2023 Subaru XV: Engines, pricing, timing and everything we know so far about the Toyota Corolla Cross, Kia Seltos SUV rival

It has been five years since Subaru launched its hugely successful second-generation XV, but it looks like a new version is just around the corner.

Subaru revealed a teaser image this week on its Japanese site, confirming only that it would be revealing a new SUV on September 15.

The Japanese carmaker did not announce that it would be the XV - dubbed Crosstrek in North America - but as far as model launch cadence goes, the XV is next in line.

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The current Forester has only been around since 2019 and the Outback was replaced with an all-new early model last year. And given the North American market Ascent large SUV is not offered globally, and it only launched in 2018, everything is pointing to a new XV debut.

Subaru has kept its cards close to its chest on the third-generation XV - something the company is very good at.

But some information has been revealed in the lead up to the new model’s debut.

One key tidbit from Japan’s BestCarWeb is that Subaru will drop the XV moniker and replace it with Crosstrek globally. Given Subaru referred to the reveal as simply an ‘SUV’ and didn’t mention a model name, that could well be true.

What else do we know about the next Subaru XV?

The XV rendering from the rear (Image credit: kolesa.ru)

Platform and engines

While it’s a next-gen model, the 2023 XV is expected to continue to use its scalable Subaru Global Platform that currently underpins all of its models, with the exception of the BRZ sports car.

BestCarWeb says it will now use the same version of the platform as the Levorg, which is sold in Australia as the WRX wagon.

Which brings us to our next point. Traditionally the XV is heavily based on the Impreza hatchback. It is unclear if the next XV will share a lot with the next-generation Impreza.

That model has been dropped from the UK and parts of Europe as the company focuses on SUVs, but Subaru execs told CarsGuide early this year that the company was committed to the small hatch and sedan in Australia.

Regardless of what happens with Impreza, expect the powertrains for the XV to carry over, albeit with some tweaks. The current model uses a 115kW/196Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and a 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain - both paired with a continuously variable transmission and of course offered as standard with all-wheel drive.

The only possible change could be the addition of the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine that is used in some variants in North America, but that remains to be seen.

But expect improvements to efficiency and possibly a slight bump in power or torque outputs for the 2023 model.

The next XV might lose the current-gen's landscape touchscreen on favour of a portrait style.

Design and interior

You’d hardly call Subaru daring when it comes to design, and that is likely to continue with the new XV.

Subaru has sharpened its design up considerably for its current crop of models, specifically the WRX sedan and wagon and the Outback.

As this render from kolesa.ru shows, the next XV should get an even sharper look while remaining faithful to the current model so as not to alienate too many buyers. Another softly softly approach from Subaru.

The renders suggest narrower headlights and tail-lights and changes to the fascia.

Inside, expect a more modern take on the current cabin. If it follows the lead of the Outback, it should adopt a new larger portrait style touchscreen that will dominate the centre stack. That will replace the smaller landscape unit in the current model.

It will also likely have fewer buttons and lose the smaller screen that sits above the touchscreen.

The current XV has been on sale since 2017.

Pricing

The current XV starts from $33,190 before on-road costs for the entry-level XV 2.0i-L and tops out at $42,090 for the 2.0 Hybrid S. Subaru dropped the sub-$30,000 base 2.0i variant in June this year.

As it’s a new-gen model, expect some sort of price rise, but given Subaru wants to remain competitive against its rivals, it shouldn’t be dramatic.

Of course, it will come with the latest suite of EyeSight driver assistance features and will get an uptick in standard specification.

The broad range of rivals for the XV include the GWM Haval Jolion, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, MG ZS, Mitsubishi ASX and Eclipse Cross, Nissan Qashqai, Suzuki Vitara and Toyota C-HR. Arguably its biggest competition will come in the form of the upcoming Toyota Corolla Cross that will be in showrooms by the end of this year.

Timing

Given Subaru is expected to reveal the new XV in mid-September, it could hit local dealerships by mid-2023.

Of course, that will be dependent on supply and whether Subaru continues to be impacted by the ongoing semic-nductor and parts shortage.

Whatever happens, keep an eye on CarsGuide as we bring the latest on the XV as soon as it lands.