The XV is Subaru's latest entry into the small 4x4 market and is pitched to usurp sales from the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and the Nissan Qashqai. It's offered with a range of petrol and diesel engines and features Subaru's world-renowned bank-vault build quality. Subaru are in dire financial straits at the moment and really need the XV to be good. The question is, is it?
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Latest Subaru XV Car Reviews:
The performance offered by the petrol engine under the bonnet of the XV isn’t bad at all, and the car does handle fairly well when you’re behind the wheel. However, the cabin isn’t up to the stand...
Subaru XV Overview
There are two petrol engines on offer, a 1.6-litre with 112bhp and a 2.0-litre with 148bhp but the big seller will undoubtedly be the 2.0-litre diesel which develops 145bhp. It's a fine engine too, with bags of low-down grunt, and it's impressively refined at motorway cruising speeds.
Handling is an area in which the XV disappoints. Though there's plenty of grip in the bends, the steering feels very numb and you never really develop the confidence to test that grip to the limit. The ride is also appalling, managing to feel both wallowy and firm both at the same time - quite an achievement.
On the plus side, it's big, practical and the interior feels extremely durable indeed, if a little cheap.
Background
Subaru have been making small of-road cars for donkey's years - the Outback has been around since 1995 and the Forester has been with us since 1997. The XV was unveiled at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show and goes into production in 2012.
Summary
The XV is a good car let down by a shocking ride. Whether it will pose a threat to the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 remains to be seen.
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