2015 Subaru XV review - Long-term owner

Multimedia and safety technology: 9/10

Solid Bluetooth system, which allows you to play music and take hands free calls. Display also notifies you of any safety issues such as oil, braking, engine temp.

Practicality: 10/10

Seats five people comfortably with okay storage in the boot. Rear cargo is small but decent for its size.

Driving: 10/10

Drives smoothly with, tiptronic coming in handy for hilly areas to make it more efficient to brake less and wear them out. Drives very well in mountainous areas like Mt Ruapehu so is fantastic for ski trips, hikes etc.

Running costs: 6/10

60ish litre tank, around 143 to fill the tank currently, and yearly service. Recently had to replace the media system, which was over $1K, and front brakes which were around 700.

Reliability: 9/10

Very reliable. Hasn’t broken down in the time I’ve had it and drives really well on open roads, as well as in the city due to its fairly compact size.