think it’s being too sluggish – but I only had to resort to this a couple of times during a week behind the wheel.
Subaru’s acknowledged expertise in all-wheel drive technology is one of the XV’s unique selling points and, unlike other crossovers, it is only available as a 4x4.
This, coupled with the extra ground clearance, offers some light off-road potential and should stand you in good stead in the winter but on a day-to-day basis it also ensures impressively solid grip and traction.
Add Subaru’s equally renowned handling and improvements to the power steering, and the XV is an enjoyable and engaging car to drive with impeccable body control and road manners.
The pay-off for this, though, is a firm ride and despite some modifications to the suspension, you will clatter a little over potholes and rough surfaces.
Upgrades to the soundproofing have been more successful and unwanted engine and road noise in the cabin is kept down to acceptable levels.
Many of the interior fixtures and fittings have also been spruced up and the quality does feel better, although there is still a lot of hard, scratchy plastic around.
The leather upholstery on my SE Premium trim car looks and feels the part and everything seems solidly put together and more than capable of standing up to the rigours of family life.
Space is also more than adequate for the family with good head and legroom all-round, room enough for three in the back, plenty of oddment storage and a good-sized boot.
Heating and aircon controls are large and straightforward to use but the infotainment/navigation system on this range-topper has quite a small touchscreen – with small icons and fiddly buttons making it hard to use on the move.
Despite this, the kit levels are impressive with all models getting dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera, push-button start, Bluetooth connectivity and automatic lights and wipers.
There is no compromise on safety, either, with ABS brakes, seven airbags and stability control all standard and the XV not only boasts the top five-star Euro-NCAP crash test rating but also an impressive 90 percent safety rating for child occupants.
Overall, the improvements mean the XV is still very much carrying the fight to its crossover rivals, and will especially appeal to those who insist on the extra peace of mind of all-wheel drive.
FAST FACTS
Subaru XV 2.0 SE Premium Lineartronic
Price: £25,495
Mechanical: 150ps, 1,955cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving four wheels via 6-speed automatic gearbox
Max speed: 116mph
0-62mph: 10.7 seconds
Combined mpg: 42.8
Insurance group: 22
CO2 emissions: 153g/km
Bik rating: 23%
Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles
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