Style Drive

We test drive the new Subaru XV

Subaru’s second-generation XV small SUV will be priced from $27,990 before on-roads when it arrives in showrooms next month. The outgoing XV was priced from $26,740 with a manual gearbox, but the new model comes only with a CVT automatic gearbox (formerly a $2500 option), meaning a saving of $1250 over the old entry-level auto. The manual gearbox has been dropped from the XV range due to Australia’s overwhelming preference for self-shifters. The move follows Subaru also only offering its new Impreza model with a CVT auto. Popular in its segment as a genuine all-wheel-drive off-roader, the XV comes in four versions: the 2.0i for $27,990 (down $1250); mid-range 2.0i-l (up $100 to $30,340); 2.0i Premium (down $600 to $32,140) and range topping 2.0i-s (down $300 to $35,240). Also helping on the financial front is a much-improved service interval plan for the new model. The 2017 XV now only needs serviced every year or 12,500km, whereas before it was every six months/10,000km. The new XV features X-mode all-wheel-drive, excellent 220mm ground clearance, hill descent control, Apple Carplay and Android Auto and impressive crash-preventing Eyesight Driver Assist on all but the entry level grade. All models use a 115kw/196nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder boxer engine, while the XV is built on the all-new Subaru Global Platform (introduced on the new Impreza), bringing improvements to body and chassis rigidity and stability.