Good looks; nicely tuned chassis for on-road dynamics; value-packed
Front seats could do with more lateral support
Subaru kicks-off 2012 with a new chapter – the XV sub-compact SUV. Nicely styled, keenly priced from $28,490 and boasting the hallmark Subaru quality and technology, the Subaru XV has what it takes to command attention in this highly competitive market segment.
In fact just the Subaru badge and the cachet that brings in terms of all-wheel-drive chassis technology means buyers in this segment should immediately place the XV on their shopping list. Throw-in standard features like the latest third-generation 2.0-litre Boxer engine with fuel-saving auto start/stop, seven airbags and a reversing camera…well the Subaru XV looks tasty to say the least.
Subaru XV Overview
With its clever engineering, Subaru XV gets to the core of today’s compact SUV market. It’s not SUV-like - in fact Subaru’s new styling direction with the XV is more passenger car than SUV – and the low centre of gravity delivers more car-like driving dynamics. But, being a Subaru, the XV runs the world-acclaimed Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive and high ground clearance for when you want to head off sealed roads.
“The XV appeals to people who enjoy expansive lifestyles. People who are active and enjoy new experiences. They don’t want to drive a large SUV, instead they demand car like ride and handling, and convenient cutting edge technology, to enable a fast paced adventurous lifestyle with comfort,” explained Nick Senior, Subaru Australia MD. “The XV meets all those needs, with the lowest centre of gravity in its class, combined with the highest ground clearance, delivering a driving experience which offers car like handling and SUV capability.”
But to those mountain bikers, bushwalkers and others in the Subaru XV demographic, Car Showroom would add family buyers. Mums on the school run are understandably shy of full-size SUVs, lugging all that hardware and struggling to park them…and Subaru XV overcomes those issues while catering for whatever the weekend offers.
Subaru XV is available in three model grades – entry-level 2.0i, mid-range 2.0i-L and range-topping 2.0i-S. The 2.0i-L gains satellite navigation, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear-lever, electric sunroof, dual-zone air, sliding centre console and rear privacy glass while the fully-equipped 2.0i-S goes further with leather trim, heated front seats (drivers’ seat with electronic adjustment), alloy pedals, HID headlights, rear-illuminated speedometer, silver roof rails, indicators in the exterior mirrors and extra chrome trim.
2012 Subaru XV Range:
2.0i 6-speed manual $28,490
2.0i Lineartronic CVT $30,990
2.0i-L 6-speed manual $31,990
2.0i-L Lineartronic CVT $34,490
2.0i-S 6-speed manual $34,490
2.0i-S Lineartronic CVT $36,990
Subaru XV Engine
Development of Subaru’s third-generation FB20 four-cylinder, 2.0-litre Boxer engine focused on enhanced fuel efficiency and stronger torque in low and mid range. It’s Euro5 compliant for exhaust emissions (lowered friction and improved combustion efficiency) and uses standard 90RON fuel.
Among the changes Subaru Spotters will notice changes inside – roller rockers, 18 per cent lighter pistons, 20 per cent lighter diagonally-split conrods, plastic intake manifold, a timing chain, Active valve Control System (AVCS for both intake and exhaust plus the bore is narrower (down from 92mm to 84mm) and the stroke is longer (up from 75mm to 90mm).
Maximum power is 110kW at 6200rpm and peak torque of 196Nm arrives at 4200rpm.
Combined cycle fuel consumption is rated 7.3l/100kms (six-speed manual) and 7.0l/100kms (CVT automatic). This is aided by Auto Start/Stop (engine stops 0.5 seconds after halting and restarts in 0.35 seconds) – Subaru reckons cars are stopped for up to 30 per cent of travel time in rush hours (drivers in Sydney and Melbourne might think that’s conservative).
Subaru XV The Interior
The quality synonymous with the Subaru brand is obvious when you climb inside the Subaru XV – evident with the soft-touch trim for the dashboard, door trims etc and the high quality material (cloth or leather). And – also typical Subaru – the driving position (combination of seat and pedal position plus the rake/reach adjustable steering wheel) is a confidence-inspiring sporty feel).
Gauges have a nice metallic look and both front and rear seats felt spacious (helped by the longish 2635mm wheelbase) although we would have liked sportier front seats with more lateral support.
