Subara has announced pricing and specification levels for its new All-Wheel Drive crossover vehicle, the simply named XV.
And at £21,295 for entry-level 1.6i S model, the latest addition to the Japanese brand’s repertoire will slot in as one of the most capable and best-value-for-money compact crossovers currently available.
The Subaru XV is officially certified as the safest vehicle in its class, scoring particularly highly in the child occupant safety category. The five-star Euro NCAP-rated crossover manages to combine the tricky balance of functionality and style. And with generous levels of standard-fit equipment on board, the XV is already looking to be a safe bet.
Every XV comes equipped with two of Subaru’s core technologies – A symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and a Boxer engine. This ensures that the new XV should feel quite engaging and incredibly practical to drive in all conditions, and maybe attracting new buyers.
Three Euro V-compliant Boxer engines are offered – a 1.6 or 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel. The petrol engines develop around 116bhp and 152bhp respectively, while the 2.0-litre diesel unit churns out an adequate 149bhp with 350Nm on request. The XV is available with a choice of either a five or six-speed manual gearbox and a six-speed CVT automatic (petrol only).
Reaching 60mph in the diesel XV takes a slightly pedestrian 9.3 seconds but that won't stop this version from being the best-selling variant in the UK. It offers a class-leading fuel economy of 50.4mpg on a combined cycle, whilst emitting a lowly 146g/km of CO2. The XV also features the highest ground clearance and lowest centre of gravity in class, which will help to make it a highly capable performer both on and off road.
The entry-level S model boasts plenty of standard kit. Buyers can expect to find ABS, traction control, Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control (SVDC), front, side, curtain and knee airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, daytime LED running lights and automatic air conditioning as standard.
SE models add cruise control, rear-view camera, Bluetooth functionality and USB/iPod connectivity to that list. Meanwhile, the top-of-the-range SE Lux Premium model also comes with a sunroof, Keyless Smart Entry, push-button start, leather seats and satellite navigation. All 2.0-litre models are fitted with roof rails.
Petrol-powered XV models benefit from Subaru’s new fuel-saving Auto Start Stop System as standard, boosting fuel savings in congested traffic. It was the aim of Subaru engineers to make the engine cut-out virtually unnoticeable to the driver, and they achieved this with a time lapse between stop and start of approximately 0.2 seconds, one of the fastest currently available.
Pricing for the new XV range starts at £21,295 for the 1.6i S models, and rises to £29,995 for the range-topping 2.0D SE Lux Premium.
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