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Subaru XV

Revised SUV sits on a new platform as brand aims to give sales a shot in the arm MODEL TESTED: Subaru XV 2.0i SE Premium Lineartron­ic PRICE: £28,510 ENGINE: 2.0-litre flat-four, 154bhp

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SUBARU’S XV has been around for six years now, but it’s fair to say the 4x4 hasn’t exactly been a sales success. The Japanese brand is hoping to address that with this revised version. Priced from £28,510 in top-spec SE Premium guise, can the XV see off the cheaper Mitsubishi and Skoda?

Design & engineerin­g

THE updates to the Subaru aren’t exactly obvious, with minor tweaks to the styling inside and out, some improved interior materials and extra refinement the things you’ll notice at first.

Even though the looks don’t show an obvious evolution, beneath the skin, the XV has moved to the latest Global Platform, which will underpin the brand’s newest models in the future. Yet despite this more advanced engineerin­g underneath, there’s Macpherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear axle to match the Mitsubishi’s.

As with the Eclipse Cross, the latter is to facilitate four-wheel drive (there’s no two-wheel-drive XV model, unlike with the Mitsubishi), so Subaru’s symmetrica­l all-wheel-drive system features here.

The XV is always four-wheel drive and can split the torque between the axles depending on how much traction is available. Another traditiona­l Subaru feature is the 2.0-litre flat-four ‘boxer’ engine, which produces a competitiv­e 154bhp, but a less impressive 196Nm of torque. As with the Mitsubishi, it’s linked to a CVT automatic gearbox. Called ‘Lineartron­ic’ here, it too has artificial ratio steps to simulate the characteri­stics of a convention­al automatic, but reverts to being a CVT when you go to full throttle.

Inside, those material improvemen­ts are just noticeable. There’s a higher-quality feel than in the Eclipse Cross, even if the cabin isn’t as spacious. The materials are just as robust, but plusher and more upmarket. It’s still not a design masterpiec­e or as attractive or premium as the Karoq’s, but it’s not bad.

This extends to the level of kit on offer. Parking sensors aren’t included, but you do get a reversing camera. Subaru’s clever Eyesight safety tech also features, as do adaptive cruise, heated leather seats, keyless entry and go, DAB and, importantl­y, sat-nav.

Driving

ALL three cars are likely to spend most of their time on the road, so comfort and refinement are arguably the most crucial factors here. And the XV shades the Eclipse Cross. Its chassis flows better, without the Mitsubishi’s lumpy damping. It feels smoother over harsher bumps and more rolling surfaces.

The steering is also nicer and more direct, plus the lower XV controls its body better in bends. No crossover is all that great to drive, but the XV delivers some dynamic merits and acceptable refinement. Yet it suffers from the same problems as the CVT Eclipse if you squeeze the throttle to the stop. The revs rise sharply, as does the drone in the cabin.

But even when cruising around, the XV’S CVT transmissi­on isn’t quite as good as the Mitsubishi’s. It stutters more, surging slightly on a constant throttle as the box struggles to cope with your demands; it has more of the old-school ‘rubber band’ elastic feel. Performanc­e in our tests was good, as the XV sprinted from 0-60mph in 8.7 seconds. The two CVT cars weren’t able to record in-gearr figures, but were evenly matched between 30 and 50mph and 50 and 70mph, with decent accelerati­on.

Off-road performanc­e should be strong in both Japanese models, too, thanks to their foururwhee­l-drive systems and various modes to boost ability away from the tarmac.

Practicali­ty

THE XV’S new platform means boot space increases by five litres over its predecesso­r, to 385 litres. This isn’t as big as the Eclipse Cross or Karoq in their most voluminous configurat­ions, but there’s still a respectabl­e level of space.

That’s true inside the cabin, too, although headroom is marginally tighter than in its rivals. There’s a good level of passenger space in the rear, but carrying five people will be easiest in the Skoda.

The driving position feels less Suv-like than with the Eclipse Cross, which sits you higher up, but visibility in the Subaru is even better than in the Mitsubishi and a match for the Skoda’s.

Ownership

SUBARU edged ahead of Mitsubishi with a fourth place finish in the makers’ chart of our Driver Power 2017 satisfacti­on survey, but its dealers didn’t feature because, as with its Japanese rival, it doesn’t have anywhere near as many franchises as Skoda, for example.

Safety tech is great, though; a key factor for any family 4x4. Subaru has developed its own Eyesight system, which uses stereo cameras and provides adaptive cruise, collision warning with autonomous braking, lane keep and blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert. With seven airbags it matches the Mitsubishi’s full five-star Euro NCAP rating.

Running costs

IF you’re a private buyer, the XV’S poorer residual values, according to our experts, might be something to think about. It’s expected to retain just 36.3 per cent of its purchase price, which means depreciati­on of £18,155.

This compares with 42.1 per cent and an impressive 51 per cent for the Mitsubishi and Skoda respective­ly, meaning depreciati­on of £16,160 and just £13,935 for the Eclipse Cross and Karoq.

Still, if you’re buying on finance, the drop in value may be less of an issue and the deals (see Through the Range, opposite) may be more important to you.

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 ??  ?? Rear headroom is slightly tighter than in rivals
Rear headroom is slightly tighter than in rivals
 ??  ?? Fold back seats, and boot is way behind Karoq’s
Fold back seats, and boot is way behind Karoq’s

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