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Subaru XV vs Ford Puma

What's the difference?

VS
Subaru XV
Subaru XV

$26,990 - $39,990

2021 price

Ford Puma
Ford Puma

$19,880 - $34,640

2021 price

Summary

2021 Subaru XV
2021 Ford Puma
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Flat 4, 2.0L

Turbo 3, 1.0L
Fuel Type
Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
7.0L/100km (combined)

5.3L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Thrashy 2.0L engine
  • Hybrid not super efficient
  • Small boot

  • Dreary dashboard presentation
  • No cheaper base-grade or manual options
  • Requires 95 RON premium unleaded petrol
2021 Subaru XV Summary

Subaru has always been a good fit for Australia.

Since the '90s, when the brand made a big splash with its rally derived Impreza and Liberty, Subaru’s rugged appeal has suited Australia’s tough conditions and recreationally adventurous buyers.

Cars like the Forester and Outback solidified the brand’s place amongst SUVs before SUVs were really a thing, and the XV is the logical progression of the Impreza range, slotting nicely into the brand's offerings of lifted all-wheel-drive wagons.

It’s been a few years since the XV launched, however, so can its latest 2021 update keep it in the fight in a quickly evolving and notoriously competitive segment against many newer rivals? We’ve taken a look at the whole range to find out.

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2021 Ford Puma Summary

S FAR as makeovers go, Hollywood has nothing on the transformation of Ford's small SUV.

Based on the Fiesta supermini only sold here in sizzling ST form, but using a stretched and widened version of its platform with heavily reworked underpinnings, the strikingly styled Puma is as charming – beguiling even – as its EcoSport predecessor was awkward. And we're talking about capabilities that are more than merely skin deep here.

We're not alone in our admiration – one respected UK publication awarded the Ford a 'car of the year' gong – and after nearly a month with our range-topping ST-Line V (for Vignale), we can understand why.

But the German-engineered, Romanian-made Puma is also a complicated proposition in Australia that requires some context, because it is certainly not for everyone.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Subaru XV 2021 Ford Puma

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