Subaru XV, The Most Authentic Compact SUV On The Market

The concept of a compact SUV has evolved a lot since the Nissan Qashqai debuted it in 2006. To this day, each product is purposely developed to be such a vehicle, but they are not compact-based SUVs at all. They are not, with the exception of the Subaru XV, quite a  rare bird.

This unknown SUV is one of the star products of the Japanese manufacturer in our market. Since 2017 the second generation, completely new and based on the new Subaru Impreza, also a newcomer, has been on sale.

Adventurous design

Aesthetically, the Subaru XV fulfills everything that is expected of an SUV. This is a set higher on the ground (22 centimeters), bars on the roof and plastic protective elements along the underside of the entire vehicle. The new bumpers – more camper – add 5 millimeters of extra length compared to the Impreza.

Another difference of the XV is the new front grill, larger and with less chrome. The designs of the alloy wheels are also different, painted in black and of 17 inches in any case. In total there are three finishes: Sport, Sport Plus and Executive,  the first of which is the most aesthetically concise.

The Subaru XV with Sport trim lacks the LED headlights, tinted glass, and even the roof bars. All this equipment is included from the next level, although the top of the range adds a few more extras for almost the same price.

Correct room

Once we go to the cabin we can only reproach the null distinction between the XV and the Impreza. There are no elements that give away that we are in the SUV and not in the compact. In its favor is the high quality of fittings and materials, very close to premium products that double in price.

Being a state-of-the-art product, the Subaru XV has the latest on-board technology and connectivity. In fact, the units destined for our country do not have an integrated browser, so our smartphone via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remains the only option .

For the tech-savvy, the XV offers a 6.5- or 8-inch center screen depending on trim, as well as a top screen displaying vehicle settings and climate information. Finally, in the dashboard there is a small color screen for the on-board computer.

Engines

At a mechanical level, the Subaru XV range is structured on two gasoline engines. In both cases we speak of a four-cylinder boxer block, 1.6 and 114 hp or 2.0 and 156 hp. In any case, it is combined with permanent all-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Subaru’s current transmission is known as the Lineartronic. In a continuous variator change that has a series of preselected gears, six in the case of the less powerful and seven in the 2.0. In both engines, emissions exceed 120 g / km of CO2, so you have to pay a registration tax of 4.75%.

Prices

At the moment, Subaru maintains a juicy promotion in all its models, which in the XV seemed that it would be due to its arrival on the market that has been active for several months. We are talking about a discount of 1,400 euros for the most basic finish and 1,700 in the rest of the versions. It’s not bad at all.

Given its juicy equipment, it is hard to believe that the Subaru XV is available from 21,900 euros that the 1.6 Sport costs. The other two finishes cost 2,000 and 3,000 euros extra with the same engine.

However, only the Sport Plus and Executive finishes are available with the more powerful engine, for 26,200 and 28,200 euros respectively.