LACKING THE X FACTOR

The compact crossover struggles to stand out, writes Matt Allan

The original subaru xv was launched in 2012, but lived in the shadow of the iconic WRX STI and the solid sensible Forester in the Subaru stable.

Now we have the second generation, all-new and aiming to cash in on the ever-growing demand for SUVS.

The XV slots in under the Forester, which Subaru brands its “no-nonsense SUV”. The XV is its “compact crossover” and Subaru is targeting the likes of the Toyota CH-R, Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V with it.

However, unlike those models, which start at around £20,000, the XV starts north of £25,000. That sets it against the higher-end versions of those capable crossovers as well as the SUV behemoth the Nissan Qashqai and its larger rivals, so it needs to offer something special to justify the high price.

It does come well equipped. There’s a seven or eight-inch touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, automatic controls for things like climate control, high beam and wipers plus leather upholstery and 18-inch alloys.

There’s also a broad range of safety systems, including Subrau’s Eyesight which incorporates stereo cameras, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, pre-collision bra king and throttle management. However, rivals also feature many of the same features – Toyota’s Safety Sense and Mazda’s i-activesense, for example.

Subaru also argues that the XV offers more genuine off road ability. the firm has plenty of experience in making tough 4x4 systems and the XV sits higher than many rivals, with full-time four-wheel-drive and X-mode and hill descent control for tricky conditions.

It’s certainly a more rugged looking and feeling option than the Mazda, Honda, or Toyota which all feel very aimed at urban market. The old XV was forgettable to look at. The new one looks angry – “you spilt my pint of Castrol” sort of angry.

While the exterior is a big improvement on the old model, the revised interior still hasn’t moved the XV’S game on enough. Subaru talks about high-quality finishes and an elegant ambience but the materials feel brittle, the three-screen information setup is overly complicated and a lot of road noise bleeds into the cabin. It is at least more spacious for rear passengers than the CH-R and the new seats are comfortable.

CVT gearboxes get a terrible kicking in the motoring press and there’s a reason for that – they’re generally unpleasant to use. The one in the XV is actually one of the better examples. Subaru have engineered in ‘steps’ to make it feel like it has actual gears and as long as you’ re smooth and gentle it feels more like a normal slushy auto.

Push on too hard though and everything gets very shouty, with the 2.0-litre boxer engine making itself very obvious. Overall the engine’s a fairly noisy affair but it’s smooth in operation and with 154bhp and 145lb/ft it shifts the XV along nicely. Sadly, its 38mpg isn’t great in comparison with most rivals.

The steering is quick but light and there’s not much sensation and although it grips well there’s a lot of wallowing about in corners that you won’ t find in the likes of the CH-R.

The XV is a leftfield choice with interesting looks and some roughty-toughty running gear but in a very crowded market it’s hard to recommend. The CH-R, CX-3 and larger, similarly priced models such as the Qashqai, and Skoda Karoq offer more convincing higherquality packages for less.