Subaru XV Video Reviews

The XV is such a good fit for the adventure lifestyle of Aussies, but is this key hybrid version the step into the future Subaru needs it to be? We're spending several months with this one to find out.

The Subaru XV Hybrid might not be quite what you're expecting - best to read this first, then.

Now, this is a fun looking car. The Subaru XV is known as a SUV version of the ever-popular Impreza, so it’s higher off the road and travels like an SUV but isn’t large, like its big sisters the Forester and Outback.It’s in the small SUV category and competes with cars like the Honda HR-V and Nissan Qashqai.I was in the second-from-top-of-the-range XV 2.0i Premium, which costs $32,670 before on-road costs, and drove it all through the city this week for a bunch of Sydney Fashion Week commitments.Here’s how it did with me and my family of four over seven days of testing.

One of the quiet achievers of Subaru's range, the small XV has grown over the years to be a vital third cog in the brand's SUV range behind the Forester and the Outback.

The Subaru XV has created quite a stir in the market since being introduced, it’s aggressively striking -- but is the beauty only skin deep? Some would argue this is an ugly car, but during our test drive more people expressed a love for the design and colour than loathed it – although apparently there is no middle ground.The tangerine orange is bright and garish, like most Lamborghinis, but that’s where the similarities end. It’s a hatchback on steroids, almost like a mini X6, but more bulldog WRX and a little less BMW.The interior is dark and functional. Being the L model, it has the black cloth interior with no heated seats, but it does have the full multi-function display unit and a comprehensive easy to use in-dash satellite and audio system, while the dual zone air-conditioning works very well.Boot space is a challenge if you have young kids and a pram/stroller of any “normal” size - definitely try before you buy.  Having said that, the boot height is perfect for loading, compared with most SUVs which require an extra lift and push to get the pram in.  If you are planning on taking the mountain bikes touring, best get a tow bar or roof rack. There is plenty of headroom in the rear for kids but I would be a little concerned for anyone taller than 6’ in the front seats – with a 5’ 9” frame, my head was almost touching the roof.Thankfully, none of the safety features were tested first hand, but just in case, it comes fully equipped with airbags in every conceivable corner and gets the full 5-star ANCAP crash rating. The rear reverse camera is clear, useful and unobtrusive.The Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) system works beautifully. Our driveway is awfully steep and twisty, challenging and overwhelming the finest of 4WDs, yet even with two opposing wheels in clear air, the XV simply selected the right mode and floated up the drive - impressive. The ABS proved to be a bit overzealous, kicking in when gently braking from tarmac to gravel and juddering the brakes unnecessarily.For the eco-friendly, the XV certainly packs plenty of features.  The multi-function LCD unit displays every conceivable measure; economy, VDC status, trip measurement, temperature, clock and many others.  The XV excels with fuel economy, I struggled to exceed 10 L/100km even with excessive spirited driving and frequent manual override. The in-dash satnav and audio system is wonderfully effective and high quality, providing a welcome relief and audio shield from the hideous engine and transmission noise. The only really annoying feature of this car is the engine Automatic Stop Start.  Every time you stop at a red light -which is every second block in Sydney- the engine shuts down.The real issue is when it starts up again, the whole car shakes for a split second and that irritating noise returns. Without doubt, I would permanently disable this feature.  I had a little trepidation about the 110kW engine output. The XV drove easily through city traffic, the automatic CVT transmission being smooth and slick between shifts -- almost unnoticeable. But as soon as it was on open road, that all changed. The CVT gearbox disappointed, struggling to cope with fluid driving conditions with open roads and tight bends proving too challenging, regularly switching gears at inappropriate moments and taking too long to respond. The moment -- and with it the corner -- had gone.After many days trying several different driving modes and styles, I settled on the best way to get the most out of the CVT.  Leave it in “Drive” mode and simply use the flappy paddle to “downshift” a couple of times before the bend, the CVT switches to manual mode (for five seconds) and provides engine braking, then accelerate as normal out of the bend, after which CVT switches back to drive mode. Works perfectly!The chassis is impressively capable for a crossover firmly planted to the road, even when I turned off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system and deliberately unsettled it on wet, twisty and bumpy country lanes. The tyres are a low enough profile to provide excellent grip as well as comfort and low noise.But something was missing – the wail of a tuned engine!  At best the XV sounded like a muted diesel with extra transmission whines. It’s moments like these you remember how important the soundtrack is as background music to a car’s dynamics.

