Subaru hit the nail on the head when it decided to name its first compact crossover model the “XV”. Just like today’s 15-year-old, the XV has a hip “fashion sense” (as opposed to the oddball look Subarus are known for) and packs abilities that should please modern urbanites.
Like an active teenager, the XV sports a rugged design thanks to its bold, Legacy-inspired grille and chunky bumpers (which Subaru claims have been specially shaped to improve aerodynamics). The plastic trim along the wheel arches even hints at the possibility of an off-road excursion or two.
Going off the beaten path, however, might be difficult since the 17-inch wheels look tiny (when framed against the sizeable arches), while the tenacious-looking Geolandar rubbers are actually the entry-level tyres in Yokohama’s off-road range. At any rate, this crossover’s 220mm of ground clearance should easily overcome the minor floods that often accompany our tropical thunderstorms.
A decent place to weather the storm is the XV’s cabin, which is spiffier than those of older Subaru models. The doors are still light, but the plastics have a surprisingly soft and high-quality feel, making the interior a welcome place to lounge around in.
Avoid the wife’s ire by using the Subaru XV’s reminders function.
Perfect for a youth who enjoys his gadgets, the XV’s infotainment system offers Bluetooth telephony and also allows users to wirelessly stream audio files from their mobile phone – a handy feature that was previously only available in premium makes such as Volvo and BMW.
Besides facilitating musical enjoyment, said system also enables the driver to set servicing intervals as well as programme reminders for important events such as birthdays and anniversaries. The 4.3-inch multi-function display atop the dashboard stays sharp in all lighting conditions, but the screen’s tiny size means that the reversing camera display isn’t easy to make out.
If you have a different sort of “making out” on your mind, the spacious rear bench should be more than adequate. Legroom is fairly good, but the centre floor hump does make things a bit tight for a third passenger. Headroom is given a boost by the “scooped” ceiling, although this detail only extends to the left and right sides of the rear bench.
Offering plenty of capacity for people to store their stuff is the boot, which has a volume of 380 litres with the rear seats in place and a maximum of 1,270 litres with the seats folded – that’s more than enough room to transport a full-sized mountain bike.
What the XV does need more of, however, is a greater degree of oomph under its bonnet. Subaru’s latest naturally aspirated 2-litre boxer engine, codenamed FB, has a lengthened stroke which permits the motor to deliver slightly more torque (5Nm to be exact) compared to the outgoing unit.
The 150bhp output (which matches the XV’s rival, the 2-litre Honda CR-V) is modest, but the powerplant retains its smoothness throughout the rev range. There’s even a lovely low-end boxer burble, but this note is unfortunately overcome by the CVT’s drone, which reverberates throughout the cabin.
Making up for this unwanted intrusion is the pair of paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, offering six “ratios”. The paddles also allow the driver to override the CVT at any time, even without selecting the transmission’s “manual” mode.
The importance placed by Subaru on fuel efficiency is further underscored by the standard stop/start system. The engine quietly cuts out when you come to a complete stop, but there’s still a palpable quiver that accompanies its restart. Luckily, the ride itself remains largely shudder-free (aside from some low-speed bumpiness), so long drives up north should be quite comfortable.
Equally agreeable is the car’s suspension, which strikes a good balance between ride and handling. There’s still some lean in corners, which results in bums sliding about in seats, but this is to be expected given the XV’s lanky frame.
Subaru’s first compact crossover is endowed with the right attributes: it’s modern, eco-friendly and has the high-tech features sought after by busy urbanites. Like all teenagers, though, the XV still has some maturing to do. But with the right “parental guidance”, this teen definitely has the potential to become a rugged young adult.
Subaru XV’s body roll is generally controlled, but the engine could use more low-end poke.
Subaru XV 2.0 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Flat-4, 16-valves
Capacity 1995cc
Bore x stroke 84mm x 90mm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Max power 150bhp at 6200rpm
Max torque 196Nm at 4200rpm
Power to weight 104.9bhp per tonne
Gearbox CVT with 6-speed override
Driven wheels All
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 11.8 seconds
Top speed 187km/h
Consumption 15.1km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Double wishbones, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / Rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Yokohama Geolandar G95
Size 225/55 R17
SAFETY
Airbags 7
Traction control ABS with VDC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4450mm
Width 1780mm
Height 1615mm
Wheelbase 2635mm
Kerb weight 1430kg
Turning circle 10.6m
BUYING IT
Price $154,800 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
WE SAY
+ Smooth drivetrain, well-sorted suspension, impressive infotainment
– CVT whine, bumpy ride at low speeds, inadequate sound insulation
Check out the latest Subaru XV
