Subaru XV (2021) Review

Subaru updated its XV earlier this year and we’ve had a chance to review the firm’s refreshed all-wheel-drive crossover, which seemed so ahead of its time when it debuted in 2012. Now that the 2nd-generation model is 4 years old, is it still a strong contender in a segment that’s positively bursting with high-riding family cars?

We like: Excellent refinement, all-weather and all-terrain stability, comprehensive specification, smart safety tech.

We don’t like: Unengaging powertrain, limited load-bay capacity

Fast Facts:

• Model tested: Subaru XV 2.0i-S ES
• Price: R509 000 (November 2021)
• Engine: 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder petrol
• Power/Torque: 115 kW and 196 Nm
• Transmission: CVT
• Fuel efficiency: 7.3 L/100 km (claimed)
• 0-100 kph: 10.4 sec (estimated)
• ​​Load capacity: 310-1 220 litres

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Where does the Subaru XV fit in?

Subaru had the idea to produce a high-riding and all-wheel-driven crossover when the segment was still in its infancy. The XV’s styling is understated, but the test unit’s bold metallic paint finish makes up for it.

Subaru has quite a strong reputation among petrolheads. Who could ever forget those rally-inspired Impreza WRX STIs with their bonnet scoops, gold rims and boot-lid scaffolding as they huffed and banged their way around town? These days, however, although the WRX and its STI variant are still around, the Shibuya-based firm is best known for its SUV line-up; in fact, the brand has a loyal and devoted following.

You see, the Forester family car and its Outback station wagon sibling are a lot more practical and capable than their conservative designs suggest. Although hardcore 4×4 enthusiasts still favour chassis-based vehicles with low-range transfer cases, Subaru’s combination of symmetrical all-wheel drive and good ground clearance has allowed the Japanese marque’s products to travel further faster than most unibody family cars.

With the SUV body style (still) all the rage in the vehicle market, it makes perfect business sense for Subaru to turn its focus to the crossover/family car segment. Don’t get us wrong, the booted Impreza still has its place and is a competent product (plus there is a new WRX model on the way), but the reality is the compact-sedan segment is in decline – and new-vehicle sales statistics bear that out. 

In a market that’s dominated by passenger-car models with off-roader-inspired styling (but little in the way of genuine all-road ability), the XV is the real deal.  

In a way, Subaru anticipated this market trend well and launched its XV crossover as long ago as 2012. Now, almost 10 years on, the updated version of the 2nd-generation model has touched down in South Africa. The XV has undergone only minor changes, but the brand is hopeful that the updates will help the XV to keep pace with the latest offerings in this rapidly growing segment.

Some of the noteworthy upgrades to the 2021 Subaru XV include a mild visual update at the front of the vehicle; customers have a choice of new exterior colours; the addition of 2 drive modes; an upgraded front-facing camera safety system; memory seat functionality for the driver, plus the Japanese manufacturer says it has tweaked the model’s suspension and steering for more comfort and better responses respectively.

> Read more: Subaru XV Latest specs and pricing

Suffice to say, the segment in which the Subaru XV competes is bursting at the seams! Almost every brand is offering some form of crossover, but the customer who buys a Subaru will be after something that offers more-than-nominal “gravel travel” ability. We’ve narrowed this down to vehicles that offer all-wheel drive and are priced between R500 000 and R600 000 – there aren’t many of them.

The first rival out of the blocks is the Volkswagen T-Roc 2.0TSI 140kW 4Motion Designwith its 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder and 4Motion all-wheel drive. The next is an interesting offering from Jeep, the 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated Renegade 4×4 Trailhawk, which has a 4WD Low mode built into its electronic stability control system.

Use the Cars.co.za Compare Tool and see how the Subaru XV stacks up against its immediate rivals

If you’re not too bothered by off-roading capability and don’t want to spend more than R550 000, you could also look at models such as the Toyota Corolla Cross, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Peugeot 2008 or one of the very underrated offerings from Haval.

