Subaru XV Gearbox & Transmission Problems

I agree, that’s not something you should have to live with, and being told that you should is a sign that Subaru can’t sort the problem. I would persist in talking with head office and don’t mince words when you’re talking to them.

No, you shouldn't live with it, take it back to the dealer and have them fix it. It could be that it needs the oil replacing.

The XV is underpowered, as well as having a very dozy CVT. If you are that worried I would definitely suggest a brand swap to something with a regular automatic.

Subaru's constant all wheel drive is not considered true 4x4 or 4WD as it does not have a selectable low-range option in the transmission. Power is divided evenly between all four wheels through a constantly-driven centre differential, which is why all wheel drive is considered different to 4x4.

You may have something loose or worn in the driveline – such as a driveshaft – that is causing the thump. Looseness or wear means the drive from the engine doesn’t travel smoothly to the wheels, and that’s why you hear a noise and feel a clunk when you engage a gear. A check underneath should easily spot the problem.

But you may also be dealing with a worn transmission with internal wear. The Subaru XV uses a CVT transmission which, while a very efficient design, is also known for developing wear. This isn’t just a Subaru problem, either; many makes and models with CVTs have the same issues. CVTs are definitely stronger than they used to be, but they’re not always the most robust type of transmission.