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I'll be one of the first to admit that when I hear of the Subaru brand, my mind instinctively goes to the Impreza, then maybe the Forester. After a bit of a think, I'll consider the Legacy and then remember the Outback. One of the models that don't spring to mind is the XV. Heck, I'll remember the obscure SVX and 360 before the XV registers in my grey matter. I have no idea why that is, but the XV is just one of those models that have always managed to fly below the radar for me.
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The second generation XV was dropped on us in 2017 and the 2022 model year has received a mild facelift with some additional tech and safety features. If you're in the market for a crossover SUV that's based on the Impreza platform and competitively priced, you'd actually be rather silly not to try an XV on for size.
Styling
The Subaru XV truly embodies the crossover moniker looking like a blend between a hatchback, estate, and SUV. The sloping rear deck gives the impression of sportiness while the black cladding alludes to its rugged, off-road prowess. The XV is still very well specced as standard and you're still going to get LED lighting, a sunroof and roof rails as part of the package price. Alloy wheels are also standard fare but for the 2022 model year these have been redesigned, the regular 2.0 rolling on 17-inch alloys while the ES model get the 18-inch versions.
The 2022 model year sees the front end revised a little with a new bumper design and lower grille element. The black cladding is reprofiled and is sculpted around the front fog lamps. If there were any doubts about the XV's off-road prowess, they're quickly dispelled and the updated XV now looks more the part than ever.
Customers are also treated to several new colours. Horizon Blue Pearl replaces the previous Quartz Blue and Plasma Yellow with its hints of green replaces the vibrant Sunshine Orange. At the rear, not much has changed and you're still treated to LED element combination lamps and the obligatory offline spoiler atop the hatch.
Space & Interior
The XV is not as small as one would think and at the same time, it's not that big that it's cumbersome or difficult to drive. In fact, positioning the XV on the road and in a parking lot is rather easy with a wonderful, clear view of the road and surroundings.
The interior has not been updated all that much for the 2022 model year but drivers are now treated to a memory function for the driver's seat. You're still getting the 8-inch infotainment system and X-Mode for the rough stuff but Subaru has added SI-Drive, Subaru's drive mode selection function. This will reprofile the throttle response and allows the driver to select between an economy setting or a more sporty one for enthusiastic driving.
Boot space remains unchanged at 310-litre with that space expandable to 1220-litres when the seats are folded forward.
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Comfort & Convenience
The aforementioned infotainment system is only one part of the comfort and convenience offerings in the XV. Equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the system will connect seamlessly with your mobile phone, offering you all your in-car approved apps such as navigation, audio streaming and even Whatsapp. It's replete with voice control for simple tasks and function switching.
It's been bolstered with the additional of the Front View Monitor for the 2022 model year, making tasks like parking and off-road galavanting a safer and more pleasurable experience with minimized risk to the front end of the XV.
Performance
It's in the performance stakes where the XV is a bit of a letdown, sadly. The South African market is yet to receive the updated, more powerful engine that has been implemented in other territories and as such still finds itself outclassed in the power stakes by its market contemporaries.
115 kW and 196 Nm are on hand in the XV and this is before it passes through the only gearbox option, a CVT unit and then is further stunted by the permanent all-wheel-drive delivery system. While this unit is rather lacklustre at the coast it's positively asthmatic at the reef with the engine straining even on the slightest uphill. It's rather sad, really. I had such high hopes for the drive of the XV.
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Fuel Economy
Subaru claims an average fuel consumption of 7.3 l/100km on the combined cycle from either of the XV models on offer. This is an optimistic claim though and our test run saw it returning just South of the 10 l/100km on some longer journeys with 10 to 11 l/100km the norm.
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Safety
What it takes with one hand (the performance) it gives with the other, thankfully. So all is not lost. You will struggle to find a vehicle as safe as the Subaru XV. If the safety of your family is high on your priority list, then it's certainly worth considering.
I mentioned the Front View Camera earlier in this review and that forms part of the Vision Assist package in the XV. In this ensemble you get the benefits of Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Change Asisst, Reverse Automatic Braking, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Then we've only touched on a fraction of the safety systems that range from the integrated roll-cage, whiplash mitigation headrests, complement of 7 airbags, and of course, EyeSight, Subaru's own driver assistance system with adaptive cruise control, automatic braking and collision mitigation.
Top 3 safety features on a Subaru XV
Price
There are two models on offer and we tested the ES model that comes in at R509 000. Considering the competition and the tech included in the XV, the pricing is rather competitive.
| Model | Price (incl. VAT) |
| Subaru XV 2.0i | R445 000 |
| Subaru XV 2.0i-S ES | R509 000 |
Competitors
If you're comparing apples with apples, you'll need to look at other naturally aspirated vehicles in the same class. This will give you the likes of the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30. Most of the others will offer a little more spice in the engine department with smaller, more efficient, and more powerful engines. You'd be amiss to ignore the likes of the KIA Seltos or the rather interesting Peugeot 2008.
Verdict
The XV is going to remain where it is in my mind sadly. Locked away and oft forgotten. It certainly didn't make enough of an impression the way the 2001 Impreza WRX did, or the 1998 22B STI did, so they will retain top honours, thanks.
If you're in the market for an agreeable crossover and outright performance isn't the be-all and end-all of your ownership experience then you will love the flexibility, practicality and more overly, the safety of the updated Subaru XV.