Picking the eyes out of the car market has become an art form. Subaru is aiming to carve a niche in the cluttered compact SUV market with its latest XV.ValuePriced from $28,490, it is a little bigger than a $4500 cheaper Impreza but shorter, wider, lower and $2500 cheaper than a Forester The engine is a new lighter-weight and longer-stroke version of Subaru's proven 2.0-litre flat four.There are three models: 2.0 manual at $28,490 (CVT $30,990); 2.0i-L at $31,990 (CVT $34,990); and 2.0i-S at $34,490 (CVT $36,990).Standard equipment includes seven airbags, a reversing camera, stability control, all-wheel drive, five-star crash rating, automatic airconditioning, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels with a temporary spare, engine stop/start on idle, a multi-function display, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, six-speaker single CD audio with Bluetooth, iPod and USB connection, fog lights and roof rails.The 2.0i-L adds dual-zone climate control, voice-activated satellite navigation, a sunroof, privacy glass and a sliding centre console. The 2.0i-S adds leather trim, power driver's seat, heated front seats, high-intensity headlights, alloy pedals and indicators in the mirrors.TechnologyOutputs are unchanged at 110kW and 196Nm, but the peak power comes in at 6200rpm (200rpm lower) and peak torque at 4200rpm (1000rpm higher). Despite this higher torque peak, Subaru says the new engine has more pull in the low and middle-engine speed ranges.The XV retains Subaru's signature permanent all-wheel drive system, unlike rivals that are either part-time four-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. Suspension tuning is as good as it gets in this class with agile and confident handling and a smooth, compliant ride over all surfaces.DrivingIt doesn't feel all that punchy on the road, especially in the manual. In the shortish lower gears, the engine sounds strained and needs at least 2500rpm on board to respond mid-range. However, it does cruise at a relaxed 2400rpm at 100km/h in sixth gear.Not helping the driving experience is the notchy, long-throw gear shift. The test car also had a noticeable gear whine at 100km/h, not evident in the automatic. The CVT is $2500 more than the manual, but is nicer to drive and well worth the extra outlay.And the characteristic slurring of the transmission is well disguised in normal use, flaring mostly under hard acceleration or in steep terrain. With a short wheelbase, high clearance and small overhangs front and rear, the XV will go places its rivals would shy from. It is exceptionally competent off-road, if the tracks are dry and not steep enough to warrant low range.ThirstWith the help of engine stop/start on idle, fuel use is a combined 7.3L/100km with the six-speed manual and 7.0L/100km in the constantly variable transmission. On test, it averaged 7.4L/100km in the manual and 7.2L/100km in the CVT. Other efficiency tricks include variable timing on all valves and electric power steering in addition to the revised transmissions.An information display monitors driving style and fuel use and compares it with previous results. It even shows the amount of fuel saved while stationary in engine stop mode. However, those who prefer tranquil motoring will find the engine's harsh cranking intrusive enough to disengage the stop/start function when idling, especially in the manual.DesignFar from getting lost in the crowd, the XV stands out like a beacon. The XV slots in between the Impreza, on which it is based, and the larger Forester.With big bumpers, bulging wheel arches, black alloy wheels, hawk-eye headlights and lairy colours, this pumped-up five-door hatch looks and feels almost armour-plated. Inside, the trim colour is sombre, but all the main controls are clear and easy to use and storage space is generous.The front seats are supportive and spacious, forward vision is good, and seats are set high for easy entry and exit. Load space is tight and not helped by the high boot floor covering an inflated space-saver spare tyre.