Subaru XV Reviews

Subaru's XV follows a well-trodden path, but Ford's Puma dares to be a little different. While each should appeal to different buyers, we look at the pros and cons of these two similarly priced SUVs.

The XV is such a good fit for the adventure lifestyle of Aussies, but is this key hybrid version the step into the future Subaru needs it to be? We're spending several months with this one to find out.

The 2.0i is the entry-point in the four-variant Subaru XV small SUV range, wearing an MSRP of $29,690.While it has some major ommissions it still has some decent spec items when lined up against competitors like the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Toyota C-HR and Mitsubishi ASX. Notably impressive is the all-wheel drive system, but the base XV also scores a 6.5-inch multimedia touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a 4.2-inch supervision screen, and 6.3-inch information screen, 17-inch alloy wheels with an updated design for 2021, as well as keyless entry and push-start ignition.The 2.0i is the only XV with the smaller screen and more basic interior trims. Also omitted from the base XV is the excellent EyeSight safety suite, which includes key active safety items, but even the base XV has seven airbags and is covered by a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating to the 2017 standards.The base XV is powered by a 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder boxer engine producing 115kW/196Nm and has a combined fuel consumption figure of 7.0L/100km. The XV can drink base 91RON unleaded and has a 63-litre fuel tank.All XV variants have relatively large cabins and seats with decent storage areas, while all variants also share a small boot capacity of 310-litres (VDA) for the non-hybrid or 345L for hybrids.Subaru covers the XV range with a five year and unlimited kilometre warranty and five years of capped price servicing.

The XV 2.0i-L is the second rung up in Subaru’s four-tier small SUV range. It wears an MSRP of $31,990.Competing with mid-tier variants of the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Toyota C-HR, and Mitsubishi ASX, the 2.0i-L has as standard Subaru’s signature all-wheel-drive system. It is also one of only two XV variants available as a hybrid, wearing an MSRP of $35,490.The 2.0i-L adds to the base 2.0i by adding a larger 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, a leather-appointed wheel and shifter, and premium cloth-trimmed seats, but continues with the standard 17-inch alloy wheels, halogen headlights, standard air conditioning, as well as keyless entry and push-start ignition.Importantly, the 2.0i-L is the first grade to get the forward-facing components of Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite, which includes freeway-speed auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and lead vehicle start alert.The 2.0i-L is powered by the same 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder boxer engine as the rest of the petrol range, with power outputs of 115kW/196Nm. It is CVT automatic only and drives all four wheels.Meanwhile the Hybrid L has a 2.0-litre engine with 110kW/196Nm paired to an electric motor housed in the transmission, which can assist with 12.3kW/66Nm.Petrol XVs have a relatively small boot capacity of 310 litres (VDA), while the L and S Hybrid have a 345-litre boot capacity, with these hybrid options losing the space-saver spare under the floor in favour of a puncture-repair kit.The 2.0i-L shares the range’s maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating awarded in 2017, and is covered by the brand’s five-year and unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Competing with mid-level variants of the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, and Toyota C-HR, the 2.0i-Premium offers a higher level of specification to go with its signature all-wheel-drive system. Interestingly, the 2.0i-Premium is not available as a hybrid.The 2.0i-Premium adds to the equipment on the 2.0i-L with a sliding sunroof, satellite navigation, heated wing mirrors, and as of 2021 now has the full EyeSight active safety suite.Included on the 2.0i-Premium is freeway-speed auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and lead vehicle start alert, but also blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, and rear emergency braking.Elsewhere, the 2.0i-Premium shares the 2.0i-L’s 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android auto, 4.2-inch supervision screen, and 6.3-inch information screen. It also has a leather-appointed wheel and shift lever with premium cloth interior trim, halogen headlights, and 17-inch alloy wheels.The 2.0i-Premium continues to be powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder non-turbo boxer engine producing 115kW/196Nm driving all four wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission. It has an official/combined fuel consumption of 7.0L/100km.The 2.0i-Premium has a small boot capacity of 310-litres VDA and has a space-saver spare wheel under the boot floor.All Subaru XVs are covered by the brand’s five-year warranty and capped-price-servicing programs.

The XV 2.0i-S sits atop the four-variant Subaru XV range, wearing an MSRP of $37,290.It does battle in its segment against high-spec versions of the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Mitsubishi ASX, and Toyota C-HR. The S grade is also available as a hybrid, at a price of $40,790.Standard fit includes LED headlights with auto high beams, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather-appointed interior trim with upgraded gloss and silver highlights, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with heating for the front two passengers, additional all-wheel-drive system functionality, and auto folding wing mirrors with memory and auto dipping function.While this is good kit for its class, the XV is notably missing out on a digital dash, head-up display, and the wireless charging becoming more common on top-spec small SUVs. The 2.0i-S has a small boot capacity for the class at 310-litres and has a space-saver spare in petrol versions or tyr- repair kit if chosen as a hybrid.It also has a fully featured “EyeSight” active safety suite consisting of  freeway-speed auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lead vehicle start alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, and rear emergency braking. All XVs have a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating as of 2017.The 2.0i is powered by a 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder boxer engine producing 115kW/196Nm, and if chosen as a hybrid has a similar engine producing 110kW/196Nm paired to an electric motor, which can make use of 12.3kW/66Nm and is housed in the continuously variable automatic transmission.The XV has an official/combined fuel-consumption figure of 7.0L/100km for the petrol or 6.5L/100km for the hybrid.All Subaru XVs are covered by the brand’s five-year warranty and capped price servicing programs.

Subaru has always been a good fit for Australia, but can the XV keep up in a rapidly changing small SUV field?

The Subaru XV Hybrid L gains a number of subtle upgrades for 2021, with a more responsive transmission, improved ride and more better steering leading the changes. Equipment levels have also risen, but not performance - and this may disappoint some. Pure EV range is also negligible. However, the net result is a polished, comfortable, frugal and fun compact crossover offering quality and value.

Subaru's XV is a continued success for the brand despite being due for an update. Does it still stand up, or should you consider one of many popular alternatives? We answer all your questions to help you decide.

The Subaru XV Hybrid might not be quite what you're expecting - best to read this first, then.