New look for rugged all-paw SUV
All-new SUV aims to keep the firm’s sales success story rolling
Subaru’s modern portfolio makes its famed World Rally Championship exploits feel like a very long time ago. Niche highperformance Subarus may now be a rarity, but since the company ramped up its SUV focus in 2012, its sales records have been broken each year.
Subaru’s latest SUV, the XV, is significant because it is built on the Subaru Global Platform, which will underpin the car maker’s important wave of new models, including the new version of the Impreza.
The XV is new from the ground up, with this fresh platform, revised engines and transmission, and a new design inside and out in a bid to make it compete in a tough class in a way that the previous model never could.
Inside, it gets a much-needed update that ditches the button-heavy dashboard for a slicker touchscreen infotainment set-up.
Dynamically, the revisions have made the car much sharper to drive than its predecessor. Our time with the car was restricted to a short test track and an off-road route only, so its on-road behaviour still awaits our judgment but, on track, the stiffer chassis makes it noticeably more agile than the previous model. Turn-in is crisper, body roll is well controlled and the steering has a good weight to it, although feedback remains limited.
The naturally aspirated 2.0-litre boxer engine has had 80% of its parts redesigned and is said to be more efficient. Although it feels more urgent in its acceleration, it still doesn’t feel quick and other SUVS – such as the Seat Ateca and Audi Q2 – are better to drive.
Subaru isn’t offering its previous best-selling 2.0-litre diesel variant with this car, so you have only this or a smaller 1.6-litre petrol to choose from. It’s a shame because the old diesel unit was our pick of the range and gutsier than this petrol.
Some XVS will have to drag their way through a muddy field at some point – and the SUV is very well prepared for that. It gets allwheel drive as standard and now has X-mode, which optimises the all-wheel drive system for slippery surfaces and includes hill descent control. It will go further off road than most rivals and that helps the XV stand out in a crowded class.
The XV is undoubtedly better than its predecessor but UK specification and pricing have yet to be announced so it’s hard to be definitive about where the XV lies among its current rivals. Its improved dynamics and genuine off-road ability give it a fighting chance of broader interest, although the absence of a diesel option could hamper its success.