Subaru XV 2018 Review by Xcite™ Alexey Kovalenko

At first glance, it seems that this one is yet another small hatchback we’re used to reviewing. However, the newest Subaru XV already made a lot of noise among auto reviewers thanks to the improvements it received. An improved handling, comfortable ride, and quality materials give it a good chance to become a best seller in Australia and all around the world.

XV 2018 is a typical Subaru: perfectly built, very safe, and with good ergonomics. The manufacturer aims to maintain its share of the lucrative crossover market with this one, and even surpass the success of the model’s predecessor, Subaru XV, the first version of which was released back in 2012.

Let’s see if this one has what it takes to compete in this class.

What’s New in 2018?

Essentially, the new XV is an upgraded Impreza hatchback. The exterior bears a distinct resemblance to the lower-riding sibling and the predecessor. For example, like the sibling, this one rides on the new Global Platform that has improved mounting points and front-strut suspension.

This means that driving the new XV is much better than the previous generation. Test drives showed that body roll was reduced along with vibrations and noise. As the result, the vehicle feels much tauter and delivers an excellent ride comfort and compliance.

Also, XV rides high: you’ve got almost 23 centimeters of ground clearance, so no worries on rocky roads.

The interior has also been treated to a subtle but interesting upgrade. For example, the designers improved the quality of materials used in the cabin by using soft-touch plastics. As for amenities, the model packs a usual set: sunroof, push start button, great infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, power seats, and dual-zone climate control.

You will also be pleasantly surprised by the fact that the manufacturer increased the width of XV by 3.3 centimeters in the rear and 2.7 centimeters in the front. As the result, the model boasts an additional legroom both in the front and the rear.

Moreover, the increase in dimensions also resulted in benefits for cargo volume, which is now 310 litres with the seats up and 765 litres with seats down (Impreza has 345 litres, so pay attention if you need to accommodate more stuff).

What about Powertrain?

Under the hood, we find a familiar 2.0-litre boxer four unit with direct injection, which Subaru has used on previous models, including Impreza. The transmission is a 6-speed manual (The CVT is a $1000 option). Together, they produce 152 horsepower at 6000 rpm, which allows XV is to reach 100 km in a bit more than 10 seconds.

All trims – 2.0i, 2.0i-L, 2.0i Premium, and 2.0i-S - come with the same powertrain.

As for the fuel economy, the new XV requires about 8 litres per 100 km, which emphasizes the manufacturer’s attitude to driving.

What’s it Like to Drive?

The drive is a fairly relaxing experience, which is exactly what Subaru designers prefer. Super responsive steering, permanent all-wheel drive, smooth transmission, and comfortable sets make XV 2018 a pleasant vehicle to have to drive.

The same could be said about off-road conditions: XV sales over rocky and muddy tracks thanks to the all-wheel drive (don’t forget about the high ground clearance as well).

Should you Buy It?

The highest trim comes at around $38,000, which is a bit surprising considering that the previous version cost $300 more. It seems that Subaru is willing to sell the new model for the price of the older generation, so this decision will be appealing to Subaru fans here in Brisbane and across Australia.

Verdict

Here at XCITE, we thought that Subaru XV 2018 is generally a good car. The decision to borrow the powertrain from older models seems a little bit disappointing, but it’s not surprising to see Subaru sticking to its principles.

We still think that an extra power would benefit the car, so we consider engine performance adequate.

All in all, the new XV is a minor evolution over the previous models, which, with the same price as the last year’s car, makes it a great option on the Australian crossover market.

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