The Subaru XV Is Attractive And Roomy

The Subaru XV is the firm’s effort to boost declining sales in Europe, by targeting the money-spinning small SUV segment. It’s made to target rivals such as Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai ix35 and Mitsubishi ASX. Two petrol engines are available; 1.6 and 2.0 litre petrol mated to a CVT or manual transmission and 2.0 litre diesel engine. All cars get Subaru’s renowned permanent AWD. Subaru has a reputation for building vehicles with good handling and the XV carries along the trend. It’s more fun than you might think off-road, thanks to the agile steering and firm body control. However, the ride is harsh and suspension is noisy.

The manual gearbox is better as the CVT is noisy and impassive. The well-established Outback and Forester have earned Subaru with a reputation for building reliable and tough SUV’s, so there’s no reason why the XV won’t be able to withstand daily driving. The plastics used inside look cheap but are vigorous. The XV has ample amount of safety kit fitted including, traction control, seven airbags, ABS, retractable pedals and a collapsible steering column. Subaru XV Crosstrek managed to get full five stars in it Euro NCAP crash test rating.

It also scored 90 per cent for child occupant protection. Once you lift the tailgate, you get a 380 litre boot, which is lesser than the Nissan Qashqai. Once the seats are folded the boot capacity increases to a healthy 1,270 litres. The doors open wide enough for easy access to the cabin while the four wheel drive gives the XV the ability to tackle bad weather conditions, much better than a conventional front wheel drive family SUV. When it comes to being economical and CO2 emissions, the XV 2.0D is on the same level as its competitors. It gives 50.4mpg and emits 146g/km of CO2. The 1.6 and 2.0 litre petrol models emit 151g/km and 160g/km respectively.

Subaru XV Crosstrek gets a small step up in efficiency but makes a big sacrifice in drivability. If you plan to make long journeys the diesel model will be cheaper, however both petrols provide a smart option. The Crosstrek has some flaws such as the noisy engines, cheap interior plastics and unsettled ride. However, the interior is spacious, rugged design and sharp handling. It also boasts sharp handling, sleek looks and plenty of space. Nevertheless, the ride is pleasantly surprising. Its peculiar styling eventually homes in but to pay more for a less functional vehicle doesn’t really make sense.