Subaru XV

While the Subaru XV manages to look funky and sporty on the outside, the interior cabin of the crossover lacks the zing and youthfulness. The cabin is feature-rich, however, the layout if pretty simple for a car of this kind.

The three-spoke multi-functional steering wheel with broad spokes and the simple instrument console combine to form a functional driver’s cockpit. The centre console has a broad design with a large touchscreen infotainment system placed in between vertically placed trapezoidal AC vents, which do get a soft-touch dashboard in a layered pattern. What adds a slight touch of visual drama is contrasting orange stitching themes for the all-black cabin.

With features like the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, powered driver’s seat, push-button start with keyless entry, automatic climate control, paddle shifters, electric sunroof, leather upholstery, and tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, the Subaru XV is modern enough to match the segment standards. And thanks to the long wheelbase, the crossover feels very spacious for passengers as well as luggage.

The Subarus are not known to be flashy in terms of the way they look, however, the designers at Subaru this time have ensured that the XV manages to look noteworthy and a bit more special. In typical crossover fashion, the Subaru XV has a laid back silhouette, which does manage to look rugged thanks to body cladding all around.

The front fascia of the Subaru XV has the same trapezoidal grille with tapered upper edges as in every other Subaru vehicle, with a sleek dark chrome bar in the middle of this grille. The beak-shaped headlamps look very nice and with inverted L-shaped daytime running LEDs, they manage to catch one’s attention.

Coming to the sides, the Subaru XV has some interesting details including star-shaped machined alloy wheels, large and functional roof rails and chrome finished door handles and window shoulder line. 

The rear profile of the Subaru XV looks busy, with large inverted L-shaped tail lamps and the license plate housing in the middle of the rear hatch, which completely resembles the front grille. While the black coloured roof spoiler makes the XV look sporty, we would have loved to see the rear skid plates finished in silver, and not body colored.

Following the traditional virtue of Subaru of having a class-leading ride and handling balance, the Subaru XV has been blessed with finely balanced suspension setup of Macpherson struts at the front and double wishbone at the rear. The ride quality feels supple and the steering is well-weighted across the speed range.

The Subaru XV sources its power from a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine under its hood, which is available only with a CVT gearbox as standard. The engine is healthy enough to make 156 PS of maximum power output and 196 Nm of maximum torque output.

The feature-rich Subaru XV is well equipped in terms of safety as well, with the crossover getting noteworthy inclusions like the front, side, curtain and knee airbags, ABS with EBD, active torque vectoring, brake assist, brake override, vehicle dynamics control, front and rear parking sensors with camera, electronic parking brake, blind-spot detection, lane change assist, high beam assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Subaru XV is not an out and out off-roading vehicle with full prowess on surfaces off the tarmac. However, with sturdy mechanicals, powerful petrol engine, and sorted suspension setup, it manages to drive over broken tarmacs with ease. The rugged styling too plays a major role in making it an attractive package.