Subaru XV

The interiors of the XV are well equipped with comfortable seats, decent material, and upgraded gadgets. The cabin has an active lifestyle appeal with orange contrast stitching on the seats and door cards paired with the grey upholstery. The dashboard is also decked up with soft-touch trim, accentuating the appeal. The standard tilt or telescopic adjustable steering wheel is placed at the optimal driving position, the one-touch cruise control maintains a steady cruising speed, and USB and Auxiliary audio input jack are there for the passengers’ convenience. Other tidbits include dual-zone climate control, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, paddle shifters, and a rear-view camera. The XV offers plenty of room to store essentials, accessories, and extra luggage in terms of space. The interior highlights of the GT Edition include two-tone leather seats and floor mats, and a side-view monitor system.

Dimensionally, the XV is 4,465 mm long, 1,800 mm wide, and 1,615 mm tall, with a 2,665 mm long wheelbase. On the exterior, it holds the energy of a fun looking car that looks perfect for family rides. In terms of design, it doesn’t deviate far from that seen previously on the Impreza, but it features SUV-inspired touches such as matte black plastic cladding, a bolder-looking grille, and bigger, chunkier, dual-tone 17-inch wheels. It is equipped with halogen headlamps that are always pointing towards the right direction for better visibility. Its multi-reflector fog lights reflect less glare in the fog for safety, and aerodynamically designed power-folding mirrors complete its sporty looks. Subaru XV colour options are Sunshine Orange, Dark Blue Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Pure White, Dark Grey Metallic, and Crystal Black Silica. Speaking about the XV GT Edition, it is based on the 2.0i-P trim and features a number of aesthetic enhancements for creating a difference. These include a full exterior package consisting a front and rear bumper lip extensions, side skirts, a sportier roof spoiler, fan blade design alloys, and a black rear diffuser.

Subaru XV is based on the brand’s newly developed global architecture, which means its handling has been improved along with the enhancements in the suspension setup. For this, the XV is employed with McPherson strut at the front and double-wishbone at the rear, resulting in better handling. It comes with an electric power-assisted steering wheel that aids in good handling. The minimum turning circle of 10.8 m is also appreciatable and acceptable. But for the off-roading, the X-Drive system offers good support at low and medium speeds, but it lags at fast speed.

Under the metal skin, all three variants incorporate the same FB20 2.0-litre direct-injected NA four-pot boxer gasoline engine. The mill generates 156 PS of maximum power at 6,000 rpm and 196 Nm of peak torque at 4,000 rpm, with drive going to the road through a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission and a symmetrical all-wheel-drive system with X-Mode. The claimed fuel economy is 7 Litres per 100 km. Going by these numbers, the XV is a moderate mini-SUV that gives adequate power and fuel-efficient ride.

The smartly designed XV also ensures the passengers’ safety during the drives. Its smart engineering, exceptionally rigid structure, and hi-tech technologies are capable enough to keep dangerous impact energy away from the occupants. Standard safety features include the SRS airbag system (front, front-side, and curtain), ABS with EBD and brake assist, vehicle dynamic control, and rear Isofix child seat anchors. The braking setup comprises ventilated and solid disc brakes for front and rear ends, respectively. 

Subaru XV crossover shines with its fuel-efficient Boxer engine and delivers a good performance output, but still, the ride quality and refinement are weak at all speeds. It is well suited for Subaru hardcore fans.