New Subaru XV 2021 gets Forester's 2.5-litre engine as part of facelift to better rival Kia Seltos

Subaru has revealed the facelifted version of the second-generation XV small SUV, and in good news for buyers looking for more grunt, it introduces a new 2.5-litre engine option.

Taken straight out of the fifth-generation Forester mid-size SUV, the naturally aspirated boxer four-cylinder unit produces 136kW of power and 239Nm of torque, putting the XV on par with most potent versions of the rivalling Kia Seltos, the 130kW/265Nm Sport+ and GT-Line.

For reference, the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated boxer four-cylinder engine currently in non-hybrid variants of the XV develops a much more modest 115kW/196Nm.

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Either way, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard alongside Subaru’s signature symmetrical all-wheel-drive system with active torque vectoring.

That said, it’s not all good news, as Subaru Australia has no plans to introduce the new 2.5-litre engine option as part of its facelifted XV range, which is expected to enter showrooms before the end of this year.

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Australian buyers won't get the chance to the buy an XV Sport.

There are, however, a couple of updates to the XV that should make it Down Under, including its tweaked front fascia, which features a redesigned grille and bumper.

Meanwhile, the XV’s suite of advanced driver-assist systems has been improved been with ‘advanced’ adaptive cruise control with steering assist.

In the US market, a new Sport grade joins the XV line-up, although Subaru Australia has no plans to introduce it. For reference, it adds chunkier wheelarch flares, specific 17-inch alloy wheels, gunmetal and yellow metallic trim, and StarTex upholstery with yellow stitching.

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The Sport grade also gets a dual-function version of the XV’s X-Mode system, with a Deep Snow/Mud setting joining the familiar Snow/Dirt mode. As a refresher, it adjusts the SUV’s electronics to optimise traction in low-grip environments.

Local pricing and specification for the facelifted XV will be announced closer to its launch. For reference, the pre-facelift model starts at $29,240 plus on-road costs and tops out at $36,530.