Top 3 safety features on a Subaru XV
Subarus are highly-regarded for their safety credentials, and have been for many years. Not only do they offer the driving security that comes with AWD traction, but intelligent design and technology also add excellent occupant protection and strong collision-avoidance abilities. We investigate some key features that make the Subaru XV a very safe family car.
All the features discussed here underpin the entire XV range: Even if some of the electronic gadgets are only fitted to the high-trim “ES” variant, the underlying hardware nonetheless gives it solid safety credentials. Standard safety features across both trim levels include ABS, stability control 7 airbags, rear ISOFIX child seat anchors, and a 5-star Euro-NCAP crash safety rating.
Related: To find out more about Subaru EyeSight, have a look at our Forester video review.
Other features that boost the Subaru XV’s safety credentials include:
1. Symmetrical AWD
Even with many other mass-market cars offering available all-wheel drive these days, Subaru’s design is still unique. It combines the benefits of permanent AWD, featuring equal-length driveshafts as a result of the longitudinal transmission placement, with the low centre of gravity achieved by using a “Boxer” engine.
This “Boxer” configuration is also known as a horisontally-opposed engine, with two banks of two cylinders each, placed in a flat (horisontal) plane. This means added complexity, because it needs two separate cylinder heads and four cams instead of two, but it also allows for a shorter front overhang and lower engine location. As a result, the engine’s weight is placed closer to the ground and as far backwards as possible, leading to sure-footed handling and optimised traction.
Related: What is covered by the Subaru XV manufacturer’s warranty?
2. Subaru Global Platform
Much has already been said about the New Subaru Global Platform, but it still merits closer investigation. The most noteworthy feature of this new platform is its increased use of high-strength steel in its core construction, which improves bodyshell rigidity and provides better control over the dissipation of impact forces in the event of a collision.
First introduced in the current-generation Subaru Impreza, its use has been expanded to include the new Forester and Legacy families. As a result, the entire current Subaru model range have superb crash-test ratings, largely due to their new, 40%-stiffer body shells.
Related: The Subaru Impreza is essentially the sedan version of the XV, and we detail some of its other safety features here.
3. Occupant safety cell
Largely constructed of high-tensile strength steel, the “Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame” comprises the firewall, roof pillars, side frame pressings and floor cross-members, all arranged in a ring-like design to create a rigid “cage” around the XV’s occupants. (Nerd Alert: This short video from the Canadian Subaru website explains the frame design with some pretty CGI.)
This enabled the engineers to direct impact forces away from the occupants, and leads the crash energy into controlled energy dissipation areas away from the passengers. Combined with progressive crumple zone deformation, the reduced peak deceleration experienced during a collision leads to a lower risk of injury. Most modern cars are built around this principle, so it’s not a fundamentally unique approach, but Subaru’s application is an especially successful example.
Related: Top 3 things you need to know about the Subaru XV.
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