How the Subaru XV fares in terms of…

Design and packaging

At first glance, the Subaru XV looks like a run-of-the-mill hatchback with a fetching metallic paint finish and handsome dual-tone 18-inch alloy wheels… You could be forgiven for thinking: “Just how capable could it possibly be (when it’s not travelling on ashalt)?” Well, with 220 mm of ride height, symmetrical all-wheel-drive system and protective black cladding, this model can take you a lot further off-road than you think, but more on that later…

Step inside and the first thing you’ll notice is the large infotainment screen. Subaru knows the XV is aimed at the younger generation who crave connectivity, so the model comes with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility and 4x USB ports. It’s not an entirely touchscreen-based interface either – there are plenty of conventional buttons. There’s a lot to take in – at first glance, you could be a little overwhelmed by the myriad displays and switches.

Still, there’s a youthful look and feel about the cabin, with plenty of premium touches such as the leather-trimmed seats with orange contrast stitching and piano-black gloss plastic inserts.

Although the interior design is quite conservative by contemporary standards, the cabin is well finished and the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto infotainment setup is a boon.

Marginal luggage capacity has been a drawback of the XV (both generations) and sadly the post-facelift iteration fares no better in that regard. In a segment that’s all about families and the lifestyle market, the Subaru’s 310 litres is just not sufficient for the model to be considered a compact family car. You can fold down the 60/40-split rear seatback to get more space, but if load-carrying ability is important, look elsewhere.

The Subaru’s load bay isn’t that short, it’s just notably shallower than those of its front-wheel-drive rivals.

Despite the small load bay, the rest of the cabin is airy and spacious. Even if there isn’t much space for luggage, the XV’s rear legroom is quite generous. We wonder if Subaru’s designers were told “you can have one or the other, not both” and they opted to prioritise rear legroom… This author conducted the sit-behind-yourself test and despite my tall stature, I was satisfied with the aft knee- and headroom.

Comfort and safety features

Subaru’s products are usually loaded with a generous list of features and the updated XV is no exception. There are 2 derivatives on offer with a price difference of R64 000. In this top-spec derivative, you are afforded, inter alia, a sunroof, Xenon lights, auto wipers and -lights, LED foglights, keyless entry and start, rear parking sensors and reverse-view camera, leather trim, as well as the Subaru EyeSight safety suite.

The upgraded Subaru EyeSight system is excellent but can be intrusive if you’re not paying attention. For example, if you’ve stopped at an intersection and the traffic ahead of you then pull away, the car will alert you to that fact. When a pedestrian crossed in front of the XV at one point during the test (they weren’t at risk), the EyeSight cameras detected them, sounded an alert and automatically applied a mild braking force.

Among other things, the digital display atop the dashboard shows the incline at which the vehicle is travelling. 

During our photoshoot for this review, we attempted to reverse really close to the edge of a wheat field and the car hit the brakes automatically when it calculated that we were in danger of “colliding with the scenery”. It sounds like overkill and, yes, you can dial back the system’s sensitivity, but I didn’t. Instead, I used the systems to make me a better driver, by driving more conservatively and observing safer following distances. Subaru’s EyeSight system also includes radar-guided cruise control as well as lane-keeping assist. There are also 7 airbags.

There’s a really cool secondary screen that displays info such as a real-time economy figure, vehicle pitch angle (for when you’re off-roading) and a quick summary of the dual-zone climate control settings.

Ride and handling

Thanks to a tweak of the XV’s suspension, Subaru’s crossover blends surefootedness with a pliant ride quality and admirable body control. 

Under the bonnet sits a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 115 kW and 196 Nm. Power goes to all 4 wheels via a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT). Now, at this point, you may suspect this mechanical combination won’t be the most engaging of powertrains – and you’d be right. Subaru has gone the refinement and efficiency route; therefore, the XV is a competent cruiser.

