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I Spend Time With The Subaru XV

Quick Facts

  • Engine: 2.0i-ES (EyeSight) Four-Cylinder CVT engine with AWD
  • Power/Torque: 115Kw/196 nm
  • Fuel Consumption:7.3l/100km - I managed 8.1l/100km
  • Price From: R436 000

Now in its second generation, the Subaru XV is the first step buyers would take should they want a compact SUV. I spent a week with the Subaru XV 2.0i-ES model which is the top of the range model and priced at R499 000. It has left me very impressed and wanting more. 

How does it Drive?

Powered by a 2.0 CVT petrol boxer engine producing 115kW and 196nm of torque, the Subaru XV is not a performance vehicle. However, it does drive well in town and on highways, it runs smoothly and smartly through the gears without any real fuss, the only minor issue I had was overtaking, it is a bit slow in changing down and once it does, the CVT does make a slight noise and It’s a bit slow overall, but as stated, the Subaru XV is not a performance vehicle, rather a practical offering. Fuel consumption is claimed to be 7.3l/100km and my test unit average 8.1l/100km which is not too bad considering that the XV has a 63-litre fuel tank. 

I struggled to feel any road noise while driving at 120km/h and this was a big thing for me, the cabin is well insulated and as most people will be doing, you will be listening to music so even if you do hear some road noise, the sound in the car will cancel that. 

Because of the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive System (this system distributes power to all four wheels for better traction), the higher ground clearance and the wheel arches, off-roading is amazing, the Subaru XV shines on any terrain. 

On the exterior, the Subaru is easy on the eye, the first noticeable features would be the way the car stands, the 220mm ground clearance ensures that you are able to tackle any terrain while the wheel arches protect you from scratches and the aluminium alloy wheels which give the XV a sporty appeal. The Subaru XV comes with all-round LED lights, as well as the signature DRLs (day running lights), making night vision a bliss. 

The LED headlights are automatic and also feature a functionality call Steering Responsive Headlight (SRH), what this does is that it when you curve at night, the illumination of the headlights moves left or right according to the steering wheel of the visibility. 

The Subaru XV comes in 8 colours namely; 

Sunshine Orange,  Crystal Black Silica, Cool Grey Khaki (my test model colour), Crystal White Pearl, Dark Blue Pearl, Dark Grey Metalic, Ice Silver Metalic as well as Quartz Blue Pearl. 

Interior

The Subaru XV's interior is a place that I could not stay out of, the material is of pure quality and where there are plastics, its high-quality material too. Comfort access ensures easy entry into the XV while Smartphone connectivity is standard in the range. however, I do feel that it would have been better wirelessly, if you do want to connect wirelessly you can use the Bluetooth connectivity. 

An 8 inch Touch Screen Infotainment System is the highlight of the interior, sitting just above it is a Multifunctional Display which displays all your offroading data, fuel consumption as well as date and time.  Steering wheel controls are available making sure that you control everything without looking away. 

The rear seats are very spacious and can easily fit 3 adults or 2 adults and a young person/baby. I do feel that there should have been air vents or USB ports for rear passengers. You will also find two cup holders in the centre armrest. 

Interior round up;

Navigation, Aux, Dual USB ports, Two 12V sockets, Dual Zone Climate Control. 

Safety Features

The Subaru XV comes with various safety features, Lane Departure warning, reverse camera, High Beam Assist, Reverse Automatic Braking and Blind Spot Monitoring. My favourite feature has to be the EyeSight System,  The EyeSight Adaptive Cruise Control lets the system automatically adjust your speed to keep a set distance from the vehicle ahead. By constantly monitoring distance and speed, it adjusts the engine, transmission and brakes to maintain speed in line with the traffic flow.

Verdict

The compact SUV is a very tough market which every manufacturer is trying to break into, buyers are also leaning more towards Compact SUVs and I have to say that the Subaru XV is a true contender in the segment, you get a lot of bang for your money and after spending quite some time with the Subaru XV, I would definitely recommend buyers test driving it before making any other choices. The Symmetrical AWD system as well as EyeSight Technology is something that everyone needs. 

Pricing

SUBARU XV 2.0i CVT - R436 000

SUBARU XV 2.0i-S ES - R499 000

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