To the left of the driver is the colorful Multi-Function Display (MFD) 4.3-inch screen which includes audio and satellite navigation display plus other handy information such as the amount of fuel saved when stationary with the Auto Start/Stop turning of the engine.
Rear seat accommodation is good with a nice flat floor for enhanced legroom feel.
Out-back is 310-litres of cargo space.
Subaru XV Exterior & Styling
Subaru’s stylists have certainly sharpened their pencils with the XV and upcoming Liberty – both very modern designs. We liked the Subaru XV when we first saw it at the Tokyo Motor Show and now on-road it’s still very impressive.
It’s also very aerodynamic – the drag CD an impressive 0.329.
The front-end looks bold with the hallmark Subaru grille, sharp ‘hawkeye’ headlights and aero fog lights. From the side, the standout 17-inch alloy wheels, curved roof and large six-window glasshouse combine for a trendy look which has been lacking from Subaru.
And the rear looks great with an integrated roof spoiler and distinctive lights.
Subaru XV On The Road
Subaru launched the XV in northern Tasmania and threw-in some excellent rural roads up and down the mountains with some nice dirt roads along the way. In a full day we drove both an entry-level 2.0i with the Lineartronic CVT automatic and a six-speed manual version of the range-topping 2.0i-S.
First things first – the chassis. With the Subaru XV, Subaru has nailed the combination of a low centre of gravity for on-road dynamics and high ground clearance for off-road agility.
Over the twists and curves the Subaru was very impressive – virtually car-like in its flatness (minimal body roll), turn-in and balance. And on the dirt, Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive rose to the occasion, keeping things balanced – special mention foe the calibration of the Vehicle Dynamics Control which showed a surprisingly low level of intervention (the sort of response appreciated by enthusiast drivers).
The 2.0-litre Boxer engine made all the right noises and delivered reasonable response (although in the circumstances we preferred the more instantaneous throttle feel of the six-speed manual over the CVT).
And the usual high-quality Subaru engineering was obvious with minimal wind and mechanical noise even at high speeds.
Subaru XV Challenges
Our day in those two Subaru XV models encompassed twisty rural roads and our only real complaint after that extended drive was the front seats which were a little lacking in lateral support when tackling high-speed corners.
Subaru XV The Competition
Toyota RAV4 has historically been the best-selling compact SUV (until last year when Subaru’s own Forester knocked it off number one possie). More SUV-like than the Subaru XV and better equipped for rugged off-road action, the RAV4 employs a powerful 125kW/224Nm 2.4-litre engine. All-wheel-drive RAV4 starts at $31,990.
Nissan X-TRAIL finished 2011 as the third best-seller in this segment. We like the X-TRAIL for its family-user-friendliness, and large cargo area. Nissan’s 102kW/198Nm 2.0 almost matches Subaru XV’s 110kW/196Nm but all-wheel-drive prices start at $32,490.
Hyundai’s ix35 was number four last year. All-wheel-drive versions start at $31,990 (Elite, which scores the 130kW/227Nm 2.4-litre engine. We like the tough looks of the Hyundai ix35 and it’s nice to drive.
Volkswagen’s Tiguan scores highly with enthusiast drivers for its on-road dynamics and boasts Volkswagen’s world-acclaimed quality and technology. Powerful engines too – the starting price AWD Tiguan, the 132TSI ($33,990) running Volkswagen’s 132kW/280Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre.
Nissan’s British-sourced Dualis is nicely put together, has lots of interior space and is nice to drive. Nissan’s 102kW/198Nm 2.0-litre virtually matches Subaru XV’s 110kW/196Nm but the Dualis in all-wheel-drive is only sold in range-topping Ti specification (from $31,890).
Subaru XV Verdict
In the compact SUV segment, on the one hand Subaru offers the top-selling Forester – a good sized wagon and now along comes the XV which takes the more modern ‘crossover’ design route with a very stylish execution. Add to that a low centre of gravity for sharp on-road dynamics and its makes for a very complete package.
‘Spec-adjusted’ is a term used widely in the automotive industry to calculate the value of a vehicle when you consider its inclusions and it’s in this area that Subaru has been very clever with the XV. In short you get a lot of car for your coin in all three Subaru XV models.
So when you’re shopping for your next compact SUV make sure you compare apples with apples – because the Subaru XV leaves many rivals looking under-done.