One of the updates to the XV sees the introduction of some additional drive modes (over and above the X-Mode settings). Dubbed Subaru Intelligent Drive, customers have the choice between Standard and Sport, which is controlled by a button on the steering wheel. Hitting that Sport button doesn’t make a huge difference… other than a slight increase in responsiveness.

Although the XV’s continuously variable automatic transmission doesn’t facilitate driver engagement, it suits the model’s load-back, easygoing demeanour.

This powertrain can be a bit sluggish to respond, particularly when you’re executing 80-120 kph overtaking manoeuvres. Outright acceleration isn’t great either – Subaru’s claim of 10.4 sec for the 0-to-100 kph sprint underscores that. The CVT is smooth (we stand by our claim that Subaru produces the best versions of these transmissions), but if you floor the accelerator pedal, don’t expect a sudden surge of power.

The main benefits of going the CVT route are the economy and cruising comfort, and while we couldn’t get close to the manufacturer’s claimed fuel consumption, 8.1 L/100 km was a fair result.

This latest round of updates also sees Subaru implement some minor changes to the XV’s suspension and steering setups and, while we’ve never had misgivings about the Japanese crossover’s driving manners, the facelifted model’s ride quality feels even more polished and composed while riding on its stylish 18-inch wheels.

The suspension’s pliancy is excellent, providing suppleness and effortlessly soaking up imperfections in the road. Despite its hiked-up ride height, body roll is kept to a minimum and we’re left wondering about the potential of an XV with a turbo engine. Imagine, a Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 rival!

Symmetrical all-wheel drive remains the best part of the XV. It’s not a part-time setup (as on most top-end crossovers) and is very handy in inclement weather. During this unit’s tenure in our test fleet, we once drove home in a heavy rainstorm that lashed Cape Town. In torrential rain and on a stretch of road that’s known for aquaplaning, the XV felt sure-footed and composed; not once did it lose grip.

When you travel on low-grip (non-sealed) road surfaces, the Subaru’s X-Modes provides additional peace of mind.  

Then there’s the “gravel travel” aspect. We’ve always maintained that the basis for a credible off-roader (even a part-time one) is decent ground clearance and some form of all-wheel drive, and the XV has both. While the Subaru doesn’t feature a low-range transfer case, the CVT and the X-Mode off-road system actually enables you to travel pretty far off the beaten track.

X-Mode incorporates snow/dirt/deep snow/mud settings, as well as hill descent control and, while we didn’t venture too far into the proverbial bundu, there’s a reason why Subarus are hugely popular in the United States and Canada (countries that endure harsh winter conditions). Thanks to the XV’s 220 mm of ground clearance, you’ll be able to clear most obstacles on an unsealed road surface.

How much does the Subaru XV cost in South Africa?

The Subaru XV range starts from R445 000, while this top-spec derivative costs R509 000. The vehicle is sold with a 3-year/75 000km maintenance plan, as well as a 5-year/150 000 km warranty, both of which can be optionally extended.

> Read more: Subaru XV Latest specs and pricing

Verdict

Now in the 2nd half of its product cycle, the XV still impresses as a comprehensively equipped alternative to premium marques’ crossovers, most of which don’t offer all-wheel drive.

The changes that Subaru has applied to its crossover might be considered minor, but the XV continues to deliver the goods. The 2017/18 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards category finalist impressed us back then (when this model was new) with its equipment levels (especially safety features), ride quality, occupant comfort as well as all-terrain competence (within reason). This updated model is no different.

Should you buy one? With new car prices reaching stratospheric heights, it’s indeed a challenge to find a well-thought-out and generously equipped compact crossover that is seemingly as adept on gravel as on asphalt roads, especially one that comes equipped with excellent semi-autonomous safety features as standard. Even if the XV remains the nonconformist’s choice, those who appreciate its product concept will be not be disappointed. 

If you’re prepared to live with the Subaru’s smallish load bay and uninvolving driving experience, then the XV makes a compelling case for itself in comparison to other crossovers (of the premium compact variety). If you’re really concerned about its limited cargo-carrying capacity, perhaps you should consider investing in a Thule roof box…