- For: All-weather ability, equipment, hybrid option
- Against: Limited choice, CVT transmission, running costs
- Verdict: Practical and dependable, it reaches the parts a crossover cannot
Not to be confused with a half-hearted crossover, the Subaru XV is a proper SUV that’s more than capable of tackling the rough stuff.
Because of its permanent all-wheel drive, it’s going to be more expensive to run than many of its front-wheel-drive rivals. Nonetheless, few cars of this nature offer such a degree of all-weather dependability.
For 2020, the 1.6-litre petrol engine will be joined by a hybrid version, which boasts a 2.0-litre petrol-electric powertrain.
Prices start from £28,000, so the XV isn’t cheap, but the cost is justified by a long list of standard equipment, a quality-rich cabin, five-year warranty and five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
It won’t be cheap to run either, although the hybrid will help matters, while the CVT auto transmission is a frustration.
However, there’s an overall sense that the XV is built to last and will provide years of loyal service.
KEY INFO
- Launched: 2018
- Facelifted: TBC
- Due for replacement: TBC